North Coast Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week | September 3, 2025
Men’s Cross Country – Joshua Breard, Kenyon
Kenyon senior Joshua Breard (Cranston, RI/Bishop Hendricken) kicked off his final season in dominant fashion at the Port Kenyon Opener on Friday. Breard topped a field of 58 runners, traversing the 6,000-meter course in 19:14.50 to claim first place and help the Owls secure first as a team.
Women’s Cross Country – Anna Brown, Kenyon
After missing the 2024 season, Kenyon senior Anna Brown (South Dartmouth, MA/Concord Academy) made an impressive return to competition by finishing first out of 57 runners at the Port Kenyon Opener on Friday. Brown completed the 4,000-meter race in a time of 14:04.60, helping the Owls place fourth as a team in the season-opening meet.
Field Hockey – Caroline Smith, Allegheny
Allegheny sophomore Caroline Smith (Colorado Springs, CO/Liberty) had a standout start to the season, totaling six points across the Gators first two games. The sophomore scored the game-opening goal in the first quarter of a tough 2-1 overtime loss to SUNY Brockport and then tied her single-game career high with four points off one goal and two assists in a 5-0 win over Juniata. Smith assisted on the first two goals of the game before adding her own in the 33rd minute, helping Allegheny record its most goals in a game since a 6-2 win over Earlham in 2022.
Men’s Golf – Justy VonLehmden, John Carroll
John Carroll junior Justy VonLehmden (Findlay, OH/Saint John’s Jesuit) led the Blue Streaks to a strong start at the Ted Barclay Invitational, posting rounds of 69-73 for an even-par 142 to claim first place out of 67 golfers. VonLehmden notched five birdies over the two rounds and was one of three Blue Streaks to finish in the top 10, helping JCU capture the team title at the par-71 6,559-yard Denison Golf Club.
Women’s Golf – Julia Gulla, John Carroll
John Carroll first-year Julia Gulla (Sagamore Hills, OH/Nordonia) opened her collegiate career in record-breaking fashion, setting the program record for a single round with a 74 at the ONU Kick Off Classic, which was played at the par-72, 5,873-yard Colonial Golf Club. Her performance helped the Blue Streaks capture the team title with a 331. Gulla then shot an 81 (+9) to tie for fifth out of 47 golfers at the Joe Campoli Memorial, which helped JCU record the program’s lowest round of 329 since at least 2007.
Men’s Soccer – Alex Provost, Denison
Denison first-year goalkeeper Alex Provost (Glen Ridge, NJ/Montclair Kimberley Academy) delivered a standout opening weekend in goal for the No. 6 Big Red, helping the team secure back-to-back 1-0 wins against No. 21 Stevens and Stockton. Facing 15 total shots across the two matches, the rookie recorded six saves to earn the first two shutouts of his collegiate career. Notably, Provost made a crucial penalty kick stop against Stockton in the closing moments to preserve the win.
Women’s Soccer – Josie Bencic, Wooster
Wooster sophomore forward Josie Bencic (West Chester, OH/Lakota East) made an immediate impact in her debut for the Fighting Scots, contributing to all three goals in a 3-0 win over Alma on Saturday. The sophomore scored the game-winner just 3:56 into the match, assisted on the second goal, and capped the performance with her second goal in the 77th minute.
Volleyball – Emily Monachino, Denison
Denison first-year right-side hitter Emily Monachino (Cleveland, OH/Hawken) opened her collegiate career with an impressive showing at the Mount Union Invitational, helping the Big Red to wins over Alfred (3-0), Mount Union (3-0), and Clarkson (3-2). Monachino posted weekend highs of 20 points, 19 kills, and two blocks against Clarkson, and a .478 hitting percentage versus Mount Union. In her weekend debut, the rookie averaged 4.06 points, 3.89 kills, and a .387 hitting percentage across 11 sets and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
NCAC Milestones & Records (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1)
DePauw, Women’s Golf – Senior Becky Williams (Noblesville, IN/University High School of Indiana) won the Lynn Schweizer Invitational for her 10th career tournament victory in just her third season at DePauw, tying the program record previously held by Paige Gooch (2010-14). She finished the tournament with a three-under 142 (69-73), leading the 63-player field with nine birdies and one of five players to record an eagle, helping DePauw to a third-place team finish.
DePauw, Volleyball – Sophomore outside hitter Madeline Ozersky (St. Louis, MO/Marquette) was named to the Mount Union Invitational All-Tournament Team after posting 29 kills, 11 digs, and three blocks across 11 sets.
Wooster, Volleyball – The Fighting Scots served up a program-record 21 aces in Friday’s 3-1 win over Worcester State, surpassing the previous single-match mark of 20 set against the University of Akron Wayne College in 2015.