Sports Briefs

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JIA YOU! CHINESE SYMBOLS TOP DUCKS IN CLASH OF IM TITANS

One of the more competitive men's intramural soccer seasons in recent memory ended on Oct. 24 as the Chinese Symbols held off the Mighty Ducks 2-0 in a battle of the league's top two seeds. With the largest crowd of the season in attendance, the Chinese Symbols rode second-half goals from Zach Harwood '10 and Zach Smith '10 to remain unbeaten and clinch the title.

"It certainly was a grueling game. The Mighty Ducks put up a strong fight," said Adam Rice '10, captain of the Chinese Symbols. "However, the heart and drive of my fellow teammates were certainly the keys to our victory. It feels great to accomplish such a feat with such a unique group of guys."

With no trophy to play for, the players used the much-sought after intramural championship t-shirts as motivation when the game remained scoreless in the second half.

"Basically, it all comes down to 'who wants the t-shirts more,'" Rice said. "We were hungry and we weren't going to take no for an answer… booyakasha."

While Rice applauded the play of Harwood and Smith, who frustrated the Mighty Ducks defense, he said the defense of William "Teddy" Waldo gave the team a chance to win by preventing numerous goal scoring opportunities.

He also wanted to thank James Giampietro '09 and Jake Liberman '09, commissioners of the league and players for the Mighty Ducks, for keeping the league together and running smoothly. But when prodded about whether the champions would be back to defend their title in the spring, he remained cryptic, saying that the team wanted to enjoy this season's victory before thinking about the next step.

"People ask us, 'Chinese Symbols, will you be playing next season?'" he said. "For now, we just tell them it's time to sip on the Andre and enjoy the offseason."

- Scott Greene, Editor-in-Chief

JANE HANDEL '12 NAMED NESCAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Middlebury women's volleyball player Jane Handel '12 was named the NESCAC player of the week on Monday for her efforts at the Hall of Fame Classic over the weekend. Handel helped the Panthers to a 3-0 record at the Invitational, averaging 3.7 kills and 3.3 digs per game.

The accolade was the latest of what has been a very impressive rookie campaign for Handel. The first-year stands at third in the conference in kills, and has the most amongst any first-year player. She is also in the top-twenty in kill-percentage, service percentage and digs.

Amongst her teammates, Handel stands first in kills and aces, having averaged almost a kill more per game than any of the other Panthers. She is also third on the squad in both digs and blocks.

Handel is one-fourth of a very talented first-year contingent for the Panthers. Along with classmates Ellen Dahlberg '12, Caroline Cordle '12 and Elissa Goeke '12, Handel has propelled the team into the thick of the NESCAC standings. Following the leadership of co-captains Lindsay Patterson '08.5 and Reisa Bloch '09.5, the quartet has helped infuse the team with new life, stepping in and contributing from day one.

In related news Patterson was named the Hall of Fame Invitational tournament Most Valuable Player for her efforts in Mount Holyoke over the weekend. Her tournament was highlighted by a 12 kill/five dig performance against Wheaton.

- Peter Baumann, Sports Editor