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In Review

HIGHLIGHTS A Record-breaking Season A junior field hockey player moves to the top of the record books, breaking a record that had stood for nearly three decades.
sportsRECORD PACE: Michelle Relin ’16 became the field hockey program’s all-time leading scorer this fall, breaking records set by the late Nancy Melvin Taylor ’86N (below) from 1982 to 1985. This fall, Taylor’s teammates marked the 30th anniversary of their team’s New York state and ECAC championships. (Photo: Athletics and Recreation)
sports (Photo: Athletics and Recreation)

Junior Michelle Relin moved to the top of the field hockey record books this fall, becoming the program’s all-time highest scorer and setting a record for most career goals.

But the milestones came with a poignant side. Relin, who as of late October had 128 career points (a measure of goals and assists), eclipsed records set by Nancy Melvin Taylor ’86N. Taylor, an Athletics Hall of Famer whose record stood for 28 years, died in 2003, two years after her husband, Lt. Col. Kip Taylor died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon during the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks.

“It’s humbling,” Relin told local media before Meliora Weekend, when members of the 1984 field hockey team returned for a reunion. “I had no idea she had such a compelling story, and such a moving story. I wish I could have met her this weekend.”

Meliora Weekend marked the 30th anniversary of the field hockey team’s first state and ECAC championships. The team, led by Taylor, was recognized during the four days of activities.

Relin, an optical engineering major from Lititz, Pennsylvania, first broke the career points record with two goals and an assist in a 6–1 win over St. Lawrence University in September.

The nationally ranked Yellowjackets were headed to the league playoffs in late October.

Beginning the season with eleven straight wins, the Yellowjackets set a record for the program’s best start.

Also this fall:

Cross country: The men captured the title at the SUNY Oswego Invitational, with Jeremy Hassett ’16 taking fourth place overall. The teams placed highly in several meets, including at Oberlin and their home invitational. For the women also did well, with Catherine Knox ’17 placing second at Oswego and seventh at Oberlin. Both teams were heading into state, regional, and national tournaments at the end of October.

Football: With a homecoming win over RPI, the football team was 4–2 overall and 2–2 in the Liberty League. Matt Pisano ’17 returned a fumble 87 yards for the clinching TD against RPI to end a memorable Meliora Weekend game.

Men’s soccer: The Yellowjackets were 6–4–2 and 1–2 in the conference in late October. Leading scorers were Nick Pastore ’15, Jack Thesing ’15, and Ben Keeton ’15.

Women’s soccer: The team was 5–5–3, 1–2 in the UAA in late October. The team’s leading scorer was Laura Cowie-Haskell ’18.

Rowing: The Yellowjackets first varsity eight and novice eight captured bronze medals at the Head of the Genesee Regatta in October. The varsity eight fell to only top-ranked Williams and Division II’s Mercyhurst. Volleyball: The Yellowjackets defeated Brandeis to clinch the seventh seed for the UAA championships at Carnegie Mellon in early November. Rochester was 12–17 overall.

Squash: Returning first team All-Americans Neil Cordell ’16 and Mario Yanez Tapia ’17 captured the national championship at the U.S. Squash intercollegiate doubles championship with a four-game victory over Navy. The team season was just getting under way in late October.

—Scott Sabocheck