Monday, September 22, 2003

FOUR GREYHOUNDS HONORED AS MORAVIAN STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

BETHLEHEM, PA --- Senior Lauren Castagna (Mt. Bethel, PA/Bangor HS) of the women’s tennis team, sophomore Jessica Cordani (Point Pleasant, NJ/Point Pleasant Boro HS) from the women’s soccer squad, sophomore Lindsey Siracusa (Yardley, PA/Pennsbury HS) of the women’s volleyball team and sophomore Jerry Venturino (Hopatcong, NJ/Hopatcong HS) from the football squad have been named the Moravian College Student-Athletes of the Week for their performances last week.

Castagna, a member of Moravian’s first doubles team and its third singles player, posted a 3-0 record in singles action and a 2-1 mark in doubles competition with partner, junior Becky Deringer (Allentown, PA/Dieruff HS), as the Greyhounds posted a 3-0 mark last week. Moravian is 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth this fall. The Greyhounds are scheduled to host rival Muhlenberg College on Tuesday, September 23rd in a 3:30 p.m. match.

Cordani, a midfielder, scored a pair of goals and added two assists in Moravian’s 6-0 victory over DeSales University in the squad’s only action last week. The Greyhounds remained unbeaten on the year at 3-0-2 while Cordani picked up her first points of the year. Moravian will be back in action on Thursday, September 25th in a non-conference contest at FDU-Florham beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Siracusa, a middle hitter, helped the Greyhounds to a 3-0 record last week including a 3-0 victory over Susquehanna University to open the 2003 Commonwealth Conference season. Siracusa led Moravian with a .353 hitting percentage in ten games while averaging 3.40 kills, 1.20 blocks and 1.20 digs per game. She had eight kills, five blocks and two service aces against Susquehanna, and Siracusa contributed 11 kills and five blocks in a 3-0 win over DeSales University. Siracusa finished off the week with 15 kills, eight digs and two blocks in a 3-1 victory at King’s. Moravian is 11-1 on the season and returns to action on Wednesday, September 24th in a Commonwealth Conference match at Widener University beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Venturino, a quarterback, entered the Greyhounds’ 26-14 loss at Susquehanna University in the second quarter and completed 11 of 24 passes for 164 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Venturino’s first touchdown pass was a 42-yard strike to freshman wide receiver Shawn Martell (Bethlehem, PA/Bethlehem Catholic HS) and was the first touchdown pass of his collegiate career. Venturino also connected with freshman wideout Josh Kline (Reading, PA/Exeter HS) on a four-yard scoring pass. Moravian is 1-2 overall and in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The team will host Lebanon Valley College on Saturday, September 27th at Steel Field in a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.