October 2, 2023

Football Makes it Five in a Row Against Bates

The Colby Football team entered Lewiston Saturday night looking for their first win of the 2023 campaign, facing an opponent in the Bates Bobcats who were in the same boat. Both teams had a chance to steal the win at the end, but the Mules' defense intercepted a Bobcat pass in the end zone with eight seconds remaining and returned to Waterville to ring the bell.

Turnovers and big plays were on tap for the Mules in this one, and Colby wasted no time being the first on the board. Julian Young (NESCAC leader in tackles with 39 after three games) scooped up a Bates fumble on the opening drive, returning it inside the red zone and setting up Keon Smart's first score of the game, a 12-yard scamper. Smart capitalized the final possession of the first quarter as well, collecting a screen pass and outrunning the Bobcat defense for a 75 yard score. Moments before the half, Colby blocked a Bates punt (Trevor Smith) and recovered in the end zone (Mike Williams) to head into the break with a 21-10 lead.

Following an interception by Joshua East in the third quarter, Smart capped his stellar day with another quick score, this one coming on a 69-yard run. The running back finished the day with over 250 yards from scrimmage and three scores.

While the defense bent in the fourth quarter as Bates clawed to get back into the game, Lincoln Merrill's interception as the clock ticked down secured the victory for the Mules, and the first step in retaining the CBB Trophy.

Colby is back in action Saturday when they host the Wesleyan Cardinals (3-0).

Women’s Soccer Ties Tufts in Lone Game of the Week

In Colby's midday contest Saturday, the Jumbos struck first in the 7th minute for a 1-0 opening score. Following back and forth action for the majority of the rest of the game, the Mules were able to even the score at one apiece in the 77th minute as first-year Samantha DeWitt (first collegiate goal) found the back of the net off an assist from sophomore Murphy Leung.

Colby’s defense played tough throughout the contest. Under immense second-half pressure, including nine shots, four corners, two free kicks, and a one-on-one save with less than a minute to go, goalkeeper MK Marshall tallied eight saves in the game to secure a 1-1 draw.

The Mules now have a 2-5-1 overall record and will look to battle Middlebury and Hamilton this upcoming weekend on Mayflower Hill.

Men’s Tennis Competes at ITA Regionals Hosted by Bowdoin

In the three-day regional competition featuring some of the best players from across the northeast, the Mules were well-represented with four players in the A singles draw, two players in the B singles draw, and three doubles teams in the round of 64 doubles flight.

Coming into the tournament as a number two seed, senior captain Joey Barrett made a run to the semifinals of the singles A draw. Barrett beat players from Tufts, Trinity, Coast Guard, and Brandeis, only dropping one set along the way before falling to future champion Julian Wu by a score of 4-6, 6-4, 1-6.

Also in singles play, junior captain Jake Cohen won his first round match against Mick Tamas from Bowdoin before falling to his Wesleyan opponent in a close matchup. In doubles, Barrett paired up with senior captain Sam Henry to win a first round match 8-3 against Brandeis opponents, before losing a fight to Bowdoin in the next round.

"As a group, we competed hard and played with energy. I'm looking forward to building on this tournament with two more weeks of practice before the Wallach Invitational at Bates. In my mind, our team's biggest strength is the way in which we support each other, and I think that our support for one another was on full display throughout ITAs." - Joey Barrett

The Mules will wrap up their fall season on Saturday October 14th competing in the Wallach Invitational, hosted by Bates College.

Men’s Soccer Battles with the Jumbos

Slow to get started in the first half (Tufts leading after the break 3-0), the Mules elevated in the second half to fight back to within striking distance of the Jumbos. Arkam Traore got Colby on the board just three minutes into the second frame (Eduardo Casanova assist) to cut the deficit to two. In the 73rd minute, Casanova struck for a goal of his own to bring the Mules within one (his third goal and seventh point in just the last two NESCAC matchups). In the end, time ran out on the Mules before the comeback was complete. Goalkeeper Brendan McCarthy finished with seven saves. With a save percentage of 0.806, McCarthy ranks fourth in the NESCAC.

Men’s Soccer is now 3-2-2 overall and 1-2-2 in conference play, good for 7th place. The Mules will take on Husson Tuesday before hosting Middlebury and Hamilton over the weekend.

Women’s Tennis Dominates Endicott 9-0

On Mayflower Hill Sunday, Colby welcomed Endicott for their lone head-to-head matchup of the fall season. The Mules swept away their visitors in fine fashion 9-0.

In the six singles matchups the Mules outpaced their opponents only letting up a total of 11 games as Sydney Landau, Ellie Gershaw, Michaela Landry and Jade Finestone only let up a game each. Doubles played out the same way as Colby took the win in all three (8-4, 8-2, 8-3) for the 9-0 sweep.

"For the first dual match of the season we went out with guns blazing and didn't stop! Overall, super proud of the team and cannot wait for the Middlebury Invite!" - Sydney Landau

Women’s Tennis will wrap up their fall season at the Middlebury Panther Challenge taking place October 13th-15th.

Volleyball Takes Down Brandeis

The Mules went on the road for three straight days taking on #14 Wesleyan, Trinity, and Brandeis. Despite falling to both the Cardinals (3-0) and Bantams (3-0) in strong efforts against two of the regions top programs, Colby finished out the week topping the Judges 3-1.

Against Brandeis on Sunday, each of the four sets ended in close scores, but the Mules retreated home with a well-earned 3-1 victory. First-year Brady Moseley led the way with a whopping 18 kills (career high), collecting 13 digs on the defensive end. Emma Davis struck for 11 kills of her own, and first-year Gabby Grujic led the charge for Colby with an impressive 25 assists. Fellow first-year Allison Rodriguez added in 20 assists of her own.

Moseley leads the Mules with 91 kills on the season, sitting just outside the top-10 in the conference. Reanna Yadao ranks fifth in the NESCAC in digs/set with 4.41.

Volleyball now has an 8-5 overall record, 3-2 in the NESCAC, good for 3rd place in a highly close and competitive conference. The Mules will be back at home Friday, October 6th to take on Tufts.

Golf 2nd at Mariner Invitational, 3rd at CBB

In a Thursday morning tee time for the Mariner Invitational hosted by MMA, Harrison Digangi led the Mules to a 2nd place finish (out of nine teams), placing 5th with a 73.

In Saturday's CBB at the Brunswick Country Club, Johnny Kinsley bested the field, finishing first with a 72.

Jeevan Anand and Jacob Teszler competed for the Mules on both days. Teszler (headline photo) finished 18th Thursday and 16th Saturday, while Anand placed 17th at MMA and 20th in Brunswick.

The fall golf season has now concluded and the Mules will eye the spring season and the NESCAC Championship in April.