Injuries set back Harper
The Harper College women's soccer season came to an end Saturday in the NJCAA Division III national tournament.
After weather postponed the Hawks' originally scheduled tournament game set for Thursday, the Hawks finally took to the field Friday and suffered a 4-2 loss to North Lake College (Texas) in penalty kicks.
“We were the better team” said Harper coach Dwyane Cruz. “We outplayed them.”
North Lake went on to finish third in the nation.
On Saturday, the Hawks played Rochester Community and Technical College (Minn.). The Hawks lost to the Yellowjackets 3-0. Cruz called the field conditions “sloppy“ after praising the field for Friday's game.
The Hawks had two major injuries in the tournament sophomore Jess Gadas suffered a broken foot, and sophomore Melissa Hernandez a separated shoulder.
“I thought we played the best match we could (Saturday) with the injuries we had,” Cruz said.
Hernandez told the Harper coaching staff that doctors think she will need surgery.
The pair of losses does not affect the way Cruz feels about his team. He called them “a top three team in the country.”
Freshman forward Jaclyn LaRocco was named to the all tournament team. She finished fourth in the nation in scoring, finishing the season with 58 points (23 goals and 12 assists in 13 games).
That time of year: The turning back the clocks on Sunday could only mean one thing: The start of the NJCAA college basketball season. The Harper men's team defeated the Judson College JV team last Wednesday and Olivet Nazarene JV on Saturday. The Hawks (3-0) will see a pair of NJCAA teams for the first time this week. Their first matchup came against Skyway Conference member Elgin Community College on Tuesday, and the Hawks came away with a 79-57 victory. #8220;As well as we played in spurts, we didn't run our offense well (Tuesday),#8221; said Harper coach Tony Amarino.The Hawks are not yet at full strength due to injury. Forward Avery Roche will have an MRI Friday to determine the extent of a knee injury that's been bothering him. The Harper coaching staff believes there is no major ligament damage to the knee. Amarino, however, is still concerned. #8220;We are hoping for the best,#8221; Amarino said. #8220;You never know what happens with an MRI.#8221;Forward Chris Hicks (Elk Grove) missed Tuesday's game with a rolled ankle. Despite the 3-0 start, Amarino is still cautious about his young team's potential. #8220;We won 3 in a row we are not this big power machine,#8221; he said. #8220;We could loose three in a row.#8221;The Hawks only return two players from last year's team, reserve guard Perrish Bell (Schaumburg) and Roche. On Saturday, the Hawks take to the road to play a tough Olive Harvey squad to end the week. #8220;It doesn't get easier,#8221; Amarino said of the schedule. Amarino likes the way his young squad is coming together. He praised three of his freshman, saying #8220;Freddy (Dover, Conant) has set the pace at the point guard. He doesn't let them into their scheme. Kamill (Long, Hoffman Estates) is doing a great job, Shonnon Barfield is a pure athlete.#8221;New look for Harper women: The Harper women's basketball team tipped off its season last week against the Judson JV team and left Elgin with 55-45 victory as Sarah Kellermeyer (Schaumburg) scored 21 points to lead the Hawks.
#8220;I thought Sara (Kellermeyer) responded well in the second half. You don't find a ton of good big girls in the conference,#8221; said Harper coach Mark Smith.
Tuesday was a different story as the Hawks fell 63-49 to Elgin Community College.
Smith said the team had a #8220;very good response (Wednesday) in practice. They are anxious to get out there.#8221;
The Hawks now start a string of four straight road games beginning today at Waubonsee. Five of the team's first six games are on the road.
#8220;I was a little wary of (the early season schedule),#8221; said Smith. #8220;Later on in the season, you're going to have to win games on the road.#8221;
The Hawks only return two sophomores from last year's team.
#8220;We expect the sophomores to speak up,#8221; said Smith. #8220;Anna (Kirchoff, Barrington) is trying to take a leadership role.#8221;