Lady Sharks Survive Hurricane Irene
By Rob Rodriguez
After and before Hurricane Irene had hit on Aug. 28, it had a slight effect on the College women’s sports teams.
The only women’s sports teams actively preparing for their up-and-coming season were the women’s soccer, tennis and volleyball teams.
An attempt was made to contact the women’s tennis coach, Chris Cosenza; however, there was no response. Their season had not gotten underway, but tryouts were a little over a week after the hurricane hit.
Women’s Soccer Coach Christina McMahon explained how Hurricane Irene affected her team and how they got over it rather quickly.
“The Hurricane did not really infringe on the Women’s Soccer team,” McMahon said. “We had one game cancelled. Besides that, all of our other activities remained normal and as scheduled.”
The Lady Sharks soccer team lost their first scrimmage of the season against Middlesex CC on Aug. 26, 4-1. McMahon said she feels like the hurricane was not a factor on her team’s play.
“We did play a scrimmage before the hurricane and lost. I do not think any of them were impacted by the coming hurricane,” McMahon said. “Our minds were focused on the game and it was almost two full days before the hurricane was to come.”
McMahon said she had she told the players before Hurricane Irene to inform her of anything that happened. “I asked them to be safe and to keep me updated on anything that was going on with them and their families,” McMahon said.
After Hurricane Irene, all was well for the team. “We didn’t have a scheduled practice until Tuesday so by then they were all back to their usual routines,” McMahon said. “Everyone and their families were okay and safe.”
Their playing field was intact after the Hurricane and they were ready to get back out there. “The playing field was not altered in any way; both our game field and practice field remained in great condition,” McMahon said. “We have a fantastic athletic department to insure that the fields are always in the best condition.”
Women’s Volleyball Coach Kim Simpson said she felt as though there was a bit of an effect on her team.
“The practices right before our first scrimmage were cancelled,” Simpson said. “Even though all the girls did well, it definitely had an effect on their performances.”
The volleyball team played on Aug. 30, two days after Hurricane Irene, and won their scrimmage against Farmingdale 3-1.
An attempt was also made to contact Sam Braunstein, College Director of Athletics who oversees all of the Sharks teams, regarding any decisions he and the athletic department may have made regarding the women’s sports teams, but he would not comment on the matter.
All is well for all the women’s sports teams. The Lady Sharks soccer team will officially open their season at Monroe College, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. The volleyball team will open up their season on the road against Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. The women’s tennis team will also begin their season Sept. 17, but it will be a home game against the Fashion Institute of Technology at 1 p.m.
For more information on all of the teams, please visit their website, http://www.sunysuffolkathletics.com.
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