ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. -- The sixth-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson women's bowling team finished in first at the second and final Northeast Conference meet.
The No. 6 Knights went 7-2 over the two-day meet and finished NEC play in second place in the standings at 11-7. The Knights finished four games behind Sacred Heart.
Head coach
Mike LoPresti told FDUKnights.com after competition, "Unless you have experienced a NEC bowling meet, it is hard to comprehend how difficult it is to compete in. That is why we are very proud of our team for ending the weekend with the best win-loss record of the meet." LoPresti added, "We have players grinding it out and stepping all weekend long. The reward is thst we have climbed up the standings to second and the second seed in the conference tournament. This team continues to improve and grow. That could not have happened at a better time."
Individually, the Knights had three of the top five bowlers;
Melanie Hannon first,
Karsyn Lukosius fourth and
Morgan Brown fifth. Hannon led the field with a 208.6 average over seven traditional team games. Lukosius rolled to a 201.7 average and Brown was at a 197.4.
Saturday featured three total-pin-fall baker and two traditional matches. The Knights had a bye in the first traditional match round.
The day started with a 1,009-867 win over Caldwell. The Knights had four games over 200 and the fifth game at 191. Game two was the best for the Knights as they rolled a 215.
Match two of Saturday was against No. 25 St. Francis Brooklyn. The Terriers clipped the Knights by 10 pins, 953-943. Fairleigh Dickinson was leading after three games but St. Francis Brooklyn won game four 195-159 and game five 232-199.
Fairleigh Dickinson got back into the win column in the final baker match against No. 15 Red Flash of Saint Francis U. The Knights prevailed 960-916. Fairleigh Dickinson led after each game, but the margin was only one pin after two games. The Knights then opened a 22-pin lead after game three, but the Red Flash cut the deficit to three heading to game five. In game five Fairleigh Dickinson won 212-171.
In the Knights lone traditional match of the day following a bye, the Knights topped No. 17 LIU Brooklyn 966-902.
Amanda Schilling tallied a 216 to lead the way. Lukosius and Brown were also over 200 for the Knights.
Sunday was filled with five traditional games for the Knights.
The day got started with the first of three straight wins for the Knights over No. 10 Sacred Heart, 1019-1003. Lukosius and Hannon were locked in and posted a 227 and 225 respectively.
Laura Branch and Brown were also over 190 for the Knights.
Win number two was a 1005-809 triumph over Duquesne. Hannon improved by a pin to a 226. Schilling had her best game of the day at a 222 and Branch had a 216, which was her best of the day.
The third win versus Caldwell was the closest of the three, 977-970. Hannon and Lukosius rolled identical 218s. The Knights also got a 196 from Brown and a 195 from Branch.
For the second time over two days, the Knights fell to St. Francis Brooklyn. This time it was 931-909 in traditional game four. Hannon had a 225 and Brown was at a 194, but it was not enough.
Fairleigh Dickinson ended the day strong with a 1022-839 win over Saint Francis U. Three Knights were over 200; led Lukosius' 237 -- tied for the best game of the weekend. Brown and Hannon were also over 200.
Branch finished with an average 181 over seven games, and Schilling recorded a 193.6 clip over five games. Schilling's average is her best of the season at a tournament.
The Knights are back in action next weekend for the Monmouth Hawk Flight Classic in Abescon, New Jersey.
