Athletics Semester Wrap-Up
Another semester has ended here at Columbia-Greene Community College. We had many new experiences in this session with the come back of the women's soccer program and garnering the support of the new college president, Carlee Drummer.
The women's soccer program made a comeback for the 2019 season. After fielding a club team last year, the Twins kicked off their first NJCAA season since 2007. Andrew Lashua was named the head coach and was joined by assistant coach Paul Pape. The coaches were able to field a team in 2019 after heavy recruiting over the summer. The Twins continued to get better every game they played. This was capped off with a huge 10-1 win over Jefferson Community College. They finished the season with a 4-10 overall record. The team received a very generous donation from NYSCOPBA (New York State Corrections Officers Police Benevolent Association) to underwrite the cost of a new scoreboard for the program. At the Twins game on October 9th, a pre-game ceremony was held to thank them for their donation and unveil the new scoreboard. Columbia-Greene Community College's new president, Carlee Drummer, was in attendance to thank NYSCOPBA and congratulate the team.
There were lots of bright spots during this Twins soccer season. Early on, they took the #9 ranked Genesee Cougars into double overtime. Twins goalkeeper, Keegan Deyo, kept the Twins in it facing 10 shots. Deyo had the second most saves in the nation at 219 at the end of the season. She also carried an 83% save percentage. Freshman Jenna Lashua led the team in scoring this season with six goals and four assists. We also said goodbye to the departing sophomores on the team. Sophomores Katherine Christman, Keegan Deyo, Nicole Kernan, Holly Kleinmeier, and Ashley Wixon were all honored at the last home game of the season.
The off-season has been eventful for the women's soccer team as well. After the season, the Mountain Valley Conference named their all-conference team for the 2019 season. Making the team as a goaltender was Sophomore Keegan Deyo. She started every game in net for the Twins this season. Just recently, the Twins signed on two athletes for the 2020 season. Catskill High School seniors Laura Christman and Kelsey Lackie both signed their letter of intent to become Twins in 2020.
We finished off the semester with the men's basketball team completing the first half of their season. Ryan Parshall was named the head coach over the summer and got right into recruiting. The Twins got off to a good start, going 4-2 to start the season. Though, a couple of losing streaks put the Twins down in the standings with a 5-8 record. Despite this, the Twins have had some great performances from their players.
The Twins lead several statistical categories in Region III heading into the break. Freshman Rande Harper has been a standout player for the Twins. Harper leads Region III in scoring (20.9 points per game), three-point percentage (49.4%), free throw percentage (87.5%), and steals (2.9 steals per game). This ranks him in the top 25 in the nation in each of the categories. Sophomore Kaijah Rodgers has been spreading the ball around as he leads not just Region III but the nation in assists with 10.7 per game. Sophomore Myles Ukoh has also stepped up as he leads both Region III and the nation in blocks with 4.4 per game. Sophomore Cameron Thomas has been making his mark as well at fifth in Region III in rebounds. Thomas averages 10.2 rebounds per game.
A new coach was announced for the Twin's women's basketball team. Former Twins athlete and two-time female athlete of the year, Tanisha Edge, has been named the new head coach of the women's basketball program. During her time as a Twins athlete, Edge became the all-time leading scorer for the Twins women's basketball program at 1,206 total points. In her sophomore season, she led the team to the Region III championship game. We are excited to have her back with the program.
Baseball and Softball have both been fundraising for their spring break trips after a successful fall ball season. Both teams had a short list of games early in the semester. Notable results include baseball splitting a double-header against Monroe Community College. They won the first game 7-2 but fell in the second by just one run, 7-8. Softball had similar results against Dutchess Community College, winning the first 19-7 but falling in the second 17-18. Both squads will begin practicing next semester for the regular season.
Many Twins athletes were in attendance for the Hope Rocks festival hosted by Columbia-Greene Community College. Athletes from every team volunteered their time to help set up games and activities for festival goers to participate in. All around it was a successful semester for the athletics program. We hope to accomplish even more as we continue into the spring semester.