New Jersey City University Athletics

BROOKLYN, NY (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | In the history of the New Jersey City University women's bowling team, rarely have the Gothic Knights lost four out of five matches in any given stretch. But in a sport with the inability to play defense, the 10^th ranked Knights fell victim to four opponents that tossed scores of better than 1000, including a pair of astronomical scores, on the opening day of the Terriers New Year Knockdown hosted by St. Francis College (NY).
 
In its first action in 47 days since winning the Red Flash Invitational on December 5, NJCU entered with a record of 24-8. But the Knights, ranked #10 nationally in Division I, II and III by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA), had a rare off-day, going 1-4,with losses to #12 ranked Delaware State University (1076-985, Long Island University (1010-936), defending national champion and #4 ranked University of Maryland Eastern Shore (1005-950) and #2 Fairleigh Dickinson University (1081-925).
 
NJCU's lone win was a 17-pin, 862-845 decision over unranked Hampton University. NJCU fell to 25-12 on the season and sits in sixth place of eight teams in the field. All five matches were five-person traditional team games.
 
FDU leads the tournament with a 5-0 record and pinfall of 5,138—32 better than second place UMES (5,106, 4-1). LIU is third (4,940, 3-2), followed by #14 Saint Francis University (Pa.) (4,900, 3-2) and Delaware State (4,845, 1-4). NJCU has pinfall of 4,658.
 
The 1-4 record spoiled a brilliant performance by sophomore NICOLE BAGINSKY (South River, NJ/Cardinal McCarrick), who was the most consistent bowler with 1,001 total wood (200.20) and three 200+ games (191-180-200-209-221). Junior KELLY DAUNNO (Carteret, NJ/Carteret) rolled a 194.20 average and 971 total wood (269-178-179-203-142).
 
Also for NJCU, sophomore ASHLEY LANE (Brick, NJ/Brick Township) averaged 195.50 by tossing a 193 and 198 in the final two matches of the day. Junior KAITLYN SCHROEDER (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) averaged an 184.33 in three games (189-209-156, 553).
 
Only two opponents had rolled a 1,000 team game in traditional play this season before NJCU ran into the uncommon occurrence on Saturday. In the opening match against DSU, KELLY DAUNNO fired a team day high of 269 and the 985 was NJCU's best score of the day but it wasn't enough as the Hornets prevailed by 91 pins, 1,076-985. The teams have split their two meetings this year.
 
Schroeder prevented a potential 0-5 day when she fired a 208 as NJCU held off Hampton, 862-845. But in the next match, Long Island, which had been 0-12 all-time against NJCU, made the 13^th time a charm. Despite a 243 by senior JENNIFER DAUNNO (Carteret, NJ/Carteret)—a 100-pin improvement from an uncharacteristically low 143 against Hampton—and a 200 by Baginsky, the Blackbirds earned the 74-poin, 1,010-936 win.
 
In the fourth match, NJCU hung tough against the defending champion Hawks as Baginsky tossed a 209 and KELLY DAUNNO added a 203 with Lane rolling a 193 and senior AMY BREHM (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick), who spent the first half of January on NJCU's Study Abroad trip to India, adding a 191. It wasn't enough as UMES held on for a 1,005-950 decision.
 
In the final match, FDU posted one of the most lopsided wins ever against NJCU, prevailing by 156 pins, 1,081-925. Baginsky tallied a 221 in defeat, with Brehm providing a 201 and Lane collected a 198.
 
NJCU will seek to bounce back on day two of the event, beginning at 11 a.m.