GCC

The Genesee Community College men’s soccer team is on to the Region III Finals on Sunday afternoon and will play for a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament. The No.1 team in the country defeated Tompkins-Cortland Community College on Saturday afternoon, to set themselves up with an opportunity for a second-straight appearance in the national tournament.

The Cougars had minimal scoring chances in the first half and were unable to find the back of the net. Dom Francis nearly tallied the game’s first goal midway through the first half off of a free kick just outside the box, but his bid sailed over the top of the TC3 net. Another Francis free kick opportunity later in the half was on the mark, but saved by the TC3 goalkeeper.

Tompkins-Cortland had the best scoring opportunity of the opening period. Having to dive to make a save, GCC goalkeeper Jake O’Leary left a vacated net with a free ball in the box. The Panthers managed to get a shot off, but Genesee defender Sam Cassidy was able to step in to make the save and kept TC3 off the board. Both teams went scoreless into the break.

In the second half, Francis was able to break through and put the Cougars on the board. The sophomore forward fended off a Panthers defender and lofted a lefty shot over the TC3 goalkeeper and into the net for his 28th goal of the season to give GCC a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute.

Genesee kept the pressure on and upped their lead in the 62nd minute when Nathan Rose snuck into the middle of the TC3 defense and headed in a cross that gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

GCC added another insurance goal in the 87th minute when George Anthony beat the TC3 goalie, and the Genesee defense held to knock off the Panthers, 3-0.

Genesee will play Herkimer County Community College tomorrow at 1pm for the Region III Championship and a trip to the national tournament on the line. It will be a rematch of an October 16th meeting in which GCC defeated Herkimer, 2-1. During that meeting, Herkimer was the No.1 team in the country and Genesee was No.2. Tomorrow, Genesee will defend the No.1 ranking with Herkimer ranked No.2. Only one team will represent Region III in the national tournament.

The Genesee Community College volleyball team captured the Region III Division II title on Tuesday night, defeating Mercyhurst North East three sets to none.

The Lady Cougars dominated the first set, winning 16 of the first 18 points. They went on to win, 25-9.

GCC took an 8-1 lead in the second set and never saw their lead drop below six points at any time. They took the second set, 25-17.

Mercyhurst held their first lead of the match early in the third set when they jumped out in front 2-0. Genesee scored nine of the next ten points, taking a 9-3 and never looked back, winning the final set 25-10.

Leyinska Quiles had 23 assists and four digs, Carrie Blunt had eight kills, Stephanie Maddox tallied five digs and four aces and Karin Davis added nine digs.

Maddox, Quiles and Blunt were named to the Region III Division II All-Tournament team for GCC. Davis was named the MVP.

The Lady Cougars will move on to the NJCAA District Tournament, which begins on November 3rd.

The Genesee Community College men’s soccer team edged out Erie Community College in the quarterfinals of the Region III playoffs on Tuesday night, downing the visiting Kats 1-0.

A slick pitch caused the Cougars to lack offensive rhythm throughout the match as a number of passes sailed off the mark. Genesee had only a few scoring opportunities in the first half, including a cross from Dom Francis to Aaron Dunks midway through, that Dunks shot over the Erie net from about 20 yards out.

(Liam Ross, yellow, starts the charge for GCC in Tuesday night's Region III playoff match)

Dunks would make up for it, as the freshman tallied the only goal of the game in the 49th minute of the second half to put the Cougars on the board. GCC was unable to capitalize on another scoring chance the rest of the night, but Jake O’Leary kept Erie off the board while in net for the Cougars.

Genesee, the overall number one seed, will move on to the semifinals this weekend in Herkimer, NY. The Cougars will take on Tompkins-Cortland Community College on Saturday afternoon at 3pm.

Student members of Phi Theta Kappa at Genesee Community College -- at 1 College Road in Batavia -- will host their second annual "Walk for a Cure" to assist victims of breast cancer on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. until an unspecified time. The walk itself will last 30-45 minutes, followed by a post-walk event in the student forum beginning around 11 a.m.

The walk will start at GCC's nature trail, which is on the west side of the campus, and then wind through the nearby woods and across the field, ending at the student forum.

Guest speakers will include two people from "Komen for the Cure" and a GCC student who is a breast cancer survivor. Food, drinks, a Chinese Auction and a raffle will be included.

This event is open to the public. The cost is $3 for the walk, or $7 for the walk plus a t-shirt. Tickets and t-shirts will be for sale the morning of the event, but they can be purchased along with Chinese Auction tickets on Thursday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration is not required.

For more information, e-mail Michelle Williams at sixxpup1@yahoo.com.

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team dropped a 4-0 contest to Herkimer County Community College on Sunday afternoon, falling to 4-11-1 on the season.

The Lady Generals, the eighth-ranked team in the NJCAA Division III National Poll, took the lead with a goal just two minutes into the opening half. Herkimer added to their lead with two goals in less than thirty-seconds in the 26th minute, taking a 3-0 advantage. They scored again in the 32nd minute to take a 4-0 lead.

That would be all the scoring as GCC played a tough second half, but failed to capitalize on any scoring opportunity. Nicole Patterson made 11 saves in net for Genesee. Kaeleigh DiSalvo had four shots on net.

(#2 Marisa Fox tries to hold off a Herkimer attacker)

For Herkimer, Kaitlyn Lyon scored twice and Melissa Stec and Francesca Robinson each added a goal.

Genesee will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Jamestown Community College-Olean for a 6pm start.

Press release:

Those considering a career in engineering, biotechnology or computerized drafting and design may be eligible for up to $8,500 in grants to cover tuition and other fees for an associate degree from Genesee Community College.

The funds are available through Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, GLOW Workforce Investment Board, and Rochester Works! as a new state and federal initiative with the New York and U.S. departments of labor.

The Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways Project is intended to serve as a pipeline connecting talented students with existing and emerging manufacturing industries in the nine county Finger Lakes region. These jobs differ from traditional production or "unskilled labor" jobs because they require specialized skills, a higher level of training and offer a more flexible approach to creating products.

Instead of stocking goods for sale at a later date, advanced manufacturing builds inventory for immediate, or near-future sale, and requires an educated and skilled workforce to deliver a more focused demand.

The core competencies needed to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding and emerging fields of biomedicine, optics, photonics and nanoelectronics can be acquired in any of three associate degrees available at GCC: Engineering Science, Biotechnology and Computerized Drafting and Design. Students enrolled in additional academic programs at Finger Lakes and Monroe Community Colleges may also qualify for the funding program.

"Because the demand for certain jobs is so high, we want to focus on helping our workforce adapt to the changing technology and needs of modern manufacturers," said Bill Rotenberg, grant coordinator for the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, which is administering the grant. We also want to create awareness for the unemployed and our future workforce of the career and training opportunities available in this region."

Rotenberg says the goal of the grant program is to place participants in jobs that will earn an average annual salary of $45,000.

The grant, which covers tuition, books and fees over the course of a two-year degree program, is open to those who meet the following criteria:

•     18 years of age

•     High school diploma or G.E.D.

•     Unemployed

For more information about the grant and the exciting career possibilities available with advanced manufacturing, contact William Rotenberg at (315) 789-3131 or via email: amcn@fingerlakesworks.com.

GCC is also gearing-up for a first-time, one-credit course aimed at exploring the pathway of engineered products from invention to production to sales. The EGR 100 – Introduction to Engineering course will be offered for the spring 2013 semester at the Batavia Campus to introduce engineering concepts in all disciplines including mechanical, biomedical, civil, environmental, chemical, computer, electrical, aerospace, nuclear and architecture.

The eight-week class will feature presentations by working engineers and visits to production facilities. For more information on the course and its prerequisites, call GCC Engineering instructor Ronald Schumacher at 343-0055, ext. 6303, or via email: rvschumacher@genesee.edu.

Press release:

Even though numerous studies indicate a college degree improves earning power and career longevity, one of the challenges facing higher education is helping students commit to and complete a degree or certificate.

The honor society Phi Theta Kappa at Genesee Community College is hoping to improve the graduation rate by adopting a new project called Community College Completion Corps, also known as C4.

On Thursday, Oct. 4, PTK members are sponsoring an event to encourage students to sign a pledge to complete their degree and learn just how essential completion is for their future success. A ceremony to launch the year-long campaign, which is part of a statewide "Commit to Complete" initiative, will take place at 12:30 p.m. in room T102 of the Conable Technology Building on the Batavia Campus.

"We know that employers value seeing degrees on applications and resumes, even for students just starting out, because it indicates a person can set and stick to a goal," said PTK co-Vice President Emmeline Vacanti, of Alexander. Fellow board member Taylor Schutt, of Cheektowaga, said initially, her goal was to get a GCC fashion degree, but decided it was not her passion and quickly became discouraged. But she said she "found a new dream and now I'm on track to pursue a new goal," and hopes her personal story helps illustrate to others that they, too, can overcome obstacles and reach their goals, one step at a time.

The GCC chapter of PTK is launching this new initiative under the guidance of a new team of officers. Psychology Associate Professor Elise Banfield will continue to serve as advisor to the club and Eileen Blackwell, a psychology and human services instructor, will serve as co-advisor.

The remainder of the PTK leadership team is made of up students: Thomas Wieszczyk (of Dansville) will serve as president and regional VP for all of Western New York, Taylor Schutt and Emmeline Vacanti will share the vice presidency, Batavia's Michelle Williams takes on public relations duties, Courtney Dart (Alexander) will serve as secretary and Marcy Lorenzi (Alden) will assume the responsibilities of chapter Webmaster.

The honor society is also launching a push to gain more members. Michelle says there are hundreds of GCC students eligible for membership, but just a few dozen actually join. "I don't think they appreciate how valuable membership is. I've gotten inquiries from several four-year colleges, with offers of scholarships, just because I belong to PTK!"

Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918, and serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two year college students and provides opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming. Students must earn a GPA of 3.6 for initial membership.

For more information about the C4 initiative or PTK, please contact Elise Banfield at 343-0055 x6294, or via email: ecbanfield@genesee.edu.

The Genesee Community College volleyball team defeated Finger Lakes Community College three sets to none on Tuesday night, their final regular season home match of the year.

Coming off of a winless trip to the Grand Rapids Community College Tournament in Michigan this past weekend, the Lady Cougars won a back-and-forth first set 25-23.

In the second set, Stephanie Maddox served to four-straight early points to put GCC out in front 5-1. Genesee kept their distance thanks in part to Karin Davis, who served four striaight points, including a couple of aces, and won the second set 25-14.

Genesee never trailed in the third set and seperated themselves from the Lady Lakers at the 21st point of the final game. Leading 11-9, Maddox again served to four straight points and gave GCC a 15-9 lead. The Lady Cougars took the third and final set 25-17.

Genesee improves their overall record to 11-18 and will travel to Mercyhurst North East for their next contest on Thursday night.

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team shut out visiting Corning Community College on Tuesday night, by a final score of 3-0.

Denae McGrath put the Lady Cougars on the board in the 15th minute with her first of two goals on the night. She followed it up with a goal in the 30th minute to up the lead to 2-0. GCC took that lead into halftime.

Both teams played an even second half and a Corning CC own-goal was the only scoring of the period, giving GCC a 3-0 that they would hold on to.

Nicole Patterson played well in net, earning her second shut out of the season.

The Lady Cougars improve to 4-9-1 and will play at Jamestown Community College on Thursday afternoon at 2pm.

For the third time this season, forward Dominic Francis recorded a hat-trick for the second-ranked Genesee Community College men's soccer team. Sunday, it came against Tompkins-Cortland Community College in a game that the Cougars would end up winning by a final score of 4-1.

Francis put GCC on the board just three minutes into the first half with his first of three goals on the afternoon. He then gave GCC a 2-0 lead at the 27 minute mark with an unassisted, breakaway goal. Matheus Freire upped the lead to 3-0 with an unassisted goal of his own. The Panthers cut the Genesee lead down to two with their only goal of the contest at the 38 minute mark in the first half. Genesee led 3-1 at the break.

(#17 Dominic Francis celebrates his second of three goals against TC3 on Sunday afternoon)

In the second half, both teams played nearly 45 minutes of scoreless soccer before Francis capped off the scoring on the afternoon with a chip shot that beat the TC3 goalkeeper with 31 seconds remaining in the game.

The win improves Genesee's overall record to 11-1. The Cougars will return to action on Tuesday night when they host Corning Community College.

The Genesee Community College women's soccer team could not find a way past visiting Tompkins-Cortland Community College on Sunday afternoon, falling to the Lady Panthers 5-0.

Both teams played an even, scoreless, thirty-minutes to open the game before Erika Faberzak scored the lone goal of the first half, her first of three goals on the afternoon, to give TC3 a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Panthers struck again early in the second half and added three late goals to cruise to the 5-0 win.

(Genesee goalkeeper Nicole Patterson dives to make a save against TC3 on Sunday afternoon)

Genesee managed just two shots on goal. Nicole Patterson made twelve saves in net for Genesee.

The Lady Cougars (3-9-1) will return to action again on Tuesday night when they host Corning Community College.

The Genesee Community College baseball team captured the Western New York Athletic Conference Fall Baseball Championships Title with a 19-1 victory over Erie Community College on Saturday night.

It took the Cougars 13 innings in the semi-finals against Niagara County Community College to earn a victory to reach the finals for the second straight fall season.

Genesee gave up four runs in the top of the first inning to the Thunderwolves to dig themselves a 4-0 hole. The Cougars clawed back and scored twice in the fourth inning, once in the eight inning and then tied the game on an RBI double by Brandon Collins in the bottom of the ninght inning to take the game into extra innings. In the bottom of the 13th inning, still tied 4-4, Carlos Garcia scored the game winning run after Sean Sutton flied out to center field. Garcia tagged from second base to third base, and scored on a wild throw to send the Cougars to the WNYAC Championship game.

In the championship game, GCC jumped out early and never looked back. The Cougars scored three runs in the home-half of the first inning, a run in the third, two runs in the fourth, six runs in the fifth, four runs in the sixth and three runs in the eighth.

Sean Stanley threw six-plus innings for Genesee, allowing just one run on three hits while srtriking out three, en-route to earning the victory on the mound.

Collins went 2-5 in the championship game with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Sutton was 2-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in and Zach Ranta went 2-3 with three runs scored and one run batted in.

The Cougars finish a perfect 14-0 in WNYAC play during the fall season. They captured the WNYAC Fall Baseball Title for the second straight fall season.

Press release:

Giggles and snickers aren't usually welcomed during a speaking contest, but that's the goal of the Toastmasters District 65 Evaluation and Humorous Contest that will be hosted by the Multi-Cultural Communications Club at Genesee Community College on Friday, Oct. 5.

The event is geared toward fine-tuning speaking skills that are generally outside the comfort zone of club members and participants. Toastmasters is an international organization aimed at helping individuals gain the confidence needed to become great speakers and leaders, and ultimately, to find their "voice."

The club's mission is to provide a mutually safe, supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills that foster self-confidence and personal growth.

"We help members become confident, charismatic individuals and to gain practice to become the leaders, speakers and negotiators the global employment marketplace is looking for," said Jacqueline Di Bella, GCC adjunct professor at the college and club advisor.

The light-hearted competition gets under way at 5 p.m. in room T119 of the Conable Technology Building on the Batavia campus. Reservations are required, with ticket prices set at $7 per person for a light supper.

To reserve a seat, contact Jackie DiBella at jedibella@genesee.edu or at 585-278-8851.