Top 15 Games of 2015
As the calendar turns to 2016, the sports information department looked at some of the top games of 2015. Pioneer athletes competed all across the east coast and had many memorable and sometimes record-breaking performances.
Indoor Track & Field – Houghton Highlander Open on January 31st – Victoire Kothor was a double event winner and set two new school records on the day (weight throw & shot put) while John Adewumi was a double-event winner. The meet also featured nearly ten performances that were in the top ten all-time at Alfred State. (Link to Game Story)
Wrestling - 31-12 victory over Oswego on February 4th – the Pioneers won eight of the ten matches on the evening to close out the dual meet portion of their 2014-15 season with their third win in their final four dual matches. (Link to Game Story)
Women’s Basketball – 84-79 (2 OT) victory over Iowa Wesleyan in the quarterfinals of the USCAA National Championships on March 4th. Playing in their first National Championship game, the Pioneers outlast Iowa Wesleyan. Haley Witchella had a monster game finishing with 28 points and 31 rebounds. The 31 rebounds was a new USCAA Tournament record. (Link to Game Story)
Outdoor Track & Field – Men 2nd, Women 2nd at Roanoke Invitational on March 21st – The Pioneers opened up the outdoor 2015 outdoor season with some impressive performances. Victoire Kothor won the shot put, Keith Johnson won the 5,000, and Angel Bresnahan recorded a leap of 5.10 m the long jump. (Link to Game Story)
Lacrosse - 18-17 victory over Houghton on April 18th – Aaron Buck scored the game winner with just 21 seconds remaining to cap a three-goal comeback in the final two minutes of the contest. Buck finished the game with a career best 10 goals. (Link to Game Story)
Softball – Four game weekend sweep of SUNY Canton – April 25-26 – The Lady Pioneers collected 43 hits and outscored the Roos 42-26. Aubri Mosier was 9 for 17 during the series and Lura O’Keefe connected on two homers and drove in nine. Rebecca Hanrahan and Taylor McCarthy both picked up a pair of victories on the mound. (Link to Game Story) (Link to Game Story)
Baseball – 15-6 victory over Keuka on May 5th – Pioneers close out the season with a convincing victory capped by a two-run homer by Jordan Wheaton in his final at bat in his four-year career. (Link to Game Story)
Men’s Soccer - 3-3 tie with Penn State Beaver on September 27th – the Pioneers trailed 3-0 with less than 35 minutes left and rallied to tie the game. Brandon Holley sent the game into OT with a goal with just 27 seconds remaining. (Link to Game Story)
Cross Country – Men 6th, Women 8th at NYS Championships on October 24th – Keith Johnson earned All-State honors with a 7th place finish to lead the men to a 6th place finish while Lindsey Thiel finished 36th to lead the Lady Pioneers. (Link to Game Story)
Volleyball – 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Houghton College on October 28th (25-17, 17-25, 20-25, 27-25, 15-10). The Pioneers trailed 2-1 and 24-19 in the 4th set before the Lady Pioneers scored six straight points and eventually took the set 27-25. In the deciding 5th set, Alfred State led throughout and won 15-10. (Link to Game Story)
Women’s Soccer - 3-0 victory over Maine-Machias on November 6th – the Lady Pioneers dominated in their season finale in the USCAA National Championship consolation contest. The blue & gold did not allow a shot, 25-0, and had three different players find the back of the net. (Link to Game Story)
Football – 34-18 victory over Maranatha Baptist on November 7th – first victory over a NCAA DIII school for the football program, first victory for head coach Jarod Dodson, and first 300-yard passer (Ben Wilkerson – 329) in the NCAA DIII era. (Link to Game Story)
Swimming – vs. Oswego on November 13th – the debut of the improvements to the pool which included: new scoreboard, scoring system, lights, and new paint. The night also featured numerous new school NCAA DIII records. (Link to Game Story)
Swimming – vs. Wells on November 21st – the team swept the dual meet with Wells College. The victory was the first in the NCAA DIII era for the women. (Link to Game Story)
Men’s Basketball - 70-50 victory over Morrisville on November 30th – the blue & gold led most of the way as they defeated the NEAC title contender. Tyler Elliott and Marquis Edwards led the way with 14 points each. (Link to Game Story)