Mens Soccer is not backing down

Anne Arundel Community College Men’s Soccer faces injured players, but the team continues to practice hard, to have their chance to compete at Nationals.

After the Pioneers fifth lost this season the team now stands at a record of 3-5-1. The Pioneers lost their most recent home game 2-1 against Howard Community College in double overtime last Friday. 

“It could have been anyone’s game,” said head coach Nick Cosentino. “I was happy because we had guys playing out of position.”

Cosentino said he was overall happy with the effort of his players, but was disappointed in the loss.

The Pioneers began this season with a line-up of 23 players, four which are returnees from the last season, but due to injuries in practice and games the team in down six players, three which are returning players.  The injuries vary from hip flexors to sprained ankles, but the hurt players can still be seen on the sidelines supporting there team and icing their limbs.

When Cosentino was asked what are the team strengths and weaknesses he said they have a lot injured players, but once we get everyone back and healthy we should have a good chance in the playoffs.

 The team has two captains, Rob Engel and Ryan Scanlan, both returnees and sophomores at AACC.

“We’re trying to finish strong for the rest of the season until everyone gets back,” said Engel. “Hopefully we get to Nationals, that’s the main goal.”

Engel plays midfield for the Pioneers and has played soccer for six years. This alumnus of Northeast high school has scored one goal this season, but says that that is not enough.

“Everyone is stepping up,” said captain Scanlan. “Injuries are bringing us down a little bit, but I feel that we should be good.”

Scanlan, a defensive player, goes between two positions, outside mid and outside back. His strengths as a player are his speed and his mean left foot.

The team has 18 freshman players varying in skill and position, but one freshman has helped the team along. Tyler Simpson, jersey number 1, is the starting goal keeper for the Pioneers.

“I think we’re a pretty good team, we’ve got a lot of potential,” said Simpson. “We’ve got a lot of injuries right now, but once we get everyone healthy we’ll be fine.”

Simpson is ranked sixth in the conference for 25 goals saved. This North County high school graduate has played soccer since he was five years old.

The Men’s Soccer team plays away for the next three games and returning home to play Allegany College of Maryland Oct. 3 at 5p.m. Presently the team is focusing on each game to get better and everyone is confident that when their injured players return to the field they will be even better.

 

Snakes, Gators, and Spiders Oh My

    Anne Arundel Community College students were seen handling wild gators during lunch on Tuesday with the "Snakes Alive" touring program.

    Groups of students stood with amazement and fear when a Herpetologist, Tom Kessenich, allowed these young scholars to handle his 4 year old American Alligator named Itty Bitty Gator. Students held, petted, and took photos with this surprisingly heavy reptile.

    Kessenich had no fear that the students or the animals would get injured in anyway due to his 10 years of working with and handling alligators and other wild animals. Specializing in Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians, Kessenich has saved, raised, and released many wild animals that people may think are scary or dangerous. He said, "most of the animals I have are donated to me by people who don't know how to care for them and that is one of the reasons why I do this program, to inform people that these animals are not dangerous."

    Many of the students were a little timid to get near the animals, but fascination drove them to get a closer look. Morgan V. a Liberal Arts Major at AACC said, “This show is very interesting and I love most of the animals, but I'm afraid of the spider." Also this 18 year old student said, "It would be awesome to have more shows like this at the campus, maybe other wild animals like jungle cats."

    This National touring program offers eye opening knowledge and amazing experiences to hold wild reptiles. The program also is available to do birthday parties and school programs of all ages. From alligators to huge Burmese Pythons Kessenich offers a variety of possibilities to get a hands on experience with wild critters.

 Tom Kessenich and his American Alligator named Itty Bitty Gator

Not a good start

      High hopes were shackened for AACC softball when the team faced first loses for the fall season. 

      At the start of the season returning players and good new turnouts gave an increasing chase for the 2nd time regional champions to return to nationals, but 5 loses make it more difficult to make that chase possible.

      The Pioneers opened their season with a double-header against CCBC. Having played them many times the following year they knew what they were up against. Having a slow start the first game the Pioneers came out on top in the following game.

      The games to come were a different story with defensive problems, but the team earns its props for completing 6 games with only 2 practices. For what they have faced in the first week many strengths have been noted and the team is striving to improve on everything and to bring the girls closer together.

     
     
     

Inked

Shelby Smith

Inked

9/13/12

               Kelsey Perillo, a student at Anne Arundel Community College, is going under the needle for her next body modification. Perillo having many different piercing is planning to get the symbols of legendary rock band Led Zeppelin tattooed on her upper back.  To complete this task, long hours, great expenses, and sometimes nauseating pain she will have to undertake. 

               Born in Annapolis and now living in Pasadena, Perillo is surrounded by nature and she has plenty of land and water to enjoy her favorite activities. “I enjoy chilling out with my friends, smoking, and the darker sides of life and art,” said Perillo, but her favorite activity is to relax with her boyfriend on his pier.
 
            Perillo being only 18 is starting her first year at Anne Arundel Community College and is looking to see what can pop her interest as her major. Having some ideas of being an actress, she is taking acting classes at the college to further her education and to give her a nudge on the path she may take in life. And with help of her soon to be tattoo her peers will see her courage and outgoing personality.

           Going under the needle can lead to huge expenses and tattoos can range from fifty to hundreds of dollars depending on size, difficulty, the artist, and the shop. A tattoo can be a symbol that illuminates that person’s beliefs, give memory of a lost loved one, or shows that person’s strength as a fan for a certain band.  Whether if she is watching her favorite television series “Breaking Bad”, listening to the band Pink Floyd, undergoing a painful tattoo is huge step she can take in body modification.

Fall is in the Air

The time for pumpkins and falling leaves is on the way with the cool weather we've been having. Sunday the 9th of september, temperatures only topped at the lower 80's and then cooled swiftly to the upper 60's which was great for my double-header softball that late afternoon. Today temperatures felt cool with the breeze that we had. After 3 hours in the careers buliding freezing then exiting outside my only wish was for a hot cup of coffee and a blanket.

First week of school

My first week of school was better than I thought. My scare this fall semester was my Fundamentals of Weather class because I hate science. But after the first day of that class I was relievd that the class is easier than I thought. My other classes are good and I like the teachers and their way of teaching. The only struggle that I may face is having the stamina to play softball for the school and do two swimming classes. I am shocked and happy of the parking lots this fall being so empty. I hope that this semester goes smooth and that my last year at AACC can help me choose a career.