Season 1, Episode 24- Natalie Dodd

In this week's episode of Immaculata Athletics' "Tuesday Talk" podcast, we discuss women's basketball's historic season concluding at the NCAA Tournament against SUNY New Paltz, the last few games for each of the spring teams, and preview the upcoming week.

Listen to our special guest, junior women's flag football captain and field hockey forward Natalie Dodd!

"Memories" interlude music written by Soundroll
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License code: 1DFK7PQ3EPFYKYOJ

Release date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

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Transcript

Introduction

Women's Basketball

SPEAKER_01 0:11

And welcome to episode 24 of the Tuesday Talk IU Athletics Podcast. Joined by Director of Athletic Communications Larry Dielman and student assistant Connor Kowkowski. This is Sports Information Director Andy Alvarez bringing you results and news from this past week's action and previewing the week ahead in Immaculate of Athletics. It's spring break for the Money Max, but athletic events continue. Last week, men's volleyball and men's lacrosse each earned splits at one-and-one. The women's lacrosse team played three times. Women's basketball concluded their season on Friday up at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, in an NCAA tournament. Baseball and softball and tennis got underway in their respective spring break trips. Baseball and softball are in Myrtle Beach. Tennis is in Hilton Head, South Carolina. And flag football had a dominant first weekend in their first AEC trimatch of the season with wins over Merrymount and Holy Family. So let's get started with looking back at the last week's uh results. Starting with women's basketball. Women's basketball fell in the first round in the NCAA tournament with a loss to number 21 SUNY Newpolts at John Carroll University. They lost uh 67 to 51. It was the final. Obviously, it was a much closer game than the two previous appearances in the NCAA tournament, and they actually cut the lead to like three points in the third quarter, but just were unable to kind of get any closer. Carly Coleman ended up having a strong game with 22 points, six rebounds, five steals. Riley Cassidy had 10 points, it was two for four from the downtown collected five rebounds. You also had, I think uh Serena Little had eight points, and Liv Etor had uh seven points. So it was a you know a good competitive match for Immaculata this year, unfortunately, and then they battle out in the first round, but it was a great way for Olivia Etor and Riley Cassidy to complete the run, having won a pair of uh Atlantic East Conference Championships with the two most successful seasons in the NCAA era of Immaculata women's basketball. Obviously, we always talk about the history of the great history of the Money Max was back in the AIAW Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. And in 1982, uh the NCA took over women's basketball, and McAlata joined the NCAA in 1982. So we're talking about that era from 1982 forward. These are the best two seasons in Immaculata basketball history. And postseason awards were announced last Wednesday by the Atlantic East Conference. Immaculata swept the postseason awards with Carly Coleman being named the Atlantic East Conference Player of the Year, and was also named the Atlantic East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, as well as being named to the All Atlantic East Conference first team. So an incredible sophomore season for Carly Coleman, you know, now with three major awards: Rookie of the Year, her freshman year, and then player of the year, and defensive player of the year in her sophomore season. And sure, there could be some more postseason awards coming her way. Abby Grillo for the second second year, Immaculata has the rookie of the year. And so Abby Grillo was named the Atlantic East Conference Rookie of the Year and was also named to the All Atlantic East Conference second team. So, you know, obviously you're gonna have uh Carly and and Abby Grillo together for a couple more years, so that's a good tandem for Immaculata to really be starting with. And then senior Olivia Etor closes out her uh collegiate basketball career with being named to the All-Atlantic East Conference second team. And then the Immaculata coaching staff for the second consecutive year earned coaching staff of the year award for the conference after, you know, incredible 16-0 conference run, counting both the regular season and the conference tournament. So that's a great run for Immaculata. Great way to close out an incredible season. You know, when you finish uh 24-4, 16-0 in the conference. What's your guys' thoughts? I mean, that was a pretty dominant season. It was a lot of fun to work that.

SPEAKER_03 3:38

Uh yeah, it was a lot of fun this season with women's basketball. Every game brought excitement and a lot of energy, especially when we did the home games. The two championships we've done here now in the two years were awesome. There's no other way to sum it. I mean, this year's tournament was just pure domination over Merrywood. And it was good to see them have a good battle too against CD Newports in the first round after they had a little difficulties the last two times they were in the tournament, but an incredible season for one's basketball overall.

SPEAKER_02 4:05

Yeah, just a great season overall, honestly. You really couldn't do a whole lot better than what they've done the last couple of years. 46-8 overall the last two seasons, 24-0 in conference. And like Andy said, with the conference awards, just stealing them all from the entire conference. Carly Coleman, player and defensive player, Abby, rookie of the year, Riley Cassidy had the elite scholar, and uh Carly also was on the first team with the ones Andy said too. But yeah, just great, great production overall. The team was dominant in conference play and even had some great battles in non-conference play. When you get to the NCAA tournament, I know these last two seasons they bowed out in the first round, but these are hard teams. I mean, this is like the best of the best from everywhere in the country in Division III. So to face SUNY Newpolts was the best team we've faced this year. Widener was receiving votes at the time when we played them, and SUNY Newpolts being number 21. So they were the best team we've seen, and it was a great battle, but just what a way to go out for Olivia and Riley, and uh hopefully we can bounce back next year. Carly and Abbey will be the cornerstones, and can't wait to see the schedule for next year.

SPEAKER_03 5:18

We are going to switch gears now to Flag Football, who opened a very exciting 2026 campaign this weekend with their domination in their season over with two conference wins over Marymount and Holy Family. They outscored their opponents by combined 50-6. For the first game against Marymount, 12-6 was the final. This was the first ever Marymount loss in Flag Football since it became a conference sport. Devin Cosgrove threw for two touchdowns and 148 yards. Jacqueline Molanini caught a 58-yard touchdown bomb from Cosgrove. Taylor Egan led with four receptions. Frankie Brunkel had team high nine solo tackles. Egan and Brooknell each picked off Marymount's quarterback, and Khalia Gaines got two sacks. That was a game that came down the wire a little bit, but the Money Max were able to hold on with that big Egan had that big block. Actually, it might have been an interception right there at the end for that at the goal line. I forget, but I'm pretty sure it was an interception. Talking about Holy Family, that was just pure domination. 38 to nothing was the final. Devin Kosker went six for nine, passed him for 62 yards, a touchdown hat trick. Every Immaculate receiver, Elion Satowski, Tara Laura, Jacqueline Molanini even each had a touchdown catch. Molanini had two interceptions with Khalia Gaines and Natalie Dodd each had one. Game was called early in the fourth quarter. Frankie Brucknell for her collegiate debut was named the AEC defensive player of the week. 14 solo tacos and a pick in two games, and Devin Konsker was named to the weekly honoral. So up next, they got a little bit of a break, and then they will be on a tri match at Sentenary with Penn State School on Tuesday, March 17th. Penn State Schuggle the verse first at 3.45, followed by Sentenary at 5.15. So a great start to the season for flag football, and that was fun to do on Saturday, especially that Merrymount game.

SPEAKER_01 7:04

Yeah, that was a real exciting day from those of us that have worked all you know flag football since we started with those championships a couple years ago. We've kind of been run off the field by Merrymount every time we have faced them. So I was so happy for our team and to see them just really, you know, take it to them in that battle. I mean, it was 6-0 going into the third quarter. We tied up at 6-6, goes into the fourth quarter. It's looking like we might have that un the word we never say in the press box, you know, the O-word that someone used in the press box. Thank God for that drive. And you know, Devin Coswell finds Eliana Zitkowski in the end zone to put the Mighty Max up on top, and then you know, to get that goal line defensive stand at the very end of that game to close that out was was huge and uh great win for our team. And then obviously just a roll from that into the next game after you take the break for the the middle game, you come back and you just get a fast start and never look back with Holy Family. So it's great to see, it's great to see all these, you know, the hard work that the coaching staff has done, like Dork Hoddton has done of getting players in here. And now you have players that have played in high school that are really making a difference already in their first games. I mean, Devin Cosgrove, your new quarterback, Taylor Egan, Molanini, Bronckel, and you know, Ningain. Then your experience, your experienced players, the Natalie Dodds, the Kalia Gaines, having big days too. So that's you know, you're you're getting a good mix. And I think we're gonna see good things as the season moves along, you know, for the flag football team.

SPEAKER_03 8:31

Yeah, we saw a lot of passion from that team, especially over that Merrimount win. I mean, Natalie Dodd, who's been here from the beginning, was literally in tears of joy. She went to beat them so bad, and for the last three years it's been a tough battle, but they finally got it done, and you could tell how happy she was.

Men's Lacrosse

SPEAKER_02 8:46

Yeah, it was an awesome first weekend for flag football, and especially that Holy Family game as we were starting upstairs, and I feel like it was just pick, and then a couple minutes later, pick again, and there was just no let up from Coach Coddington's team. And what made it difficult in that second game, the Holy Family game, was just the the weather. It was getting really like misty and foggy outside, and it was getting harder and harder to see some of these, like the players, and I think for the players too, probably it was a little difficult to see the end zone or make a make safe plays. Like, you know, obviously you don't want to injure anybody because you can't really see that well. And the game was called in the fourth quarter, but it was it was good that we got these two wins, two conference wins. All of our games this year are conference games, so every game is important, as as it always is, but definitely one that has that conference aspect to it's really important. So they get that week or so off before they head to Sentenary to start another tri match. All right, let's switch over to Men's lacrosse. Men's lacrosse got the split last week with Delaware Valley and Misericordia. Both games were on the road against Delvale. It was a 16-7 final in favor of the Mighty Max. Aaron Hedley and Jude Azzarano each netted three goals. Jason Smarin had three dimes. Carnell Lofton Jr. scooped up 10 ground balls and won 13 of 14 face-offs, and then nine caused turnovers defensively went to nine different Mighty Max. Really a team effort there. Matt Ludlow in goal made four saves in 30 minutes, and he did not allow a goal. It was 12 to nothing in the first half. Matt Ludlow only going the first half in goal, and then Coach Snotty pulling him for the backup crew, obviously with the game pretty much secured by them. Going up to Misericordia, that was on Sunday, and it went the Cougars' way 13-5. Five different Mighty Macs scored a goal. Carnell Lofton Jr. won the opening face-off. He picked up the ground ball and went right down and scored within the first 10 seconds, which you don't see a whole lot from your FOGO, but it's a cool play nonetheless. Carnell also scooped up eight ground balls and went 12 of 19 on face-offs. And then five different Mighty Macs got a uh cause turnover each. Jason Smaron, for his efforts, was named to the AEC Weekly Honor Roll. And up next, guys, an opponent that we have never seen before, and I don't think any of our teams have seen before, Aurora, who is from Illinois. They are coming here tomorrow, March 11th, for a three o'clock start. A team that Coach Snotty was kind of excited to see on the schedule and uh hopefully we can get that win.

SPEAKER_01 11:40

Yeah, that was a solid week to start with. You know, they really dominated that uh Delaware Valley game right from the start. And then, you know, obviously Delaware Valley kind of corrupt their way back in after the starters were out of the game, but it was you know a good win for them. That was their at the time, their fourth win in a row. Unfortunately, you know, miseracordia is that's a tough trip. That's a two and a half hour trip on a Sunday with uh getting a spring break and just a just a difficult game to to play sometimes. And this then they just never really seem to get their footing in the game and everything. So hopefully they bounce back. Obviously, it's exciting to play a new opponent. We're excited to have them here at our stadium, see somebody different that we don't always see. Should be a good matchup and uh looking forward to it on Wednesday.

SPEAKER_03 12:18

Pure domination in the Delaware Valley game, so that was good to see. And you're also seeing a good mixture of athletes from all different classes starting to work together, especially the new guys, so that's good to see. I mean, yeah, but like you said, the Miss Accordia game, they're always a tough opponent that you go up against, especially on a Sunday we had to go up to. But it was good to see Carnell, who usually just takes the face-offs for us, score that goal on the opening face-off. That was fun to see. Aurora should be a good game. That's a school we've never I never even heard of until I saw the schedule. I had to look it up where the heck that was, but looking forward to Wednesday nights.

SPEAKER_01 12:50

Shifting over to uh baseball, the baseball team opened their Myrtle Beach slate on Saturday against Wittenberg, and they'll continue to trip through this coming Saturday. Um they fell to Wittenberg 5-1 in their opener. Alex Page pitch seven innings, struck out four batters. Josh Goulburn was three for four with three singles and an RBI. Joey Mazone was one for three with a single, a run, and hit by a pitch. In their second game, they fell to Penn College of Technology. 10-2 was supposed to be a doubleheader, but Rain forced them to play just one game. Ryan Nase and uh Jacob Cuz each scored a run for the Money Max. Nase, Matt Pasarini, and Logan Bart each had two hits. Stephen Nabaney went four innings on the mound, struck out two batters. You got two relief stretches from Ryan Barrow and Aiden Jackson. Four runs sixth by the uh by Penn College kind of decided that game. On Monday evening, uh they fell to Bridgewater State 8-7. Uh Matt Passerini and Luke Hardnock each had uh each scored two runs. Hardknock, Danny Nasito, and Ryan Nase each had two hits. Nace knocked in three runs, so they had three RBIs. DeSarno went three in the third on the hill as the start struck out two batters. Bridgewater State got six runs in the fourth inning. Immaculata countered with three runs in the sixth, but Bridgewater State scored in the bottom of the ninth on a solo home run to walk it off for the win. They were off on Tuesday, uh, the baseball team, but they'll be back in uh action late on Wednesday when they play Worcester Polytechnic Institute, WPI, Westminster PA, and a kind of a doubleheader on Wednesday with two different opponents at 12 and 330, and then they'll continue on down there in Myrtle Beach until Saturday.

SPEAKER_02 14:25

Some tough opponents overall. I mean, these are teams kind of like what we said with Aurora for men's legs for baseball and what we'll say for softball too. These aren't teams you see that often with these tournaments in Myrtle Beach, or sometimes baseball goes to the Rust Mat tournament down in Florida. And yeah, these are just teams, they're from everywhere. Some of these schools, like Connor said, you might you might not have heard of them before. Andy and I have just because of our experience in the field, but an array of schools from around the area are not. And I mean, some of these have been closer games. Wittenberg was a close one, and the Bridgewater State, they were one out away from forcing a tenth inning, but you know, that home run just didn't go their way. And, you know, you live to see another day, so they'll get WPI in Westminster on Wednesday for that combined doubleheader, and hopefully we can pick up a couple wins before they head back to our neck of the woods. And I know we're all looking forward to the baseball home opener, which we unfortunately had two cancellations last week. We are gonna have that one against Swathmore and Rhode Island College, and both of them got rained out with the snow and the rain. So hopefully that Kane game next Tuesday will be the official home opener.

Men's Volleyball

SPEAKER_03 15:41

Yeah, we need baseball back here at the baseball stadium. We got some warmer temperatures here now. Temperatures have been like almost near 80, so hopefully that's drying out the fields so that we can play some baseball. But another thing to think about, like they barely had any field time, so they're basically going after what they can get after. And yeah, they're going after some tough opponents right now. But you know, they're hanging in there. I mean, the Bridgewire state game could have easily gone either way. You just weird things happen to baseball sometimes. Like, can't always control what a batter does, especially if it's a total home run. So, but they still got a whole week of a lot of games playing a lot of ground to make up.

SPEAKER_02 16:13

Let's go over to men's volleyball. Men's volleyball got the 1-1 split last week by defeating Galleudette and falling to John Jay, and they started off this week on Monday with a win over St. Elizabeth. Gallaudet came here on Tuesday, that was March 3rd. It was a five-set, three to two final for the Mighty Max. Josh McGurl led with 21 kills. Luke Dortenzo had a career high, 37 assists, and he added three aces. Noah Zunski had the double double of 15 kills and 13 digs. Yes, there are double doubles in volleyball, not just basketball. Gallaudet was up 2-1 in the match, but Immaculata stormed back in the fourth and the fifth by outscoring them 40 to 23. A great showing by Josh Elliott's squad. On Saturday, they had John Jay come here. They are a team from New York, and it's a team they had never seen before. The Bloodhounds got the 3-0 sweep. Noah Zunsky had seven kills, Luke Dortenzo 17 dimes, and he and Anthony Fitch had two aces apiece. Christian Lee had two solo blocks. And then they got back in the win column this Monday, the 9th, against St. Elizabeth, and that was a sweep for the Mighty Max. It got progressively better over the course of the match. The Eagles got pretty close in that first set, but by the third set, the Mighty Max won 25-8. It was just apparent that we were looking like the better team that night. Noah Zunski had eight kills. Luke Dortenzo with another 28 assists. JP Farrelly had seven digs at the Libero position. And they actually had a 13-1 run in that third set, which really kind of set the tone for the rest of that match. Early on, the Mighty Max guys are 2-0 in United East conference play in their brand new conference that they joined this year. And their tie with Lancaster Bible in the early conference seating. Both teams are still 2-0. And they'll look to extend that win streak on Saturday. They'll head up to Pratt. That's Saturday, March 14th at 1 o'clock for first serve. They've had some good results. That John Jay match was tough, but you know, some good results overall. And we'll see what we can do against Pratt.

SPEAKER_01 18:30

Definitely a good start in conference play for the uh for the volleyball team. And John Jay is a tough opponent. We haven't seen their men's team before. We've seen their women's team here a couple years ago. So you know they're they're competitive in volleyball. But obviously you're taking care of business in the conference and the matches that you should do well in. And uh you're gonna have some tough matches coming up. So we're looking forward to seeing how they uh how they handle it and hopefully stay where they're at in the conference and uh try to compete for a playoff spot and get a chance at uh playing in the playoffs in their first year in the United East conference.

Women's Lacrosse

SPEAKER_03 18:59

Yeah, a good start for the volleyball team in conference play, wins over Gay Det and St. Elizabeth. The St. Elizabeth game we did last night, it was weird. They got progressively better as they went on. The first one was like a little tight all the way, and then by the third set, it was just pure domination by us. I think at one point we were up 11 to nothing or 11-1, I want to say. Something like that. But yeah, it's good to see that they're having success. And you got a freshman like Luke Dortenzo and Anthony Finch, who are can really help serve up some aces. Let's switch gears now to Woman's lacrosse, who had a tough week. Um, they went 0-2 with two tough teams, a trip to Winer, and then they had a home game versus Arcadia, which was their Morgan's message game. Against Wynor, 18-5 was the final. Elizabeth Mahmoud led with four goals, and while Aleia Piperito lobbed one. Interesting from the Winer game, it was actually 8-5 at on the halftime score. The score might be a little decisive if you're just looking at based off of overall. Mahmoud and Oberg each collected two ground balls, and Mahmoud had two cross turnovers. Morgan Barnes won four draw controls, and Abigail Ganary made 15 saves in 49 minutes in goal. An 8-0 widener run the third pretty much sealed the game. Versus Arcadia, 18-3 was the final. Aleia Piperado, Izzy Thomas, and Alexa Marzek all scored a goal. Thomas and Vera Chaplin Pez each assisted on the goal. A team high five ground balls went to Elizabeth Mahmoud and Abigail Ganary. Mahmoud and Riley Mullen each had three turnovers defensively. Mahmoud won nine draw controls, and Ganary made 11 saves. Arcadia began the game with a 7-0 in the first quarter, so it was definitely a tough team to go up against. And up next, they have three games this week. They'll have the sales on Tuesday night at 5.30, followed by a home game. So they're on a back-to-back this week with a home game on Wednesday against Elizabeth Town. And then I believe they're here Saturday at 1 o'clock against Goucher. They're continuing to verse these tough teams, but hopefully it helps them when they get the conference play. And now with basketball season, and then I think they're gonna have Kira Benoit and Julia Paul have this week off, but they'll be starting to train with them next week. So hopefully they'll be ready to go sometime next week for their games that they have.

SPEAKER_02 21:08

Yeah, I mean, tough week for Women's Lacrosse, and you and I were at Widener. We got to see Women's Lacks in action. I know Connor went down to see his sister play, and I was down there to get some pictures of the team and to see some of my old comrades over in Chester. So it was a good night overall. Tough one in the second half, but you know, they competed in the first half, and and Widener has always been a tough team. Elizabeth Mahmood showing that she's a true Division I transfer, you know, that she's played against some of these tougher teams in collegiate women's lacrosse. But we're a young team. I think they're still kind of getting their feet wet. I think Kira Benoit and Julia Pohl will definitely be positive reinforcements once they join the team. Obviously, they need a little bit of a breather from basketball season going all the way to the NCAA tournament. And, you know, hopefully we can bounce back this week. Tough one with a back to back. But hopefully we can get a win, especially at home.

Softball

SPEAKER_01 22:02

Yeah, it was a tough week. And then Saturday, Arcadia was face guarding and really double, almost sometimes even triple teaming, Elizabeth Mahmood. At one point she fired like a rocket of a shot. Unfortunately, it caught the bars of opposed to going in the net. But there were there were some good signs you saw in that widener game. And you know, you get some games that can be a little more competitive. And this week's gonna be a little difficult games, but moving forward, I think they're gonna get closer to conference play. I think these games will serve them well. Moving along to softball, the softball team has gotten started to play in uh in Myrtle Beach these past couple days. And so far they've actually they just fell in their game to uh Penn State Mon Alto, so they're currently two-and-two on the trip in uh Myrtle Beach. Their first game, they fortunately fell to Keystone 10-1, five innings. Uh lone run came from uh Madison fromica, was able to score her on a wild pitch going to third, throw catcher, threw it away, she was able to come home and score. Macculata did get some walks in that game. You know, Pearson uh took the loss as the starter and then inning in two-thirds on the mount, uh tough second inning. But then Nadia Boya came on to uh kind of settle things out, and then their second game of the back-to-back doubleheader, McElata earned a two-one win. Uh Emily Davis and Madison from Mike each uh scored a run. Game was decided uh by Jamie Green with a two-run RBI double in the third inning. She had two hits, and Nadia Boya uh went the full seven uh complete game on the mound, allowing only six hits, one run, and the only was an earned run, but that was it in the game. She really held them. I think she recorded like ten ground ball outs in that game. So it was a uh good solid win. This morning, uh they won three to two in eight innings, so they won extra innings uh Bridgewater State. Madison for Micah, Jamie uh Green, Natalie D'Norfrio each had a run. D'Onorfrio and uh Carly Carcher uh each logged two hits apiece, and Sarah Pearson won uh six innings and pitch strong, and then they got two innings of solid relief, or a couple of innings of solid relief from Aubrey Sider, who ended up getting the win. They won the game on a they had runners at second, third, nobody out. Alexis Andrada struck out, but the ball got away from the catcher, pass ball, and uh that that allowed uh D'Anofrio to come home and score with the game-winning run to walk it off for the Mighty Max. And then not sure to score, but uh from watching kind of the live stream, it looks like they fell to uh Penn State Mon Alto in their second game. So two and two. Uh they'll get a day off tomorrow, and then they'll be back at it with two games on Thursday, and then I think uh they have two on Friday as well, I believe. And then that will be the rest of their week in South Carolina before they come back north. A good start overall.

SPEAKER_03 24:30

I mean, they had a tough first game against Keystone, but the New Jersey City game was great to see in Jamie Green, who had two RBIs, her and her roommate Casey Pasco, I think her name is, have a lot of personality already bring a lot of personality into the team that already has. So, like, they're definitely enthusiastics, and that's what you need in a team like this. And good to see Alexa Peterson get her first win. And yeah, they had a good first game this morning, and I don't know what the score is of the game they're playing right now, but hopefully it's going well, and it's good to see everyone contributing.

Men's and Women's Tennis

SPEAKER_02 24:58

It's good to see head coach Alexa Peterson getting her first collegiate win here at Immaculata as well, getting that over NJCU, and then Bridgewater State going the extra inning to get that win. So just a tough win from the Mighty Mac showing that grit early on. And we're seeing Jamie Green, one of the freshmen, really stepping up so far. So maybe it's a sign of things to come as we finish the Myrtle Beach portion, and then when they come back home to continue their season there. And yes, as Andy said, they are off on Wednesday and then Thursday, they'll pick right back up where they left off against Albion and Vermont State Castleton, and then they'll finish off with like homing and Thiel on Friday. Stay tuned with GoMightyMax.com for all the updates and as we get these box scores figured out and recaps and whatnot. All right, finally, let's go to tennis. Men's and women's tennis are also with baseball and softball in South Carolina, except they are in Hilton Head. Men's and women's tennis each go in three matches. The men played Brevard and Franciscan, and the women Ohio Wesley and Franciscan. And then today, Tuesday, both teams are playing Penn State, Baron, TBD on those results. 5-0 for Brevard against our men's team. Mike DeMatte and Easton Ragno fell 6-3 in doubles. Ryan Muckle fell 6-3-6-2 in number four singles against Franciscan. 6-1 final, tough doubles loss, 6-4 for Mike D.M.Thee and Easton Ragno. And Easton picked up a solid number one singles win. For the women, Ohio Wesleyan, it was a 7-0 win for the Battling Bishops. Haley Elwell and Delaney Brown fell 6-2 in doubles. Sophia Carey went 6-4-6-1 in number three singles. And then Franciscan, 6-1 final. Athena Critickson and Laura Farrow grab a doubles win 7-5. And Sophia Carey really went the distance in a hard-fought singles loss, 6-3-2-6-10-8. Delaney Brown 6-3-6-4. So, guys, tennis doing pretty good. Again, some of these teams we haven't really seen before, or not at least not often, but trying to get some reps before they start against Marymount on the 21st.

Natalie Dodd Interview

SPEAKER_01 27:15

You're going to face good teams on these trips and teams from down south or other places that play pretty serious levels of tennis in good schools. So not a bad start for them and looking forward to having them back on campus. I think now would be a good time to bring in our guest on the Tuesday Talk IU Athletics Podcast. So we'll be back with Lag Football Captain and Field Hockey Forward Natalie Dodd when we return after this quick break on the Tuesday Talk IU Athletics Podcast. Welcome back to the Tuesday Talk IU Athletics Podcast. We are joined by our guest, uh Flag Football Team Captain and Women's Field Hockey Forward, Natalie Dodd. Welcome to the show, Natalie, and welcome back.

SPEAKER_00 27:55

Thank you, thank you. Happy to be here.

SPEAKER_01 27:57

How did you get into playing flag football back in high school?

SPEAKER_00 28:01

So it got added to my school my junior year. I actually used to play lacrosse instead, but once it was added, I just took the chance to go out and try it with some of my other teammates. I always had like a passion for the game. Like growing up at recess, I would always play like two hand touch football. And then once I started going to the practices, I realized I loved it and that's what I wanted to keep doing.

SPEAKER_03 28:21

So now, what was it like to play with girls here that you played with our twist Brian too? Eliana, Frankie. I talked to Frankie about it in my interview with her at the Holy Family one. So what's it like for you?

SPEAKER_00 28:32

It's definitely really great and it really brings a great connection. So like me and Eliana, we played basketball together for a year. And like, so we already had like a little bit of team chemistry. And then playing with Frankie, I've been playing flex football with her for four years now. So we do have like a really strong connection. We've been playing both sides of the ball together for a couple of years. So her coming here, like we already kind of knew what each other's good at and being put next to each other on the field on like the defensive side, it really helps everything run like super smoothly and efficiently.

SPEAKER_02 28:58

What was it like for you when you led the charge in starting flag football when it got added here at Immaculata in your freshman year? Obviously, coming in freshman year and the sport already being added, that must have been a great feeling for you.

SPEAKER_00 29:11

Yeah, once I saw it was added, I was super excited because I knew it was something I totally wanted to do. Being able to kind of take charge with it was a really nice feeling. I from having like a lot of experience, I knew that I could really help form it into something bigger than it was and help recruit a lot of different players, and that's exactly what we did. And we just made it like a really big deal out of it, and it was just really great. And to see where it is now from then, it's just a great feeling.

SPEAKER_03 29:34

So after um Marymount, you were literally in tears of joy. I went down the sideline. I said, Why are you crying? Because I think that's the first time I've seen you cry in maybe the three years I've known you. What was it like to beat Marymount? I could tell it meant a lot to you and to like get that big win over them.

SPEAKER_00 29:49

Yeah, it really meant so much to me after three years going back and forth with Marymount and finally being able to take the win over them. It was just such like a feeling like I don't know how to like describe. And going into the game, of course, it was like super like, I hope we win, but like I know they're a good team, and then being able to be that team on top was great. And it was such like a competitive game and got really aggressive out there. So all that frustration kind of at the end, being able to let up and having a big stop at the end of the game that sealed the deal was just it was just such an unreal feeling that I'm gonna bring something up about that what happened over in the summer.

SPEAKER_03 30:21

Remember at your um Wildwood tournament and you lost that first game to that team. What was that team called? I don't remember. Well, you came up to me after that game and you said and I said it's just for fun, don't worry about it. And you're like, no, I want to win. So, like your mindset's always in the winning format, no matter what, right?

SPEAKER_00 30:36

Yeah, no, no matter what the end of the day, I want to win, and I don't want to, you know, I don't let down no matter what the scores until that game, that buzzer officially goes off and the game's over and we actually officially win.

SPEAKER_01 30:46

Saturday was a great day here on opening day. You know, the two game sweep on Saturday, including, you know, dominant performance over Holy Family. You were on the defensive side of things for most of the time and even had a big interception. What do you think the most exciting thing or the biggest part of the day was the biggest part of the day on Saturday?

SPEAKER_00 31:03

I mean, biggest part of the day by far probably had to be beating Merrimouth himself, but with like the Holy Family game, it was really great. And that's coming from like my hometown and back in Northeast Philly. So playing against some old teammates, seeing old teammates on the sideline just really brought like a great vibe going on. And then being put back on defense, my original position that it felt really good to be back on like the side of the ball I know the best, and then getting that interception just felt great, being able to look and see like my old coaches in the stands. And it was funny, right before that play, Coach Bill was like, I want you to go out there, I want you to get an interception. I was like, Okay, like I'll do it. And that's exactly what I went out and did. So it was just a really good feeling.

SPEAKER_02 31:39

You were named a team captain this year. I believe you're one of four captains total. How does it feel to step into that leadership role like this with a team that's showing a lot of talent early on?

SPEAKER_00 31:49

Uh, it definitely feels really great to be named a team captain this year. The last couple years definitely was like building into like a leadership role on the team and working with like the three other captains I'm with. We all work really well together, bring the team up in a lot of different ways. We all have our own like specific traits that we really bring to the team, and being able to be a captain of a team with so much promise and so much talent is a great feeling because I can see just from the offseason and seeing how much everyone has grown into the team and as personal players, it's just like a nice feeling. And to know that I'm a part of building that up just feels really good.

SPEAKER_03 32:21

So give us a day in the life of Natalie Dodd on game day. What is your pregame routine before games favorite song meal? I think I already have an idea of what your favorite song is, but give us to us.

SPEAKER_00 32:32

Yeah, so my pregame consists mostly of music. A lot of times on game days, get a little nervous, can't really eat that much. So I usually try to drink like a liquid IV. Really like the rocket pop ones, probably my favorite, so I go with that. And then my songs kind of consist of I know Connor that you know the hey baby, the remix version of it. Also big one, my touchdown song, everything is awesome, and I like that one because about being a part of a team, and then a couple other ones are thrown there that I've had since high school, some Kanye, and just the way you are has been my new one. So the music just really kind of sets my tone for everything, and that's like a big I have to have that every day before each game.

SPEAKER_03 33:06

Just about the site, just the way you are has been like all over your Instagram page. So that's like your new theme song.

SPEAKER_00 33:11

Yeah, it's my uh my song for the season at least. Nice.

SPEAKER_02 33:15

Forget just regular theme song. Hey baby's like everybody's theme song for athletics. Basketball ran through it this entire season with every win they got, but wait, hold on.

SPEAKER_03 33:24

I'm gonna give some insight on that. So she's the one who actually told me to play after field hockey songs, so I kept that going throughout the whole season. It's like a good vibe song. So every time you're welcome wins, so she gets all the credit there because she's the one who told me to do it. So kudos to Nalie Dodd. Touche.

SPEAKER_02 33:41

So finally, flag football is on the rise across the country in division three. It's even going to be a summer 2028 Olympic sport when the Olympics are played in Los Angeles. What is your message to get girls involved in this sport? It seems to be something you know you've been good at getting people to do this since you started at Immaculata.

SPEAKER_00 34:00

Yeah, seeing it being on such like a big rise, like super exciting. And we have so many recruits coming in next year, and like I can't wait to meet them all and see what like what they all bring. And I definitely have like a lot of different messages. Recently, I've been asked to help with like clinics over at a park nearby school in Phoenixville, and I just kind of like the same vibe I try to bring there. And I kind of just like to remind them that flight football, everyone's starting new, it's such a new sport, and to just have confidence in yourself and go out there and just try your best. And even though it's gonna be hard at first, don't let that stop you, don't let that make you give up, just keep going, and then something like you know, for me, my end result's been pretty good so far, so like they can have a promising future, something just like this themselves.

SPEAKER_01 34:40

Well, you guys will be back on action uh on the 17th when you guys will play at Penn State Schookal in Sentenary up at Sentenary and that'll try match, and then you'll be back home on the 21st for uh Chestnut Hill and and Newman. Looking forward to having you guys back here at the stadium and hopefully, you know, being that a non-spring break related weekend, maybe we could get a pretty big crowd out there for you guys for that uh for that tri match. And we thank you for coming in today and talking with us, Natalie. It's always great to talk with you. We wish you the team good luck in this upcoming games.

SPEAKER_00 35:07

Thank you, thank you. Very happy to be back and can't wait for the rest of the season, Romax.

Conclusion

SPEAKER_01 35:12

We'll be back after this quick break on the Tuesday Talk IU Athletics Podcast. Thank you uh for coming back here to Tuesday Talk IU Athletics Podcast for another show that will wrap it up for episode 24. We hope you will join us next week as we reach episode 25, another milestone for the Tuesday Talk IU Athletics Podcast. And we hope you'll be here to join us, and we'll talk to you then. Rollbacks.