GOLF TEAM FINISHES THIRD, PLAYERS WIN LIBERTY LEAGUE AWARDS

The Skidmore College golf team shot a third-round 286 on Sunday to finish third out of 17 teams at the Skidmore Fall Invitational at the Saratoga Spa State Park Course. The Thoroughbreds finished behind only Amherst and Trinity and were 10 strokes ahead of fourth-place NYU. 

Jaden Cheng and Rudraksha Banerjee both shot 2-under 70s on Sunday. Cheng’s brought him under par for the tournament (74-71-70—215) to finish tied for third. The first-year birdied 10, 11, 14 and recorded par on 14 out of the other 15 holes for the 70. Banerjee (76-76-70—222) tied for 26th. His third round featured five birdies. As a team, Skidmore was second with 42 birdies for the tournament and fourth with 166 pars.

“We played solid this weekend and made a nice run today to finish third, which gives us great momentum into the offseason,” said Head Coach Tom Oppedisano. “Congrats to first-year Jaden Cheng on his third-place individual finish. And a huge thank you to Saratoga State Park Golf Course for being a great partner.”

Cheng was selected as the Liberty League Men’s Golf Rookie of the Week for the week ending Oct. 12. Patrick McLaughlin also earned Performer of the Week honors.

Skidmore’s golf team will return to play in the spring with five tournaments before the Liberty League Championship in late April.

TENNIS TEAM COMPLETES FALL SEASON

The Skidmore College men’s tennis team completed its fall schedule over the weekend as it hosted the Skidmore Open against several of the nation’s top teams at the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center. Mahen Bitkuri had a first-round victory (7-5, 6-4) in the C Flight Singles draw against Swarthmore’s Nicholas Choo. The first-year player dropped his quarterfinal match despite forcing a first-set tiebreak. 

Also in the C Flight, Nika Mori battled from a dropped opening set to force a third-set tiebreak against Nathan Jackson of Middlebury. Kyle Lundberg and Ege Topbas advanced to the semifinals of the Doubles C Flight thanks to a 6-4 win over their opponents from Denison.

The men’s tennis team will pick up its schedule in February for the beginning of its dual-match slate.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SQUAD WINS TWO

The Skidmore College volleyball team hit .410 as a unit while sticking St. Lawrence at 17 in all three sets in a sweep on the road over the Saints on Friday evening. Skidmore, now at 9-8 overall, improves 2-2 in the Liberty League at the halfway point of its conference schedule. First-year Chloe Heitman powered the Thoroughbreds. She finished with 12 kills on 23 swings (.391 percentage) with three aces, two blocks (one solo), and six digs. Maya Stolarz and Natalie Pedersen both had nine kills. Pedersen added a solo block, while Stolarz had three digs, a block, and an assist. With the victory, Skidmore has now defeated St. Lawrence in four consecutive seasons.

Prior to that win, the Thoroughbreds defeated Vermont State University Castleton in four sets (25-12, 20-25, 25-19, 25-13) on Oct. 7. Skidmore used kills from eight different players while hitting .219 as a team including a .407 mark in the decisive fourth set. Heitman led the way with 12 kills with four digs. Stolarz had nine kills to go with three blocks and three digs.

Up next, the volleyball squad will travel to William Smith on Saturday, Oct. 18.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The memory of Olivia Allen, a Saratoga Springs High School grad who succumbed to leukemia in March 2024, continues to reverberate across the community and beyond.

Allen played for the field hockey team, which recently posted a photo of socks they wear in her honor. “Live Like Liv,” the words written on those socks, has become both a charitable foundation and a motto designed to memorialize Allen and draw inspiration from her life.

In May of last year, the Saratoga lacrosse team raised $10,000 for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation’s LaCROSSe Out Cancer campaign. They repeated the feat in May of this year, this time raising $16,000 in support of childhood cancer research.

In July, Kelly’s Angels gave two $1,500 “Live Like Liv” scholarships to local students Katelyn Hogan and Charlotte Grobarcik.

“Liv will forever be remembered for her radiant spirit and the positive impact that she made,” writes the Live Like Liv Foundation on its website. “Above all, Olivia is known for her ability to love which knew no bounds, and her family’s love for her was equally boundless. To her friends and family, Olivia was known for her infectious smile and genuine kindness. She was fun, determined and empathetic. Her ability to brighten even the darkest of days will be remembered fondly by those who were fortunate enough to know and love her. Liv’s legacy will endure through the memories, lessons, and love she shared with the world. She leaves behind a profound impact on all who knew her, a legacy of bravery, compassion, and courageousness that will continue to inspire us all.”

Allen graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2023 and planned to attend Florida State University to study nursing. She played for the Blue Streaks field hockey and gymnastic teams.

BALLSTON SPA — She’s one of the best softball players in the world and she’s from Ballston Spa.

Ana Gold’s professional accolades include earning Rookie of the Year honors from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), which wrapped up its inaugural season earlier this summer. She was also named to the league’s All-Defensive Team as a corner infielder. Gold led all rookies and was tied for fifth among all players in the AUSL with a .373 batting average. She also finished fourth in the league in slugging percentage (.667).

In college, her career slash line was .306/.408/.614. She smacked 54 homers, 7 triples, and 29 doubles for the Duke University Blue Devils. She also stole 53 bases and totaled 204 hits in 666 at-bats. She set a number of Duke softball records, including smashing two grand slams in one game and knocking in 8 runs in a single game. She also set the program’s all-time career home run record.

At Ballston Spa High School, she was ranked the No. 39 prospect in the country (according to Extra Innings Softball), was named three times to the Suburban Council’s First Team, and was a two-time Second Team All-Stater. She batted .411 with 12 home runs and 33 RBI as a freshman before improving to .418 with nine home runs and 34 RBI as a sophomore.

And now, she’s been named to the USA Softball Women’s National Team roster. 

The squad is set to compete in a series of exhibition games against the Australian Women’s National Team, the Aussie Spirit, from Dec. 31 through Jan. 3 in Brisbane, Australia. The games aim to promote the sport of softball as both nations advocate for its inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic program.

The 16-player roster features five newcomers, including Gold, who will make their debut alongside 11 returning veterans, including seven members of the 2025 World Games gold medal squad.

Leading Team USA in Australia will be Head Coach Patty Gasso, accompanied by assistant coaches John Bargfeldt, Trisha Ford, and Lincoln Martin.

“I am extremely excited to bring a strong group of young athletes, along with some experienced veterans, to Australia,” Gasso said in a press release. “This opportunity will allow them to showcase their talents and promote the sport of softball in front of fans and officials in Australia. With Australia hosting the Olympics in 2032, it’s crucial to put on a great show for the audience… We need to ensure that softball remains an important part of the 2032 Olympics!”

With sights set on inclusion in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic program, Team USA will take on Australia in a series of exhibition games beginning Dec. 31 at Redlands Softball Park in Ormiston, Queensland. The trip marks the Red, White and Blue’s first visit “down under” since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, where Team USA captured gold.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Bikeatoga’s Saratoga Foliage Ride, a two-day cycling festival that will be held on Oct. 11 and 12, will aim to promote bike tourism while also raising funds for a bike workshop.

Bikeatoga believes that the City of Saratoga Springs has failed to capitalize on bike tourism, which it calls a “significant opportunity to bring in new visitors.” According to a study by the Outdoor Industry Association, bicycle tourism generates $83 billion a year nationwide in economic activity. Bikeatoga board member Ed Lindner says the city has what it takes to bring those tourist dollars to the Spa City.

“We have hundreds of miles of scenic, low traffic cycling routes surrounding a nationally famous Victorian small city,” Lindner said in a news release. “You can ride in the morning on country roads passing horse and dairy farms, spend your afternoon exploring downtown shops and end the evening in one of our many great restaurants and bars. It’s really a bike tourist’s dream destination.”

Bikeatoga thinks those attributes are driving the success of its Saratoga Foliage Ride, a fundraiser for the Bikeatoga workshop, where volunteer mechanics refurbish used bikes and get them back out to anyone in the community who needs one on a free or “pay what you can” basis. In 2024, local families adopted 700 bikes from the Bikeatoga workshop, including 73 bikes in their December Kids’ Bike Giveaway. They also provide free pop-up bike repairs around the city.

Lindner thinks the success of the Saratoga Foliage Ride demonstrates local bike tourism’s potential. Only in its third year, the event is expected to draw more than two hundred riders from nine states throughout the northeast and as far away as Maine, Florida, Ohio, and Canada. Nearly 60% of participants stay for the weekend and ride both days. Many of those riders are coming back after riding last year. 

Local businesses are also getting involved. According to Lindner, “Bikeatoga is always looking for ways to get our riders downtown after the ride and we’re thrilled to partner with local bars and restaurants on the Foliage Ride Happy Hour.” 

Riders wearing Foliage Ride wristbands will get exclusive happy hour discounts from Whitman Brewing Company, the Henry Street Taproom, Bocage Champagne Bar, Cooperstown Distillery, Bibulous, and Kindred.

Darryl Leggieri, President of Discover Saratoga is optimistic about the future. “Cycling tourism continues to be a growing market, and the Saratoga Foliage Ride is a wonderful example of how our community can attract visitors who want to experience the beauty of Saratoga County in an active and memorable way,” he said. “With riders coming from across the country, this event not only showcases our stunning fall landscapes but also drives real economic impact for our local hotels, restaurants, and shops.” 

Riders on the Saratoga Foliage Ride will start the day with coffee and pastries from the Bread Basket Bakery; choose from routes of 30, 50, or 75 miles each day; and then return for a hot lunch catered by the Front Street Deli. For more information or to register, visit www.SaratogaFoliageRide.com.

FRESHMAN TENNIS PLAYER CAPTURES SINGLES TITLE

The Skidmore College women’s tennis team capped a successful hosting of the 2025 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northeast Regional Championships with a stellar final day, highlighted by freshman Ginevra Muratori capturing the Singles title before teaming with fellow freshman Amelie Gonzalez for a runner-up finish in doubles play. 

Muratori began her day by cruising past RPI’s Kaaviya Kannan in the semifinals round, conceding just one game to win 6-1, 6-0 and advancing onto the title match. In the championship match, Muratori fended off NYU’s Victoria Wang with a comfortable 6-4, 6-2 victory to be crowned as Skidmore’s first singles champion since Risa Fukushige won in 2018 alongside punching her ticket onto next month’s ITA Cup tournament. More notably, Muratori’s championship run saw the freshman face and defeat high-seeded opponents through nearly every round of play.

In doubles play, Muratori/Gonzalez took down Kast/Bondarenko of NYU with a decisive 8-5 victory in the semifinals to advance onto the championship match, guaranteeing a spot in next month’s ITA Cup tournament. Facing RPI’s Jaiswal/Ridenour in the championship match, the Thoroughbred duo jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead but couldn’t fend off an unrelenting Engineers comeback to fall 3-8.

WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM VICTORIOUS 

The Skidmore College women’s soccer team continued its strong start to Liberty League play with a tightly-contested 2–1 road victory over St. Lawrence on Saturday afternoon. Following a scoreless first half, the Thoroughbreds (4-2-2, 2-0 Liberty League) came alive offensively coming out of halftime, fueled by a goal and assist from junior Hazel Aiello and a team-leading fifth goal from fellow junior Abby Lewis. Skidmore outshot the Saints (4-3-2, 0-1 Liberty League) 11-to-8 with 5-to-1 edge corner kicks in the second half to close out the win.

MEN’S SOCCER SQUAD SHUTS OUT ST. LAWRENCE

Senior Connor Mansfield and sophomore Dylan Moore scored in quick succession to lift the Skidmore College men’s soccer team to a 2-0 shutout win over St. Lawrence on Saturday afternoon at Wachenheim Field. Picking up the first conference win of the season, the Thoroughbreds (4-1-3, 1-0-1 Liberty League) scored twice within a 90-second stretch early in the first half and made enough plays defensively the rest of the game to defeat the Saints (2-6, 0-2 Liberty League) for the first time since 2016.

VOLLEYBALL TEAM SWEEPS RIT

The Skidmore College volleyball team rolled to a sweep (25-18, 25-18, 25-13) on the road at RIT on Saturday afternoon. The victory gives Skidmore a weekend split to open Liberty League play. The Thoroughbreds are 7-7 overall. Maya Stolarz led all players with 13 kills on 29 swings and a .379 attack percentage. Natalie Pedersen finished with six kills without an error on 12 attacks for an even .500 percentage. Marlowe McIntyre had a team-high 15 digs to go along with a pair of aces. Overall, Skidmore hit .230 as a team while limiting RIT to .019 with percentages at zero or below in two out of the three sets. Up next, Skidmore will host Union next Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. in a Liberty League showdown.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Skidmore College’s new turf baseball field, first announced in Feb. 2024, was dedicated last weekend in honor of alum Matt Ferrari.

Named Ferrari Field, the diamond is located at 205 Daniels Road, the former site of the Saratoga-Wilton Soccer Club. 

Matt Ferrari was part of the 2005 Skidmore baseball team that was inducted into the school’s hall of fame in 2011. The squad was credited with ushering in “a new era in Skidmore baseball,” earning the program’s first winning record (28-14), highest number of wins, and highest winning percentage (.667%). The team captured the 2005 Liberty League regular season title and Tournament Championship. They were also the first Skidmore baseball team to play in the NCAA Division III tournament. They entered the NCAA New York Regional Tournament as the No. 2 seed, garnered two victories, and ultimately placed third. The team was recognized as one of the top 30 baseball teams in the country by the American Baseball Coaches Association. 

This year’s Thoroughbreds finished with a 21-17-2 record, ending their season on May 10 with a 14-3 loss to Rensselaer in a Liberty League Tournament elimination game.

In addition to supporting the construction of the new baseball field, Ferrari also summited Mount Everest earlier this year, posing at the top of the mighty mountain with a Skidmore baseball banner.

State Champ Schuylerville Remains Perfect This Season

The Schuylerville varsity football squad, 2024 Class C state champions, won their third game of the season on Sept. 19, defeating Hudson 49 to 22. The Black Horses are now 3-0 heading into a Sept. 26 contest at home against Granville/Whitehall. Against the Hudson Bluehawks, sophomore running back Ernie DaCosta rushed 119 yards and found the endzone 3 times on just 8 carries. Junior Max Montgomery added 4 rushing TDs and 85 yards. DaCosta also caught one pass for 34 yards.

Saratoga Field Hockey Now 6-2 After Undefeated Streak

After winning their first five games in a row, the Saratoga Springs varsity field hockey team is now 6-2 on the season after a 5-4 double overtime loss to Bethlehem Central on Sept. 15 and a 5-0 loss to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake on Sept. 17. The Blue Streaks rebounded, however, with a 5-2 victory against Shenendehowa on Sept. 19. In that contest, Andi Schiffer scored 1 goal, standout Mia Khazin had 3 goals, Maddy Finn added 1 goal, and Alexis Georgeadis had 9 saves for Saratoga.

Scotties Beat Amsterdam

The Ballston Spa High School football team soundly defeated Amsterdam, 27 to 6, last Friday. The game was tied 6-6 at halftime but the Scotties went wild in the third quarter, scoring 21 points and mounting a lead too large for Amsterdam to overcome. Jacob Thomas led the way with a rushing touchdown, followed not long afterwards by a Tyler Perkins TD. The third endzone appearance of the quarter came when quarterback Chris Duclos hit Wyatt Older for a huge 77-yard catch. The Scotties will look to keep the good vibes rolling when they head to Queensbury for a Friday night game. 

Spa Catholic Volleyball Victorious

On Sept. 22, the Saratoga Central Catholic volleyball team beat Tamarac 3-0, improving to a 6-3-1 record on the season. For the Saints, Margaret Crowe had 8 kills and 4 aces while Gia Roche earned 7 kills and 7 aces.

Schuylerville Boys Soccer Shuts Out Gloversville

Thomas Tyler recorded 2 goals and Dean Barraclough dished out 3 assists to lead the Black Horses to a 6-0 shutout victory on Sept. 19 against Gloversville. Schuylerville now has a 2-3-2 overall record for the season.

Blue Streaks Football Falls for First Time This Season

The Saratoga Springs varsity football team fell to 2-1 on the year after losing to Christian Brothers Academy, 40 to 21 last Friday. The lopsided affair saw solid outings from Blue Streak running back Benjamin Coryea (16 carries for 213 yards and 1 touchdown) and wide receiver John Dunne (2 catches for 39 yards and a touchdown). Saratoga will next travel to Shaker for a Sept. 26 game. 

Saints Soccer Squad Results

Sept. 12: Saratoga Central Catholic (SCC) 0 @ Cambridge 1.

Sept. 15: Whitehall 6 @ SCC 0 (played at Saratoga High School).

Sept. 18: SCC 3 @ NorthWarren 1 (two Saints goals scored by Addison Quail, one goal by 

Alison Fuller).

Sept. 19: Germantown 1 @ SCC 2 (played at Skidmore College; two Saints goals scored by Addison Quail).

Sept. 22: Watervliet 1 @ SCC 8.

Saints record for the season: 3-5-1.