Throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, Stevens has experienced numerous athletic milestones that make this year one for the books. This period has been marked by exceptional athletic achievements, highlighting the determination, skill, and teamwork of our student-athletes.The number of notable achievements across all men’s and women’s sports has showcased both individual and team excellence. Below are just a few of the many accomplishments achieved by our athletics programs this past year.
On December 1, 2022, the No. 4 Stevens men’s soccer team lost to No. 2 University of Chicago 1-0 in overtime during the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship semifinals. Ryan Yetishefsky of the University of Chicago scored the match’s sole goal in the 107th minute. The loss concluded Stevens’ remarkable 2022 season at 17-1-5, ending their 30-match unbeaten streak, which had begun on October 23 of the previous season. The game was a hard-fought battle, with almost 80% of the possession time taking place in the midfield. Despite the loss, Stevens’ 2022 campaign was one of the most successful in the program’s history, with their second national semifinal appearance and a host of individual and team accolades.
On February 12, 2023, Men’s Swimming clinched their fourth consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) championship, led by sophomore Edward Platonov. Platonov, who captured the title of MAC Men’s Swimmer of the Year, helped the team accumulate a record-breaking 1,572 points and secure their 11th straight league title. Notably, the Ducks claimed 19 medals and accounted for 35% of all the medals won by the 14 participating schools. First- year Angel Velasquez, another standout performer, was named the league’s Rookie of the Year, marking the second straight year the distinction has gone to a Stevens swimmer.
From April 22-23, 2023, Men’s Golf claimed an impressive victory at the MAC Freedom Championship tournament, securing their third consecutive title. Junior Gus Vickers, named Golfer of the Year for the second straight year, played a pivotal role in this achievement, outperforming competitors with three birdies, an eagle, and an even score on the final day. His performance contributed to Stevens’ total score of 607, earning them first place out of nine teams. The team’s victory was comprehensive, with a 35-stroke lead over their closest competitor. First-year Austin Liao was named Rookie of the Year and Charles Papendick was named Coach of the Year, marking the second time in three years that Stevens has swept the league’s three individual awards.
On April 29, 2023, No. 1 Women’s Tennis emerged victorious against No. 2 Misericordia in the MAC Freedom Championship on Saturday, clinching a 5-1 win. Graduate student Agatha Malinowski, who was named the tournament MVP, helped the Ducks secure their second straight MAC Freedom championship. The team set the pace by winning all three doubles matches, and although Misericordia led in the remaining four singles matches with the Ducks up 4-1, the Stevens team managed to pull out the victory.
On April 30, 2023, the No. 2 Stevens men’s volleyball team won the Division III National Championship for the second time in school history, defeating No. 5 North Central College. The final score was 3-1 (25-15, 26-24, 15-25, 25-22), with the Ducks’ victory led by sophomore Koby Sherman’s 16 kills and senior Connor Feulner’s nine kills and five blocks. The win took Stevens’ record to an impressive 35 victories against just three defeats, setting a new school record. In addition to the team’s success, senior Percy Bickford, Sherman, and Feulner were named to the NCAA’s All-Tournament Team, and senior Louden Moran won the Most Outstanding Player award.
On May 6, 2023, Women’s Lacrosse clinched their second consecutive MAC Freedom Championship with a 10-5 victory over the No. 2 Misericordia at the DeBaun Athletic Complex. Fifth-years Camryn Rogers and Morgan Westerby led the Ducks with three goals each, contributing to the team’s impressive 17-2 regular season record. The game was hard-fought, with neither team scoring in the first 12 minutes. However, the Ducks gradually gained separation, leading 6-2 at halftime and maintaining their lead throughout the match.
The 2022-2023 academic year will be remembered for the remarkable performances and achievements of Stevens’ student-athletes. Their accomplishments are a testament to their perseverance, skill, and the spirit of teamwork that has come to define Stevens athletics.
