Men’s Soccer Claims CAA Title
With a two-goal rally at home in early November, the Drexel men’s soccer team not only clinched a 2-0 win over James Madison, but also wrapped up the Colonial Athletic Association regular season championship—the first in program history.
That regular season title was perhaps the greatest highlight of an historic season for the Dragons, who besides winning the CAA also became the first Drexel team in 40 years to qualify for the NCAA tournament. And though their tournament run ended in the first round with a 2-0 loss to Brown University, there’s no question that the 2012 season represented a big step forward for a program that is being rebuilt under the leadership of coach Doug Hess.
In all, the Dragons went 12-4-3 in 2012, including an impressive 4-1 win over then-No. 11 Old Dominion in late September.
Given the team’s great success, it was hardly a surprise when some of the Dragons were recognized with postseason honors. Midfielder Ken Tribbett, who finished the season with three goals—all of them gamewinners—was named a Third Team Academic All-American and a Third Team All-South Atlantic Region honoree. Meanwhile, striker Nathan Page, who led the Dragons with nine goals, earned Second Team All-South Atlantic Region honors.
Page also was named First Team All-CAA, with Tribbett earning Second Team honors along with goalkeeper Tim Washam.
Hess got his just due, as well: He was named co-CAA Coach of the Year, along with Northeastern’s Brian Ainscough.
And Field Hockey Team Does, Too
Hess’ crew wasn’t the only Drexel team to claim a championship this fall.
Roughly a week after the men’s soccer team raised their CAA trophy, the Dragons field hockey team did the same, claiming the CAA tournament title with a 2-1 win over rival Northeastern.
The championship was sealed in thrilling fashion, with sophomore Christina Conrad scoring in overtime thanks to an assist from senior captain Amanda Fleischut.
The Dragons had fallen behind soon after the opening whistle, allowing Northeastern to claim a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game, but Fleischut got an equalizer just before the half. From there, it was a battle to the end, with the Dragons eventually coming out on top.
The victory over Northeastern gave Drexel an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, where they ultimately fell 5-0 to No. 2-ranked Princeton in Charlottesville, Va.
Predictably, Fleischut was showered with postseason honors. She was named Second-Team All-America, becoming only the seventh Drexel player to receive All-American recognition. She also earned an invitation to play in the 2012 NFHCA Senior Game alongside 37 other top players from around the nation.
In all, Dragons were recognized with Division I All-Region honors, with Lindsay McArdle receiving First Team honors along with Fleischut, and Christina Conrad, Jantien Gunter and Lauren Hibsham earning Second-Team honors.