Around The USCAA - 11/7/16

Around the USCAA is a weekly article that highlights current happenings, key matchups, and relevant news stories from across the association. If you have a relevant news piece that you would like considered for inclusion please send it to info@theuscaa.com.

Dougher Reaches Coaching Milestone at SMCC

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine— Brian Dougher, Head Men's Soccer Coach at Southern Maine Community College, has achieved a milestone that no other coach in program history has accomplished, 100 wins.

Dougher reached the triple-digit mark on the final game of his 2016 campaign in the SeaWolves' 2-0 win over the College of St. Joseph's (Vt.) in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) semi-final game on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Dougher, in the completion of his 12^th season at the helm of the men's soccer program, has coached to a 100-68-12 (W-L-D) career record and has led his teams to nine winning seasons since his debut in 2005. In 2011, his best season, the team was 13-4-1.

During his coaching tenure, the SeaWolves have qualified for three United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national tournament appearances in 2005, 2007, and 2011, captured two YSCC titles in 2007 and 2011, and finished as YSCC runners-up in 2010 and 2016. Dougher was voted by his peers as the YSCC Coach of the Year in 2007, 2010, and 2011.

Coach Dougher commented, "It's been a wonderful experience working with a great staff and awesome players over the years. To think back when I first arrived at SMCC with the opportunity given to me by Matt Richards—we've achieved so much as a program." 

*Article Courtesy of Southern Maine Community College Athletic Website

Lady Mustangs Bring Home Davis College Tipoff Tournament Championship

The MACU Lady Mustangs began the weekend with high expectations and ended the weekend with a 2-0 record and a tournament championship to match.

Beginning with a match-up against fellow USCAA member Penn State Mont Alto the Mustangs took control early and never looked back.  Midway through the first quarter sophomore Talethia Alexander would enter the game with the Mustangs holding a three point lead and would help to increase the lead on the strength of four first quarter three pointers to take a 32-11 lead at the end of the first.   The strong interior play of the Mustangs throughout the evening would prove to be to much for the Nittany Lions as Tierra Lester would record her first double double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds and Montana Moore would record her first of the season with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

In the championship game on Saturday, the Mustangs would face a difficult test as they took on the host school and USCAA member Davis College.  A tight contest throughout would eventually see MACU enter into the fourth quarter with a 10 point lead, that would quickly evaporate to 1 with just under 6 minutes to play.  From there the Mustangs would take control with a suffocating team defense that enabled them to finish the game on a 14-3 run and claim the 2016 Davis College Tipoff Tournament Championship by a final score of 79-67.

The weekend was marked by several significant achievements for the Women's Basketball program.  Beginning Friday the Lady Mustangs were able to open the season with a win for the first time in program history as they were also able to set a new record for points scored in a game with 92.  The most significant achievement of the weekend was clearly the Tournament Championship which is the programs first since entering the collegiate ranks for the 2012-13 season.  

"What can you say about this team. Months ago we stood on the soccer field after conditioning and they told me we were going to go up there and win the tournament, and THEY delivered.  I think the most important thing there is that they delivered the championship as a team.  No one saw themselves as bigger than the team and everyone did their part and celebrated their teammates successes as if it were their own.  It was a total team effort.  I couldn't be more proud of them."  ~ Coach Troxell

The Lady Mustangs return to the court on Friday November 11 to take on Trinity College of Florida at 4pm in their home opener.  

*Article Courtesy of Mid-Atlantic Christian Athletic Website

PSU Beaver Lady Lions and WAMO 100 Unite

On Sunday, October 30th, our women's basketball program teamed up with the Pittsburgh hip-hop radio station WAMO 100 for its annual fall fest.  The event included a DJ from WAMO, performances from area dance studios, a Halloween costume contest for the kids as well as games and several other exciting events.  The Lady Lions volunteered their time at three tables of nail painting.  "Anyone that wanted their nails painted had the opportunity to get them done for free by our ladies."  Coach Moore estimated that the team painted over 100 peoples nails in about 3 hours.  Along with painting nails, the ladies also passed out candy to the children.  "This was an amazing event" says Coach Moore.  "Anytime there is a huge community event like this where you see so many different people volunteering their time and making it special for the kids is an extraordinary thing to be a part of."

*Article Courtesy of Penn State Beaver Athletic Website

Follow USCAA Fall Championship Week Action by visiting our championship websites!

Official Soccer National Championship Website 

Official Volleyball National Championship Website 

Official Cross Country National Championship Website