Published: August 29, 2008 11:04 pm            

COLLEGE ROUNDUP (Aug. 30): Beilein to speak at NCCC on Oct. 1

Newfane native and current University of Michigan head men’s basketball coach John Beilein will be the special guest speaker on Oct. 1 at a dinner to benefit the Lockport Family YMCA Capital Building Campaign at Niagara County Community College, The evening is sponsored by the Lockport Rotary Club.

Beilein will join fellow men’s basketball coaches from Niagara University (Joe Mihalich), Canisius College (Tom Parrotta) and the University at Buffalo (Reggie Witherspoon), all sharing their thoughts on their upcoming seasons.

The Rotary Club is hoping to sell 400 tickets at $100 each. Tickets can be obtained by calling the Lockport Family YMCA at 434-8887.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Oakland 3, Niagara 2

The host Purple Eagles were dealt a tough, five-set loss in the opening round of the annual Niagara University Labor Day Invitational against Oakland, 26-28, 25-19, 15-25, 25-13, 19-17. Sophomore Lauren Costello was one of four Niagara players with double-digit kills, finishing with 14. Holly Allgeier added 11 of her own for NU (0-1 overall). Setter Michelle James had 49 assists in her collegiate debut.

“For being so young, I felt like we made a big statement tonight to put this team in the direction to change the reputation of this program,” head coach Susan Clements said of the young NU squad. “I was excited about our chemistry that we had right off the bat, and I think that we are going to be an aggressive team this year.”

Amy Golem led Oakland (1-0) with 14 kills.

Men’s Soccer

Niagara 4, Longwood 3

The Purple Eagles opened their season in winning fashion, led by senior Matt Durand’s two goals in the non-conference road contest. Trailing 3-2 in the second half, NU (1-0 overall) freshman Carl Haworth tied the game with his first collegiate goal. Two minutes later, Durand followed with his second score of the night — the game-winner. Angelo Beatrice also scored for Niagara.

Buffalo 2, Bucknell 1

Dominic Oppong and Dezi Lara scored for the Bulls, ensuring a season-opener home victory in the non-conference game. Lara gave Buffalo the 1-0 lead 24 minutes in, and after Bucknell’s Mark Schmiegel tied the game at 1-1, Oppong fired home the game-winner for UB (1-0 overall), unassisted, at the 86-minute mark. Steffen Thoresen tallied an assist for Buffalo, and Robert Shuttleworth had five saves in goal.

        

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