Viking’s year end in review

Bobby Colla

Sports Editor

Fall

Football:

The Football team had their best season in over a decade. The team started the season 8-0, earning the right to the #19 spot in the NJCAA National Rankings. The team’s undefeated season was ended when they were shut out in their final game, against Navy Prep. However, the team was then selected for the Salt City Bowl, playing Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas. Hudson Valley struggled and lost 52-7 in the bowl game, finishing the season with an 8-2 record. After the season was over, Head Coach Mike Muehling said that this season was huge for the program, and that the team could now improve through recruiting thanks to the success this season.

Women’s Soccer:

Hudson Valley’s women’s soccer team started their season strong, beating teams like #9 Finger Lakes and #5 Mohawk Valley to get to a 7-0 start. They were unfortunately beaten by #4 Herkimer to put an end to their undefeated season. The team finished the regular season winning just three of their last seven games and barely held on to host a Subregional game. In that Subregional against TC3, the Vikings trailed 2-1 late, but were able to tie it 2-2, sending the game to overtime. After being unable to settle it in overtime, the game went to a shootout, where the teams were tied after five kicks. On the sixth shootout, goalie Kate Sullivan set it up with a save, and Molly O’Bryan would finish it off with the game-winning goal. The team lost to Herkimer in the Regional Tournament just a few days later. Head Coach Jay Pokines said he was proud of the team for the season they put together.

Men’s Soccer:

The Hudson Valley Men’s Soccer team struggled this year. They finished with a 6-8-1 record. Head Coach Travis Cooke said the team just never got going. He said, “We have a good team, we just had trouble executing.”

Volleyball:

The Volleyball team at HVCC had a rough season. The team, however, got half their wins in the final six games and finished 6-18 on the season.

Tennis:

The Hudson Valley Tennis team won just two matches this year, both against Herkimer. The team struggled to a 2-3 record but finished strong in their second match against Herkimer, winning 7-2.

Cross Country:

The Cross Country team, though they had a rough season, hosted a meet for the first time ever. The team did not place in the race, but the event opened the door for more meets to be held on the campus.

Winter

Women’s Basketball:

After starting the season with a 10-2 record, the Hudson Valley women’s basketball team lost five out of their last six games, slowing the team down to a finish of 18-9, including their loss to North Country in the Regional tournament. Head Coach Kathleen Russell said that the team showed they could play with the best in the country, and she was proud of them.

Men’s Basketball:

The Hudson Valley Men’s Basketball team started the season off at 8-3 before going into the winter break. Coming out of the break, the team lost six of seven games to drop to a 9-9 record. They eventually won six of their last ten and finished the season 15-13, with no playoff appearances. Head Coach Mike Long said, “This team was really good and played really good, it just wasn’t good enough to make the postseason.”

Hockey:

The Hudson Valley hockey team, despite a rough season, made history: they had their first-ever female hockey player on the team this season. However, the team finished 3-10-2. Head Coach Matt Alvey said that he didn’t like the result this season but was proud of his team.

Bowling:

The Hudson Valley Bowling team played in the National Tournament again this year. The team bowled very well, but came up just short of winning. Both the men’s and women’s teams placed in the Top Ten in the nation.

Spring

Lacrosse:

The Hudson Valley Lacrosse team won one game this season, but according to Head Coach Matt Johnson, they were better than their record indicated. The team finished at a 1-9 record, but showed their toughness in their last game. The team fell behind 16-0 in the first half but showed their true colors in the second half, scoring 3 straight goals early. The team lost the game 26-4, but, Johnson said, the team played well against a better opponent.

Golf:

The Golf team at HVCC finished in first in their first tournament of the season this year. Hannah Newsome finished best on the team in second, but it was enough to push Hudson Valley to the victory.