Exclusive Company
Senior Alyssa Fania became the fourth player in Royal field hockey history to score more than 100 points in her career, joining Denise Atkinson (125 points, 1982-1983, 1985), Judy Grimaldi (119 points, 1985-1988) and Traci Zarbatany (117 points, 1986-1989). Fania ended her career with 104 points, including a Landmark Conference-leading 44 this past fall. For her efforts, Fania was voted the Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first-team selection by the league’s head coaches. Joining her as all-conference selections were senior Jessica Pankey, who earned first-team honors for the third straight year; junior Krista Osborne, a first-team selection; and senior Michelle Lennon, a second-team pick. Fania and Pankey were also named all-regional by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA).
Iggy Reaches the Finals
The University’s beloved mascot, Iggy, reached the finals of Catholic Mascotology 2014 on Bustedhalo.com, an online contest to choose the “Best Catholic School Mascot.” Iggy defeated four NCAA Division I mascots, including the defending champion, the Canisius Golden Griffin, in the fan-based contest. But, in the final, Iggy lost to the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineer by a little more than 500 votes after more than 12,000 were cast by loyal Scranton students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and friends.
Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team finished the season with a 9-6-3 record and posted 10 shutouts. It marked the third straight season in which the Royals posted a winning record, and the 10 shutouts were the ninth-most in school history. Senior forward Kevin Kozic earned second-team all-Landmark Conference honors after finishing with a team-high six goals.
Retirement of Mike Strong
Legendary women’s basketball coach Mike Strong G’82 announced his retirement on Sept. 17, ending a career in which he became the all-time winningest women’s basketball coach in NCAA Division III history with 815 victories. He led the Lady Royals to the national title in 1985 and to eight Final Fours. His teams won at least 20 games in 26 of his 32 seasons. Strong, who began working at the University in 1972, was also an assistant coach of the men’s basketball team that won the national title in 1976.
Moyer Milestone
Veteran field hockey head coach Colleen Moyer (first row, third from left) was presented a cake in honor of her 100th career coaching victory after the Royals defeated Goucher College, 2-1, on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Towson, Maryland. In 10 seasons, Moyer has led the program to 103 victories, including seven postseason tournament appearances, and is now second all-time in wins in Scranton history.
Volleyball
Senior Julia Crilly became the first women’s volleyball player in Scranton history to earn All-American honors when she received honorable mention accolades from the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She led the Royals to a 23-11 record and became the only player in school history to have at least 1,500 kills and 1,500 digs in a career.
Women’s Soccer
The women’s soccer team reached the Landmark Conference championship for the fifth straight season and the sixth time in the conference’s eight years. The Royals finished with 10 wins, their sixth season in the last seven with at least 10 victories. Juniors Erin Casey and Jasmine Sconciafurno and sophomore Christina Akalski each earned first-team all-conference honors.
