Friday, September 24, 2021 Print Edition

Add/drop has passed

UC Welcomes Exchange Students for Fall 2021

Nate Palmer making a big impact

NEWS | PG. 4

FEATURES | PG. 5

SPORTS| PG. 11

The

TANGERINE

VOL. LXXV

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

UCTANGERINE.COM

Former congressman and UC alumnus Sherwood Boehlert dies at 84 ◊ MATTHEW BREAULT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ◊ ISABELLA HUDZIAK NEWS EDITOR

inseparable from UC.” Boehlert’s l e g a c y hasn’t gone unrecognized at Utica College, as the Sherwood Boehlert Hall and Conference Center, formerly New Hall, was dedicated in honor of Boehlert in October 2007.

F o r m e r Republican Congressman and Central New York native S h e r w o o d Boehlert died on Sept. 20 at age 84, according to a statement from his former staff.

Boehlert, who graduated from Utica College in 1961 with a degree in public relations, served 24 years in the House of Representatives between 1983 and 2007 in the 25th, 23rd and 24th congressional districts.

Before his time in Congress and at Utica College, Boehlert served in the U.S. Army from 1956–1958.

Photo: Raymond Simon Institute As a Utica College student, Boehlert was involved in Greek life and became the Tangerine’s Sports Editor and Managing Editor.

Throughout his storied political career, he remained connected to the Mohawk Valley

and often spoke about his affinity for Utica College.

“I can remember how rooted he was in his origins, you could never separate Sherry from where he came from,” said Kim Landon, professor emeritus of journalism. “I think of him as

Utica College paid tribute to Boehlert and his contributions to the college in a statement released on social media.

“Sherwood Boehlert was a public servant in every sense of the word. He represented his constituents with respect, dignity, compassion and his deepest commitment,” according to the college.

“Utica College is honored to

count him as one of its most distinguished alumni. We join our community and the nation in mourning his passing and celebrating his legacy.”

Utica College President Laura Casamento said that she, like many others, was saddened to hear of his passing.

“Sherwood Boehlert was a distinguished alumnus and emeritus trustee of Utica College, but more than that, he was one of the College’s most ardent champions,” Casamento said. “He was an incredibly well respected member of Congress.

He carried the UC banner proudly SEE BOEHLERT P. 3

PAGE 2

STAFF

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

Fall 2021 STAFF

@UCTangerine @uc_tangerine @UC_Tangerine

UCTANGERINE.COM

Editor-In-Chief - Matthew Breault Layout Editor - Stephen Clark Managing Editor - Hannah Steyn News Editor - Isabella Hudziak Sports Editor - Emily Joss Sports Contributer - Robert Stevens Photographer - Alexandria Leland Social Media Manager - Sophie Langdon Tangerine Clerk - Charles Buckley Advisor - Mary Christopher

About The Tangerine is published weekly during the academic year by and for Utica College students. To reach a member of the staff, email tangerine@utica.edu or call 315-792-3065.

All material printed in The Tangerine is copyrighted. The Tangerine was first published as the Utica College News on Nov. 6, 1946.

Submission Policy Letters to the editor are welcomed from all members of the Utica College community.

Letters must meet fair and accurate publishing standards and contain no libelous material.

Anonymous letters to the editor will not be printed. All letters and editorials must meet the print deadline of 5 p.m. on Mondays. Please send all submissions to tangerine@utica.edu.

Takeback requests are a form of censorship and therefore not accepted.

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NEWS

PAGE 3 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 BOEHLERT FROM P.1

on Capitol Hill, never letting pass an opportunity to boast of his pride in his alma mater. As a friend, colleague, and fan, he will be deeply missed. His legacy, however, is woven into the fabric of the College.”

Landon Boehlert

knew as a

former student and close friend of late Professor Raymond Simon.

She officially met him after he was elected Oneida County Executive and he was a guest speaker in her reporting class.

“Being a graduate of Professor Simon’s discipline felt like you were part of

a family,” Landon said. “We were both Ray’s kids. I feel I’ve known him for all that time.”

One of the most striking memories of Boehlert was during the ceremony where Simon was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in 1996, Landon said. As a senior

UCTANGERINE.COM faculty member of the Public Relations department, she wrote the tribute for the degree which referenced Boehlert.

“I said that [Simon’s] influence had reached newspapers, radios and even into the halls of Congress,” said Landon, who had

been sitting next to Boehlert during the ceremony.

“When I looked at Sherry, tears were streaming down his face. It told anyone everything they needed to know, that he came from humble beginnings and appreciated everyone who supported and gave him a hand.”

Campus Safety Blotter Date Of Incident 9/14/2021 9/14/2021 9/14/2021 9/14/2021 9/16/2021 9/16/2021 9/16/2021 9/16/2021 9/16/2021 9/16/2021 9/17/2021

Time Of Incident 11:10 AM 11:20 AM 1:30 PM 1:58 PM 1:50 AM 3:49 AM 10:33 AM 11:00 AM 6:50 PM 8:30 PM 2:30 PM

9/17/2021 9/18/2021 9/18/2021 9/18/2021 9/19/2021 9/19/2021 9/19/2021 9/19/2021 9/19/2021 9/19/2021 9/20/2021 9/21/2021

9:00 PM 4:35 AM 9:00 AM 10:15 PM 2:19 AM 5:04 AM 2:26 PM 9:22 PM 10:05 PM 10:43 PM 12:30 AM 5:00 PM

Short Description Alcohol Paraphernalia Marijuana Violation Alcohol Violation Motor Vehicle Damage Student Concern Medical Assist-Injury Alcohol Violation Accident Report Motor Vehicle Accident Guest Policy Insubordination/Harassment Student Concern Fire Alarm Property Damage Insubordination to Staff Alcohol Violation Alcohol Violation Suspicious Activity Fire Alarm Guest Policy Medical Assist-Injury Fire Alarm Medical Assist-Injury

Building Tower Hall Tower Hall Bell Hall Parking Lot North Hall North Hall North Hall North Hall North Hall North Hall

Pioneer Village B Pioneer Village A North Hall South Hall North Hall North Hall Clark Athletic Center Tower Hall North Hall South Hall North Hall

NEWS

PAGE 4 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

UCTANGERINE.COM

Add/drop has passed, students express concerns ◊ ISABELLA HUDZIAK NEWS EDITOR The fall semester deadline to add or drop a class was on Friday, Sept.

3. In recent years, there has been some student concern over the quick add/ drop date and whether it could be changed.

The period for add/drop is the same each semester and some students feel that a week is not long enough to decide on classes.

The first Friday of the semester is too fast to gauge how a class will actually be and the process to change it is more difficult than a week allows, math education major Jessilyn Pereira said.

“Even if I don’t want [a certain] class, I need to talk with my advisor about what I do need,” Pereira said. “I have to consider: can I find something in the time period I’m dropping, will it rearrange my whole schedule, which takes time to figure out.”

Some faculty members have also expressed

all classes at least once before making a decision, Halliday said.

Photo: Matthew Breault concerns about the effectiveness of using the first week of classes, otherwise known as “Syllabus Week,” to preview a full semester of a class.

While some professors give previews of their lecture styles and content, others do not during the first week, Faculty Theatre Director Laura Salvaggio said.

“I believe the add period is very appropriate for professors to get students caught up,” said Salvaggio, who teaches several different theatre and fine arts classes at varying levels. “I am totally open to the idea of changing the drop period because sometimes students need a longer time to experience the class before making a decision.”

Even though the window for add/drop is not ideal for students,

the college must follow strict federal guidelines for calculating financial aid that are dependent on a complete and correct college census.

The college establishes a freeze date 15 days into the semester to gather accurate attendance for financial aid and reimbursement purposes from the federal government, Senior Associate Provost and Dean for Graduate Studies Robert Halliday said.

“At the freeze date we analyze who’s here, who’s not here, how full classes are, and other data-driven things,” Halliday said. “We could not change the add/drop date by very much to meet this deadline.”

The assumption behind having add/drop at the end of the week is that students will be able to experience

“The thing about the add-drop period is that it gives you a chance to try stuff out,” Halliday said.

“You can actually register for more classes than you intend to do for the semester; you can drop one without penalty.”

The college offers other options for students who missed the add/ drop deadline but still want to pull out of a certain class with other variables to consider.

Withdrawing from a class by the allotted time frame removes academic penalty, but transcripts will keep the class and a symbol representing the withdrawal.

The withdrawal date is on Nov. 8, according to the Registrar’s Fall On Ground Term 2021 calendar.

Some students believe that withdrawing from a class will still lead to challenges in the future since it remains on your transcript.

“I think dropping [a class] should be as

long as you want,” political science major Jordan Conestabile said.

“When you’re going to write a resume, you don’t want the bad classes to be put on it or work against you.”

A n o t h e r a l t e r n a t i v e for students withdrawing from a class is taking a withdrawal-fail.

The deadline for this is Dec. 16, and will result in an F final grade towards student GPA. The process of students adding, dropping or withdrawing from classes is difficult for the institution, Halliday said. There is a secondary freeze date to catch students in online or half-term classes.

“It’s not the same as the big freeze date at the beginning of the semester,” Halliday said.

“Often students don’t register for D2 classes until the seventh week of the term, when they realize [they] need another one or have the extra time. We needed another point to get a census count.”

FEATURES

PAGE 5 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

UCTANGERINE.COM

UC Welcomes Exchange Students for Fall 2021 ◊ HANNAH STEYN MANAGING EDITOR

the dorms and the academic buildings.”

During COVID-19, the idea of an exchange semester could be daunting for some because guidelines and regulations are constantly c h a n g i n g .

However, that hasn’t stopped the four exchange students that Utica College is currently hosting from enjoying their time to the fullest.

For both Ladesma and Poprotska, COVID-19 greatly affected their plans.

For many e x c h a n g e students, their e x c h a n g e semester is the first time they leave their home country.

Hilary Ladesma, an English Education major from the Philippines, is one such student.

Ladesma is here as part of the

“We are so lucky to be at UC,” Poprotska said. “Even if it’s not a huge university, the community is so friendly. Professors are so easy to talk to and I’ve never felt more comfortable approaching professors for help.”

Poprotska with the Ukrainian flag and traditional attire. Photo by Alexandria Leland.

prestigious Fulbright Undergraduate E x c h a n g e Program, which provides students with an all expense paid semester in the United States.

“Without this program, I would have had no other opportunity to travel to the US otherwise,” L a d e s m a said.“There has been some myth-

busting here.”

for

me

thanks to the same program.

Ladesma said of her first impressions of the US. “When we hear ‘New York’ we think of New York City. Arriving in Utica was quite shocking, but it’s so beautiful.”

“Going to the US has been my dream since my childhood and until I found this program, I didn’t think I would ever have the opportunity to come here,” Poprotska said.

“We don’t get a choice in where we end up, and they assign us to colleges, so when I heard that I was going to New York, I was so thrilled.”

Daria Poprotska, an Education, Language and Literature major from Ukraine is at Utica College

Poprotska said that despite not being in a big city, Utica still feels big in comparison to the small town she’s from.

“The thing I’m most excited about is learning more about the US education system,” Ladesma said. “I’m keeping a running list of strategies that professors use – I’m going to be a teacher so it’s fascinating to see what tactics people use in the U.S. that I might be able to apply one day.”

Ladesma in a Filipiniana, her traditional attire - Photo by Alexandria Leland

“I love Utica, and the college,” Poprotska said.

“Even the campus is so huge and beautiful with all the land and

“This journey is long overdue,” Ladesma said. “I applied in 2019 and was all set to be here in 2020, but obviously Corona happened (and is still happening).”

Ladesma said that the Fulbright Program pushed the exchange through this semester because the situation is improving somewhat in the US and classes are in person.

“In 2020 we couldn’t come, because a large part of this scholarship is to experience the US to the fullest, and we couldn’t do that if we were sitting in our rooms with our laptops,” Ladesma said.

However, in a completely opposite vein, the pandemic worked in Sechme Kahn’s favor.

Kahn, a medical student from Pakistan, applied to the IRX Global UGRAD Program SEE EXCHANGE P. 7

FEATURES

PAGE 6 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

Barrett Art Gallery still without art this semester

UCTANGERINE.COM

Album Review: “The Melodic Blue”

◊ MICKALE THOMPSON STAFF WRITER

◊ ALEXIS LYGA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When students returned to Utica College’s campus for the Fall 2020 semester, the Edith Barrett Fine Arts Gallery had been converted into office space. It remains that way at the start of the 2021 semester, causing some to wonder when it will be reverted back into an art gallery.

If being cousins with the greatest rapper in the world was not enough pressure, try to keep up with him on two different songs, then imagine being signed to his new media company and releasing the first album since its inception. If all of this seems like too much for most artists, know that Baby Keem is not most artists.

The college confirmed that the gallery will not return this a c a d e m i c year and the Purchasing and Accounts Payable Office will vacate the gallery space in November.

However, a gallery director has not been hired and there are no plans to do so during this academic year. “ O u t s i d e exhibitions, at least the premiere ones that are held in the gallery, take many months to plan,” Dean of Arts and Sciences Sharon Wise said.

“Since we don’t have a gallery director currently, and because we are restricted for the foreseeable future to smaller gatherings and

Photo: Tangerine restricted travel and guests, we have no plans for exhibitions this year.”

Megan Austin, the last art gallery director, resigned in 2019 prior to the campus transitioning to online learning due to the pandemic.

The college was locked down through much of the spring and summer, and in the summer it was clear that the following school year would not have large gatherings or external visitors, Wise said.

“At this point, the decision was made to wait on hiring a gallery director until COVID-19 allowed for normal operations in the gallery,” Wise said.

According to Jason Denman, Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and professor of English, the department is lobbying to hire

someone who would run the gallery and teach in the visual arts.

“We were very, very close to hiring someone to do this in spring of 2020, but the budgetary crisis surrounding C O V I D - 1 9 destroyed that plan and cost us valuable momentum,” Denman said.

He added that visual arts have, for some time now, lacked a full-time advocate as the gallery director position remains vacant.

The gallery first opened its doors in 1980.

Since then, it has been the place to display exhibitions showcasing the works of various artists.

“The Barrett Art Gallery is the center of the visual arts on campus and it has been a rich site of visual arts learning and immersive experiences.”

The rapper who shall no longer be referred to as “Kendrick Lamar’s cousin” is putting Vegas on the map with his debut album. The Melodic Blue is not the first colorful exploration the artist has taken on as he was formerly using monochromatic color pallets as his cover art for five different singles of which only one, “durag activity,” is on the album.

The album’s release was preceded by two singles - “durag activity” featuring Travis Scott in April and “family ties” with Kendrick Lamar just two weeks before the album itself.

The latter being Lamar’s first musical appearance of the year leaving fans further anticipating his album that is rumored to drop this year. Working with artists at the same caliber as Lamar would cause some to falter, but for Keem, his excellence seems only to have worn off.

The album begins with a melodic intro that lasts only 26 seconds until the beat drops giving way to Keem’s first verse over a spacey, futuristic beat. With multiple voices, singing, rapping, whispering, flow changes, beat switches and Rosalía vocals that add a layer of contrast and depth “trademark USA” serves as the perfect opening track as it is an accurate representation of what to expect throughout the rest of the project.

A dynamic introduction like this serves as a warning that this is not just another trap project.

Trap, hip hop’s most popular subgenre, is categorized SEE ALBUM P. 7

FEATURES

PAGE 7 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 ALBUM FROM P. 7 largely by the use of synthesized drums, 808’s and minimal use of other instruments.

Today, as trap has become oversaturated, it’s harder to sift through most of the commercial content that is rolled out to find the quality sounds that started this sect of rap.

The album’s trap roots mixed with an experimental approach is what marries the sounds of artists from across the country together into what may now be referred to as Vegas’ new sound.

Clear

influence

is heard from an array of artists from Atlanta’s Future and Playboi Carti to his mentor and LA native, Kendrick Lamar. Despite the separation in sound geographically, Future and Carti are two of the most prominent trap artists, whereas Lamar is considered one of the greatest lyrical and conscious artists of all time.

The diversity among Keem’s influences creates an experience that bends and blends genres, but can sometimes feel underdeveloped.

Experimentation in any field yields mixed results

Photo: Alexandria Leland - Four exchange students with the Utica College international office staff and visiting professor.

EXCHANGE FROM P. 5

in 2018 and was denied due as the program had already reached capacity.

Two years later, though, she received an email saying she had been

accepted to the program.

“Because of COVID, they weren’t taking new applications,” Kahn said.

“Instead, they were choosing from existing ones,

UCTANGERINE.COM

Photo: “The Melodic Blue” album cover and music is no different.

Keem has been blending trap and melodies together since the beginning of his career and his sound remains throughout this album, although muffled at times.

Artists who attack their craft with such fearlessness and attention to production have the ability to create

extraordinary projects.

Keem’s production is particularly on display in this album as he is given production credit on fourteen of the sixteen songs and even went as far as to call it “my best production/ compositional work.”

The production and composition of The Melodic

so I guess it worked to my advantage!”

and create extra stress.”

COVID-19 is still a cause for concern though, because should cases get worse, and classes be moved to an online format, both programs might require students to return to their home countries.

E x c h a n g e students agreed on the main negative about Utica – the lack of public transport.

“And beside just masks and other concerns, the uncertainty makes travel very stressful,” Kahn said. “We don’t need to show negative tests or anything like that right now, but things might change

“We’re exchange students, and only here for one semester so we obviously don’t have a car,” Ladesma said.

But in terms of positives, all agreed that Utica College has a friendly community, a great international office and approachable, helpful professors.

“I’m

just

most

Blue is the most impressive aspect.

This is not to say that there are not any impressive lyrical skills on display, but the production and exploration of sound is what makes this album stand out from the competition.

The Sin City native delivered a piece of himself on The Melodic Blue while still maintaining the illusive status he has worked so hard to preserve. This album is a piece of Baby Keem, a look into his influence, his love of trap and melodies, his ear for production and his hunger to prove himself.

excited about just experiencing the U.S. life,” Kahn said.

“Everything is so different from libraries to dorms, and we’re so blessed to be here for free. And being in Utica means we can travel within the U.S. which is great.”

(The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program in Pakistan Global UGRAD program is sponsored by the US Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered

by IREX and World Learning.)

FLASHBACK

PAGE 8 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

UCTANGERINE.COM

Utica, SUNY To Negotiate

( O r i g i n a l l y published on Sept.

20, 1968.) ◊ STEPHEN AMEDURI

On July 1, 1969, Utica College is scheduled to join the State University System of New York. The a n­n o u n c e m e n t of a tentative affiliation date by UC Foundation President Boyd Golder marks the cul­n1ination of debate and study that lasted almost two years.

During August, a proposal to authorize negotiations was submitted and approved by the Utica College faculty and the Foundation Board.

Thus, formal sti­ pulations will be ironed out between UC and the State University System, and Utica College will al­ most certainly become a part of the State University according to Golder.

Following is a statement to TANGERINE from the office of J. Kenneth Donahue, president of Utica Col­ lege, on Sept.

10: “At this writing, the

situation relating to Utica College and the State University of New York is that the Board of Directors of the Utica College Founda­tion and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Syracuse University are agreed that over the coming academic year negotiations for the possible absorption of Utica College into the State University of New York will be carried out. This action has the approval of the college faculty.”

“Until these negotiations are completed and final decisions are made, it will obviously not be possible to state the direction in which Utica College will go.” “ W h a t e v e r the outcome, the academic program of the college will retain its traditional fouryear char­acter and the interests of the present student body will be protected in every way.”

Talk of breaking from Syracuse University ties began as early as 1965. Real concern for the future of UC

In celebration of The Tangerine’s 75th anniversary, we will highlight past stories in each issue.

Photo: Utica College, the original Oneida Square campus and public airing of debate began in mid-1967.

It was at this time that State University officials a n n o u n c e d the intention of creating an upperdivision college in the Utica area as a part of the 10-year state education program unveiled by Governor Rockefeller and State University Chancellor Samuel Gould.

UC President J. Kenneth Donahue and the Utica College Foundation, concerned for UC’s future, drafted resolutions that the college should remain a four-year institute.

TANGERINE, in December, 1967, held a student referendum on the

issue among those it felt were most closely affectedthe college community. Voters, in a record turnout, vetoed the idea of Utica College joining the State University System by a four-to-one margin.

As 1968 opened, the Utica College Chapter of the American Association of University professors (AAUP) requested that UC have the option of separating from Syracuse if it chose without binding stipula­tion to remain private and non-sec­tarian.

At the same time, independent study of the possibility of UC join­ing the State University System was being carried out by the Faculty Council and State

Officials.

In February, Syracuse Univer­ sity’s Board of Trustees voted un­ animously to free Utica College to Chart its own future.

During the early part of this year, meetings were held between a joint UC Foundationfaculty committee headed by Utica College F o u n d a t i o n President Boyd E. Gol:­der and Chancellor Gould.

This summer, presidents of local community colleges expressed fear that Utica College, as part of the State University, would attract stu­ dents that might otherwise attend these colleges.

FLASHBACK

PAGE 9 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

UCTANGERINE.COM

Last Temptation of Christ fills Macfarlane for both showings action if shown.

BLASPHEMY?: Picketers march outside Macfarlane Auditorium last Thursday in protest of The Last Temptation of Christ. The movie finally came to Utica as part of UC’s Film Series after local theaters declined to run it last year. (Tangerine photo/Alex Hicks)

( O r i g i n a l l y published on Sept.

22, 1989.) ◊ CINDY BAUER STAFF WRITER A group of almost 35 protestors, carrying such signs as ‘’The gospel according to Satan,” and “Don’t support blasphemy,” marched in front of DePerno Hall last Thursday night at the screening of “The Last Temptation of Christ.”

More than 200 people turned out at Macfarlane Auditorium for each of the two showings of the controversial film.

Members of the Ad

Hoc Committee of Catholics Against Defamation gathered outside DePerno Hall an hour before the movie started, and began marching, holding up their signs.

Protest organizer Stella Bomnafazi said the group “wish them (seeing the movie) no harm. We’ll pray and say the rosary.”

Utica College professor Scott MacDonald, who brought the film to campus as part of this semester’s Utica College Film Series, said that Thursday night the auditorium was filled to capacity, and he had to turn

away almost 100 people.

The crowd at both screenings was made up of UC students, faculty, and the general public.

Although Thursday night, Bonifazi said there would be other religious denominations appearing Friday afternoon to march, only four people came, and they did not bring signs.

A few days prior to the movie, the president’s office was bombarded with phone calls regarding its screening.

One caller even threatened legal

it

was

“The showing of ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ at Utica College is one of many examples of academic freedom on the campus,”” Dean Thomas Brown said of the controversy. “”Dr. Scott MacDonald has the freedom to select every film shown in his film series, with the full support of the college administration.”

Approximately 15 UC students sang the National Anthem while the protestors recited the Rosary.

William Tapley, a representative of the Ad Hoc Committee of Catholics Against Defamation, said the group protested this movie all over the state. ‘’We protested in New York City, Rochester, Niagara Falls, all over,” he said. Tapley also said they protested the film “Hail Mary” two years ago in Clinton.

M a c D o n a l d showed that film to his censorship class last year.

“I

don’t

dislike

him because he stands up for what he believes in,” Bonifazi said of MacDonald. “I’ve had confrontations with him before.”

Although Bonifazi had not seen the movie, she said she did have a copy of the script, and said it’s “pretty atrocious.”

“He’s portrayed as pitiful, and if we knew him today, we would say he needs help,” she continued.

According to Bonifazi, people who know their faith won’t be shaken by the film, but the way Christ is portrayed, she is afraid for young people whose faith is not as strong yet.

MacDonald, who started a petition last year with fellow professor Kim Landon to get the movie to the Utica area, was pleased with the turnout. ‘’The most remarkable thing was that 200 people crowded into a hot auditorium, and everybody stayed until the end,” MacDonald said.

“It’s a testament to the film that everyone stayed.”

SPORTS

PAGE 10 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

UCTANGERINE.COM

Mochak’s missile earns #2 spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Commentator Raymond Biggs said ecstatically.

“Kaela Mochak with a shot that may as well been trained by NASA. Send that one to Mars.”

Mochak didn’t think when she got home that she’d see her goal on ESPN, but when she did, she was thrilled.

“My coach had joked at the end of the game, ‘Kaela we need to send that one into ESPN’

but I shrugged it off thinking, why would they use that clip if it’s a D3 school,” Mochak said. “Later that evening, I found out it was posted as number two on SportsCenter’s Top 10. It was a very surreal feeling, overwhelming but joyous. I am honored to give UCWS the welldeserved publicity, along with UC athletics.

I am proud to be a Pioneer.”

Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant ◊ MATTHEW ROBINSON STAFF WRITER The Women’s Soccer team has matched its best start since 2012 with a 5-1 record so far this season.

After getting off to a slow start last season, the Pioneers have turned that around in a big way. The first two games of 2021 were both shutouts against Buffalo State (5-0) and Massachusetts College of Liberal

Arts (4-0).

The only loss of the season came against Fredonia 1-2.

Senior Ro Hernandez’s goal early in the match put the Pioneers ahead by one, but that wasn’t enough to keep the Blue Devils out of the game.

The home opener against SUNY Potsdam was a game to remember.

Both teams were going back and forth up until halftime. With

8:04 on the clock sophomore Kaela Mochak fired a missile from 35 yards out that put the Pioneers up 1-0, which would end up being the final score. It wasn’t just a regular shot, it was a special one because it was good enough to be #2 on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays on Sept.

14.

“And a long shot from distance… score!,” Utica College Sports

Photo: Kayleigh Sturtevant

SPORTS

PAGE 11 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021

UCTANGERINE.COM

Senior wide receiver Nate Palmer making a big impact ◊ EMILY JOSS SPORTS EDITOR Around campus, teammates of UC football’s senior captain Nate Palmer claim he can never be spotted without an infectious smile across his face and a Yeti of Mountain Dew in his hand, but the team’s head coach, Blaise Faggiano, said on the field, Palmer is nothing short of a “fierce competitor.”

Four years ago, the local high school football star from VVS caught the eye of Faggiano.

It took just one game, his Senior All-Star game, and four touchdowns for Faggiano to invite Palmer onto the UC campus.

Shortly after stepping onto campus and speaking with the offensive coaches, Palmer became equally as enthralled by the program that he’d soon choose to continue his football career with.

As a 5’6’’ freshman, Palmer played in more than half the games that season, not allowing his height to set him

Mooney said. “He pushes everyone to do better too.”

In his four years with the program, Palmer has shown to leave his mark and will continue to inspire his teammates even after graduation.

“He’s my big brother on the team and I want to take his spot and fill his shoes when I get my chance,” Mooney said.

Photo: Chris Bernardine back once making it to the collegiate level.

“I’ve played football my entire life,” Palmer said.

“I have always been undersized, especially in football, but my parents didn’t let that be a factor.

They taught me how to use my strengths to my advantage.”

Today, Palmer is in his fourth but not quite final season for the Pioneers, and he’s off to a notable start.

Following their first week of regular season play, Palmer received Empire 8 accolades, being recognized as Special Teams Player of the Week following a

performance that consisted of 68 yards on three punt returns, as well as 180 receiving yards on nine catches.

As a wide receiver, Palmer stands first in the Empire 8 with 377 receiving yards - this stat also places him 8th in Division III. However, Palmer is so much more to the Pioneers than just a receiver.

At this point in the season, Palmer has placed himself top ten in rushing, receiving and punt returns within the Empire 8 and is nationally ranked among all Division III athletes in all purpose yards.

“Everyone has seen him develop as a wide receiver and one of the top

punt returners in the country,” Faggiano explained.

UC’s Sept. 18 win over Western New England helped Palmer build on these stats, now accumulating just under 700 all purpose yards over the first three games of the season.

Faggiano praised Palmer not only for his skills, but also for how well he’s stepped into his role as a leader.

S o p h o m o r e t e a m m a t e Connor Mooney recognized this aspect of Palmer as well.

“He works harder than anyone and is always thinking of what he can do better even if the play was great,”

Although Palmer is in his fourth season, he intends on using up all his eligibility, including the extra season all athletes earned due to the shortened COVID-19 season of spring 2021.

F o l l o w i n g graduation, Palmer looks forward to trading in one uniform for another, entering the State Troopers Academy and eventually becoming a part of the K-9 unit.

For right now though, Palmer is only focused on this season.

“This year I hope to have our winningest season,” he said.

“As a team, I hope to win the Empire 8 Championship and go to the postseason.”

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Herd of Orange: UC Football wins thrilling home opener Jamarious Morgan became the newest member of the 100-yard club with help from an offensive line that has only allowed two sacks in their first three games.

“I know Jamarious Morgan ran hard and our offensive line moved them,” Faggiano said.

“Definitely played better than a week ago having made some moves up there and those guys just played great.”

Photo: Chris Bernardine ◊ ROBERT STEVENS SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR Sonny Badyna snapped the ball at the 23-yard line with Jamarious Morgan to his side.

Just over five minutes remained in this back and forth battle between two heavyweight offenses. Badyna scanned the field quickly and delivered a dart straight into the hands of Matt Brantley, who polished the 75yard drive with a touchdown, giving the Pioneers the 30-28 lead.

Suddenly, a herd of orange overwhelmed Charles A.

Gaetano Stadium.

Less than three minutes and an impressive defensive stand later, Brantley and Badyna connected once again on a dagger as Brantley found his way into the endzone and solidified the Pioneers 3-0 start, for the first time since 2016.

“Absolutely a classic,” said Blaise Faggiano, Utica head football coach. “Gaetano Stadium was rocking and it was a lot of fun. It was great to see some normalcy. We’ve been through a lot through our area and in our country and it was great to

get together and enjoy a game of college football.”

On a humid Saturday night under the lights during an “orange out” home opener, the Pioneers were able to defeat the Western New England Golden Bears 37-28.

Badyna, who was awarded his second Empire 8 Player of the Week, finished with a careerhigh 368 passing yards and five total touchdowns while completing 50% of his passes.

Badyna was not the only Pioneer who helped shape the victory as junior running back

The Pioneers ended the first half giving up a safety and a field goal, which gave the Golden Bears the lead 19-17.

Outscoring opponents 4914 in the second half in their first two games, the Pioneers are beginning to be known as a second half team with the adjustments they make during halftime in the locker room.

This game was no different.

Less than a minute and a half into the third quarter, senior offensive captain and wide receiver Nate Palmer snagged a 51yard touchdown

reception to add to his team-high 154 receiving yards to put the Pioneers back up 24-19.

“I think our coaches made good adjustments and you could see our talent,” Faggiano said. “I think the talent showed for sure in the second half.

Our kids played very well tonight and made plays when they had to.”

The Sept. 18 win puts the Pioneers at 3-0 going into their upcoming game against #13 ranked Union College on Sept. 25. Before that game, there will still be some fundamentals to clean up in order to continue the undefeated season, according to Faggiano.

“Honestly, you know we made a lot of mistakes,” Faggiano said.

“The first thing that comes to mind is that I can’t remember a time where we made that many mistakes and beat a very good team. We had a lot of mental errors and things we gotta clean so we can get better but a lot of props on getting the win.”

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Q&A with Coach Faggiano: Orange Out victory in home opener ◊ ROBERT STEVENS SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR The Utica College Pioneers are coming off of a 37-28 win over the Western New England Golden Bears in their home opener for the 2021 season.

In a game with constant changes in momentum, the Pioneers survived.

Head football coach Blaise Faggiano was ecstatic with the victory as the team continued on a roll heading into their game versus #13 Union this Saturday.

Despite the victory, Faggiano isn’t done improving his team after they committed 15 penalties that accounted for 157 yards.

Q: Ucpioneers. com used the term slugfest to describe the game. How would you describe it overall?

A: It really was big plays back and forth. They were able to run the ball on us. You know, our gap control wasn’t great at times.

They found those seams, because they’re patient in their zone game and they came

Photo: Chris Bernardine hard. They played physical and that’s where I give them a lot of credit.

You can see that they’re certainly the top team in New England and I’m sure they’ll win their conference. I really think talking to their coach after the game, like, they’ll be better for having played that game just like we will be. When you play good people, you learn more about yourself than when you go and dominate a weaker opponent.

I think that game will really help

them as they move on to the rest of the season too.

Q: At multiple points throughout this game, especially in the first half, penalties reared their ugly head. How important were those penalties in this game?

A: Well, penalties, it’s all about the timing. What was tough about it is there were major swings in the game on some of the penalties, right?

I’m not going to coach our defensive backs to

play any different.

They did a great job. Number four, is a tremendous receiver. He had nine catches for 90 yards and just one touchdown. If you told me that he was only going to have one touchdown in the game, and we would live with that, I’d tell you absolutely.

13 had a couple touchdowns for them. We knew he was capable, and that they’d go to him. But overall, I thought Terrence and Jamel played well. I mean, the late flag they

threw on Terrence was just terrible.

That’s why they overthrew it. I think the crew met and said no, no, no, that’s about as perfect as you can play ball. But again, if that would have stayed, that would have given them all this momentum that they’re trying to get back in the game. We still got to clean up our long snapping and short snapping, which wasn’t very good. That makes it stressful for Maki punting and Maki kicking. Missing SEE Q&A P.14

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Photo: Chris Bernardine Q&A FROM P.13 the field goals and missing the extra point was not on Maki. It’s all in the operation. We have to get that cleaned up, for sure. We definitely left some points out there.

Q: Things just weren’t working for the Pioneers in the fourth until offensive coordinator Gerbino lined up a pivotal drive.

This included 41 yards with the ground game from Jamarious Morgan and Tim Hogan that was finalized with a 23-yard bullet to Matt Brantley with 5 minutes remaining.

What was going through your mind as you were marching down the field?

A: We had to be aggressive in this game. Like if they’re going to keep playing the safeties like that then we’re going to go after them.

Now, I’d like to think moving forward that’s going to help us. I think teams are going to back off their safeties and back off their corners and try not to let us get over the top. We’re going to loosen that up and it helps your run game and it helps your quick game. We threw a ton. I don’t know if we’ve had a game where we threw the ball downfield like that. It was like we were Hartwick.

They throw the ball down the field so much. Those passes

aren’t completed as high sometimes but it presents us with huge gains.

We were patient and we kept going after them. I was really pleased with the run game. Our offensive line got some movement up front and I think they’re going to have some confidence going into this next game.

Q: Your upcoming game will be against ranked Union College on what was supposed to be Homecoming Weekend.

This will be your sixth matchup being 4-1 in all other matchups against this team. What are going to be your main points of emphasis in practice this week

as you prepare?

A: Fundamentals.

They’re a very good team. I think we’re a pretty evenly matched team. I think it’s a game that’s going to come down to possessions, field position and special teams.

They’re a very good team with two very good running backs. They have a big athletic offensive line. They have an athletic quarterback. On defense, they’re very well coached.

I know coach Flanders really well. He was an old Albany guy like myself. They are Liberty league champs and they deserve the national ranking that they have. But

I think we match up well and our kids are hungry.

We know we’re 3-0 and don’t have any votes in the top 25 yet. I mean, we’re still earning our respect as a program nationally.

So there will be a few people looking at this game as a big Empire 8, Liberty League game. I know the Empire 8 has been doing pretty well overall in its nonconference. This is a huge game. We went from playing conference champs of the CCC to playing Liberty league champs so our conference is no joke.

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SPORTS SCORES

Sept. 10 : Women’s Soccer Postponed

Photo: ucpioneers.com

Sept. 11 : Women’s Golf 15th place @ Hamilton College Women’s Cross Country 2nd place- 73 points @ Vermont Technical College Men’s Cross Country 4th place- 118 points @ Vermont Technical College Field Hockey Utica 6 vs Washington and Jefferson College 3 Women’s Soccer Utica 1 @ Fredonia 2 Football Utica 27 @ Kean University 7 Women’s Volleyball Utica 3 @ Norwich University 2 Utica 2 @ Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 3 Women’s Tennis Utica 2 @ Houghton College 7

Sept. 12 : Men’s Soccer Postponed

Sept. 13 : Women’s Volleyball Utica 1 @ Hamilton College 3

Photo: ucpioneers.com

Photo: ucpioneers.com

Sept. 14 : Women’s Soccer Utica 1 vs. SUNY Potsdam 0

Sept. 15 : Women’s Tennis Utica 5 vs. Russell Sage College 4 Men’s Soccer Utica 0 vs. Hamilton College 1 Field Hockey Utica 4 vs. SUNY Brockport 2 Women’s Volleyball Utica 3 vs. Morrisville State College 0

Photo: Jeff Pexton- Perfect Game Imaging

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SPORTS SCORES

Sept. 16 : Men’s Golf 3rd place- 350 Strokes @ Utica College Invitational

Sept. 17 : Women’s Tennis Utica 6 vs. Medaille College 3 Field Hockey Utica 6 @ Keuka College 2 Women’s Volleyball Utica 3 vs. SUNY Canton 0

Photo: ucpioneers.com

Sept. 18 : Women’s Soccer Utica 2 vs. Houghton College 1 Women’s Tennis Utica 4 vs. St. John Fisher College 5 Women’s Volleyball Utica 1 vs. St. Lawrence University 3 Utica 2 vs. SUNY Potsdam 3 Men’s Soccer Utica 1 @ Houghton College 2 (OT) Football Utica 37 vs. Western New England University 28

Sept. 19 : Men’s Soccer Utica 3 @ Alfred State College 1

Sept. 21 : Field Hockey Utica 3 vs. St. Lawrence 4

Sept. 22 : Men’s Soccer Utica 0 vs. SUNY Poly 1

Volleyball Utica 2 vs. SUNY Cobleskill 3

Women’s Tennis Utica 0 @ Nazareth College 9

Women’s Soccer Utica 2 @ SUNY Poly 1