College notebook: McConnell, Tarolli make immediate impacts
The college golf season is in full swing and two newcomers to their programs, Caroline McConnell at Bradley and Alan Tarolli at Waynesburg, both from local high schools, are making immediate impacts on their new teams.
The Bradley women’s team began the season on a high note, winning the individual and team titles at the A-Ga-Ming Invitational, hosted by Central Michigan, in Kewadin, Mich.
McConnell, a South Fayette graduate, and former WPIAL runner-up, won the individual championship in her first tournament with the Braves, prevailing over Central Michigan’s Ella Zanatta after the two golfers endured five playoff holes after each ended the 54-hole tournament tied at 6-over par.
McConnell became one of five Bradley golfers ever to win a title in their first season, and the first since 2012. McConnell, a sophomore, is a transfer from Michigan State.
“Caroline was impressive from start to finish this week,” said Bradley head coach Halley Morell. “Fifty-four holes was not enough to decide the winner. Caroline went out and battled a great competitor for five extra holes, making two birdies en route to her first win as a Brave. I can’t wait to see what else she can accomplish.”
McConnell was named the Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Week after her season-opening win. Then, she placed in the top 10 for the second time in two tournaments when she finished sixth with a score of 1-over, including a career-best round of 71, in the Redbird Invitational in Peoria, Ill.
Waynesburg had the top two finishers and won the team title at Kent State Tuscarawas’ Golden Eagle Classic at the Oak Shadows Golf Club in New Philadelphia, Ohio on Sept. 20.
The Yellow Jackets bested Presidents’ Athletic Conference foe Geneva by one stroke to win the seven-team event.
Tarolli, a freshman and Fort Cherry graduate, took medalist honors for the second time this season as he used a 3-under back nine to finish with a 73. Tarolli has taken all-tournament honors in each of the first four events of his debut season.
Chris Barrish, a Carmichaels graduate, was Waynesburg’s third scorer with an 84 in his debut with the Yellow Jackets.
Tarolli was named PAC Newcomer of the Week on Sept. 16 after winning the Bison Invitational at the Oglebay Jones Course. He was the top finisher in the 49-man field with a 1-over 72. He recorded 17 pars in the round.
Tarolli also notched an all-tournament finish at the 64-golfer Saint Vincent Invitational held at Latrobe Country Club. He notched three birdies on his way to a 78 to finish fourth.
In football
Mapletown head coach George Messich was inducted into the WVU Potomac State Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday.
Messich attended Potomac State from 1973-74 and was a member of the football team. He was selected to the NJCAA Region All-Conference and All-Region teams, and named a NJCAA All-American.
After transferring to Pitt for the 1975 season, Messich was a starting offensive tackle for the Panthers’ 1976 national championship team. He was named the Panthers’ offensive lineman of the week three times and served as captain for the Pitt-West Virginia game.
Messich is currently in his 42nd season as head coach at Mapletown, his alma mater. He was inducted into the Tri-County Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2013, the Washington-Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Greene County Hall of Fame in 2023.
N Canon-McMillan graduate Connor McMahon has been a big contributor to Navy’s 4-0 start. A senior offensive tackle, McMahon has made 26 consecutive starts for the Midshipmen.
McMahon has helped Navy’s offense average 46 points and 466 yards of total offense per game. The Midshipmen rolled up 361 rushing yards and 566 yards total offense in a 56-44 win over previously unbeaten Memphis on Sept. 21. Memphis entered the game coming off an upset win at Florida State.
Navy hosts Air Force on Saturday in the first game this season for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
N Senior defensive back Shane Kemper, a Burgettstown graduate, is the fourth-leading tackler for Clarion.
Kemper has 24 tackles, including one for a loss, one fumble recovery and one pass broken up.
N Carnegie Mellon kicker Justin Caputo, a South Fayette graduate, was named by the Presidents’ Athletic Conference as its Special Teams Player of the Week for Sept. 16-22.
Caputo accounted for nine of the Tartans’ points in a 66-0 win over Bethany. The junior got the Tartans’ scoring started with a 33-yard field goal, then converted all six of his extra-point attempts.
In soccer
Geneva’s Dominic Sambuco, a Venetia native and Peters Township graduate, was named Sept. 23 as the Presidents Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week.
Sambuco had an impactful week in two shutout victories, against Heidelberg and Muskingum. He was part of a defensive backline that did not allow a shot on goal in either game, helping Geneva dominate possession while outshooting their opponents by a combined total of 43-12. Sambuco also pushed forward on offense at times and assisted on both of Geneva’s goals Saturday against Muskingum, including a cross to Wil Dunda 20 seconds into the match that set Dunda up for a goal.
In volleyball
Lenoir Rhyne’s Jenna Vogen, a senior outside hitter from Canonsburg, is the team leader with 146 digs and second with 113 kills. She also has 20 blocks and 13 service aces for the Bears, who have a 13-0 record.
A transfer from Niagara, Vogen had a season-high 16 kills and 18 service points against North Carolina Pembroke, and 17 digs against Coker.
At Canon-McMillan, Vogen was named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association All-State Team in both 2019 and 2020.