Concord University Athletics

This is the best finish for Concord in the regular season, and a #2 seeded in the WVIAC tournament is also a first,” Coach Joe Blankenship states proudly,” but to make the NCAA II nationals is a little beyond words. The players worked very hard this year, starting in August when they arrived and ending hopefully in a trip to the sweet sixteen later this month.” 

With a record of 9-1, in conference, and 14-5 overall this has been one of the sports most productive seasons.
This year’s team is made up of four freshmen, two sophomores and a lone senior.   Leading the way is all-conference players  freshman Leonardo Araujo and sophomore Joao Michiatti from Brazil. Freshmen Andrew Iruthayarajah of Canada, and Armando Estevz of Spain, along with sophomore Filip Crvenkovic all add to the international flavor. Rounding out the squad is two of West Virginia’s finest, freshman Cody Vinson and the lone Senior and team Captain Matt Lester.

This squad has travelled from Georgia to Ohio this season in their quest for regional recognition and it has paid off in a earning the regional bid.  

The first round matches will be held on the campus of Kutztown University (PA). Concord, seeded 5^th will face the 4^th seeded Shaw University Bears of North Carolina, at 11:00am on Thursday May 7, 2009.  Shaw enters regional play with a overall record of 21-1 and are the Champions of the CIAA conference regular season and tournament for the 5^th straight year.   The winner of this contest will face the winner of the second match between the #1 seed Kutztown and 8^th seeded Millersville College, at 1:00 pm on Friday May 8, 2009. The winner of that match will secure a place at the NCAA II ‘sweet sixteen’ in Altamonte Springs, Florida, May 13-14-15.