Five-Star Matchups

Lancaster is the place to be on Wednesday as five of our nine featured games take place on the Franklin & Marshall campus. The women's lacrosse game between the Diplomats and Gettysburg will determine the top seed for next week's championship tournament, while the other eight games have playoff implications.

Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Lacrosse)
The Conference's best rivalry takes center stage on Wednesday night as the sixth-ranked Bullets (7-0 CC, 12-2) and seventh-ranked Diplomats (7-0, 13-2) meet with first place on the line. This is the 49th meeting between the two schools with F&M holding a 25-22-1 advantage, including wins in eight of the last nine contests. Gettysburg's last win in Lancaster was in the 2005 Centennial title game (11-9). This will be the 13th consecutive game in the series in which both the Bullets and Diplomats are ranked in the national top 10. The top two goalkeepers in the CC will play a major role tonight as Gettysburg's Maddie Coleman has a 58.6 save percentage, while F&M's Kelsey Hoffman has a 6.72 goals-against average.

Ursinus at Haverford (Women's Lacrosse)
While first place is on the line in Lancaster, a first-round tournament bye could be up for grabs when the Bears (4-3, 6-8) and the Fords (5-2, 9-5) square off on the Main Line. Ursinus has a 16-1 advantage in the series since 1994, but Haverford's only win came in the last meeting at Swan Field in 2009 (18-16). The Fords' Josie Ferri is the third-leading scorer in the Conference with 45-20-65, while the Bears' Alyssa Thren is one of five 40-goal scorers in the CC (40-5-45).

Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Lacrosse)
Two teams fighting for their playoff lives meet in Lancaster as the 20th ranked Bullets (4-2, 8-5) visit the Diplomats (3-3, 8-4). A victory would clinch a playoff berth for Gettysburg, while a win would bolster F&M's hopes for its first CC playoff bid since 2005. It is the 54th time that the two schools have met with Gettysburg holding a 33-20 advantage, including victories in seven of the last eight games. The Diplomats' last win was an 11-9 home win in 2008. Gettysburg leads the Centennial in scoring defense (6.73), led by GK J.T. McCook. F&M is second in scoring offense (9.92), led by Billy Kempner (23-15-38).

Haverford at Ursinus (Men's Lacrosse)
Another tussle for playoff positioning takes place in Collegeville as the 12th ranked Fords (4-2, 9-3) take on the Bears (3-3, 8-4). Haverford has won six straight in the series and holds an 8-1 all-time lead. Ursinus' only win was a 10-9 triumph on the Main Line in 2004. The teams have two of the stingiest defenses in the Conference, as the Fords and Bears allow just 6.91 and 6.92 goals-against per game, respectively. Ursinus M Jeff Ocampo leads the Centennial with 32 goals, while Haverford GK Joe Banno has turned away a CC-best 66.8 percent of shots on net.

Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall (Softball)
It could almost be described as a playoff doubleheader as the Bullets (6-6, 16-14) travel to Amish Country to take on the Diplomats (6-5, 20-10-1). Neither team can really afford a loss and a sweep could be devastating to tournament hopes. The teams are 1-2 in the CC in batting average with F&M hitting .350 and Gettysburg .326. The Diplomats' Malorie Sassaman leads the Conference at .477, while the Bullets' Maggie Maguire has a Centennial-best seven round-trippers.

Haverford at Franklin & Marshall (Baseball)
The first-place Fords (11-3, 26-5) travel to take on the third-place Diplomats (10-4, 18-13) in the first of a two-game weekday set. It is the 70th time that the teams have met on the diamond with F&M holding a 46-22-1 advantage in the series. Haverford has taken the last two tilts at Kaplan Field, winning 12-10 in 2009 and 5-4 a year ago. The Fords lead the Centennial with a 3.29 team ERA, while SS Charlie Carluccio tops the circuit with a .411 batting average. Diplomat counterpart Matt Will leads his club with a .386 average. Probables: Dan Hochberg (3-0, 3.71) for the Fords and Mike Duranti (4-2, 3.35) for the Diplomats.

Washington College at Johns Hopkins (Baseball)
The Blue Jays (11-3, 18-11), tied for first place with Haverford, will have a major say on the playoff picture over the next week and begin today against the Shoremen (7-7, 16-14). Not only will Hopkins battle the Fords and F&M for the top seed in next weekend's tournament, JHU also closes the season with a single game against Washington and a twinbill vs. Muhlenberg - two teams battling Swarthmore for the final playoff spot. The Jays have won 12 straight against the Shoremen and hold a 75-32 all-time edge in the series that started in 1887. Washington's last win was a 15-5 triumph in 2005 in Chestertown, while the Chestertown nine has not returned home victorious from Baltimore since 1997 (9-5). Hopkins C Joe Borrelli is the reigning CC Player of the Week. Probables: Joe Kearney-Argow (3-3, 5.74) for the Shoremen and Kevin Gillen (3-0, 4.67) for the Jays.

Washington College at Swarthmore (Men's Tennis)
It's a critical match for playoff seeding when the Shoremen (5-2, 9-5) visit the banks of Crum Creek to take on the Garnet (6-1, 10-6). A Swarthmore victory could lock up a first-round tournament bye, while a Washington win would secure a playoff berth. The Shoremen's Adam Cranford is fourth in the CC with 13 singles wins (13-4) on the year, while the Garnet's No. 3 doubles team of Anthony Collard and Seth Udelson is fourth among all CC tandems with a 77.8 winning percentage (7-2).

Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Tennis)
Simply put, this is a playoff match for the Bullets (3-4, 10-4) who must win to keep their flickering tournament hopes alive. A Gettysburg loss and the five CC playoff teams are set and the Diplomats (5-2, 9-5) remain in the hunt for a first-round bye. The match at No. 1 singles between the Bullets' Chris Curran (9-8) and the Dips' Ross Silverberg (13-4) could go a long way to determining the outcome of the match.

Five-Star Matchups

It's the first edition of Five-Star Matchups for the spring season as men's and women's lacrosse heads into the Conference schedule.

Haverford at Gettysburg (Men's Lacrosse)
It's a rematch of last spring's championship game as the eighth-ranked Fords (5-1) and the 18th ranked Bullets (4-3) open the Centennial schedule. Haverford captured its first-ever CC crown with a 11-8 victory over Gettysburg at the Battlefield - a place that the Black Squirrels had not defeated the Bullets since the inception of the Conference in 1994. Gettysburg leads the all-time series, 27-3. Haverford has a balanced scoring attack with five players with seven or more goals, while the Bullets have a quartet of players with eight or more tallies. The third period will be crucial, as the Fords have outscored their opponents, 14-6, while Gettysburg has a 19-9 advantage in the third period.

Haverford at Gettysburg (Women's Lacrosse)
The Conference schedules kicks off with a whale of a matchup between the perennial power Bullets (3-1) and the upstart Fords (4-1). Gettysburg has won 17 straight games in the series since a 13-6 loss at Haverford in 1994. The Fords' only win at the Battlefield was in 1986 (9-7). The Bullets are led in scoring by Lindsey Robinson (11-11-22) and Hannah Church (14-4-18), while Haverford turns to Josie Ferri (25-9-34).

Muhlenberg at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Lacrosse)
The new-look Diplomats (4-1) take on the fast-starting Mules (4-1) who look to reverse history Saturday in Lancaster. Muhlenberg is 0-26 against F&M and has only come within four goals of the Blue once since 1994. Lauren Selawski leads the Dips in scoring (10-6-16), while the Mules are led by the one-two combo of Danielle Rosen and Angela Napoletano who each have 19 goals.

Five-Star Matchups

Perhaps we should have called this "The Final Countdown." It's the final day of the basketball season, while the swimmers begin their second season this weekend at Gettysburg at the Conference championships. The track and field athletes prepare for next weekend's championship meet at Haverford, while the wrestlers gear up for next Saturday's Centennial tournament at Washington and Lee.

Let's talk hoops on this blog entry ... and the scenarios surrounding the final berths for the playoffs.

Women's Basketball
Four teams are in the field - Johns Hopkins (1), Muhlenberg (2), Gettysburg (3) and Ursinus. A Bear win over the Mules will give Ursinus the No. 4 seed and home court for Wednesday's first-round game against either Franklin & Marshall or Swarthmore. A loss combined with a Diplomat win vs. Dickinson would enable F&M to slip into the four-spot and host UC on Wednesday. A F&M loss combined with a Swarthmore win vs. Haverford would allow the Garnet to grab the No. 5 position and oust the Diplomats.

Swarthmore at Haverford, 1:00
Ursinus at Muhlenberg, 2:00
Dickinson at Franklin & Marshall, 2:00
Muhlenberg has clinched the No. 2 seed and will face Gettysburg in the CC semifinals next weekend at Johns Hopkins. Ursinus (11-8 CC, 15-9) can secure the No. 4 seed with a win or with a loss by F&M. The Bears have dropped five straight to the Mules since a 2008 win at Memorial Hall. The Diplomats (10-9, 12-12) have lost four consecutive contests and 10 of the last 11 to the Red Devils and need a victory to lock down a playoff berth. A loss opens the door for the Garnet (10-9, 14-10) who has won 23 of the last 26 games with Haverford. But the Fords defeated Swat by 21 in the year's first meeting at Tarble. F&M holds the tie-breaker with the Garnet due to its season sweep of Swarthmore.

Men's Basketball
We know that three teams are in the field - Franklin & Marshall (1), Dickinson (2) and McDaniel. The Green Terror and Gettysburg meet at Bream with the winner receiving the third first-round bye. A Bullet win would make McDaniel the No. 4 seed and the Terror would host the first-round game on Wednesday. A Gettysburg victory would also mean Ursinus can secure the final spot in the tournament with a win at Muhlenberg. A Bear loss in this scenario opens the door for Haverford to get in the field with a win over Swarthmore. Losses by the Fords and UC gets the Mules in as the No. 5 seed.

But if McDaniel wins ... Ursinus can get the #4 spot with a victory, while Haverford gets to host the first-round game with a win and a Bear loss. Gettysburg slides in at #4 with losses by the Fords and the Bears. An Ursinus win means that Haverford can qualify with a win, while a loss puts the Bullets in at No. 5. Follow all that?

McDaniel at Gettysburg, 2:00
Swarthmore at Haverford, 3:00
Ursinus at Muhlenberg, 4:00
The Green Terror (10-7, 13-11) looks for its first season sweep of the Bullets (10-7, 13-11) since 2007. The Bears (9-8, 12-12) and the Mules (8-9, 12-12) meet for the 100th time with UC looking for its sixth win in eight games vs. 'Berg. Watch the battle of the big guys - Ursinus' Jon Ward and Muhlenberg's Kevin Hargrove. The Fords (9-8, 12-11) have won seven in a row vs. the Garnet who has not won at Gooding Arena since 2006.

Five-Star Matchups

Although Saturday will certainly determine the final seeds for next weekend's basketball championship tournaments, tonight may be even more important for the teams involved in the chase.

Can't make it out to a game tonight? Enjoy all the action on your computer at the Conference's "C-Zone" - our one-stop channel. We'll have cameras at all five venues and you can also join in the conversation on our live blog or on Twitter. Be part of the action!

Washington College at Ursinus (Women's Basketball)
Two of the four teams competing for the two remaining berths in the playoff field square off in Collegeville tonight. The Shorewomen (9-9 CC, 11-12) won the first meeting in Chestertown by a 49-41 count and have won four of the last five from the Bears (10-8, 14-9). The last time Ursinus won as many as 14 games in a season was 2007 (19-10), also the last time UC won the Centennial title. Washington has not qualified for the Conference tournament since 1999.

Johns Hopkins at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Basketball)
The Blue Jays (16-3, 19-4) bring down the curtain on their regular-season schedule with a trip to Lancaster to face the Diplomats (10-8, 12-11). Hopkins won the year's first tilt (57-49) and look to improve their 13-5 record at Mayser since 1994. In fact, F&M has won just once in the last seven games vs. Hop at home (2008, 73-71). The Diplomats are tied with Ursinus for fourth place in the CC and hold a one-game lead over Swarthmore and Washington in the playoff chase.

Haverford at Muhlenberg (Men's Basketball)
Two of the three teams tied for fifth place in the Centennial meet tonight in what could be a playoff game for both. The Fords (8-8, 11-11) and the Mules (8-8, 12-11), along with Ursinus, are a game behind Gettysburg and McDaniel as the race for the final three tourney berths nears its conclusion. Muhlenberg won on the Main Line, 77-69, back in January and has won six of the last seven with Haverford. The Fords have lost six straight at Memorial Hall since a 71-62 triumph in 2005.

Five-Star Matchups

It's the weekend prior to Valentine's Day and (pardon the upcoming pun) we have some Sweetheart matchups as the basketball regular season enters its penultimate Saturday, the wrestling dual-meet title is on the line and the indoor track and field season enters the home stretch.

Women's Basketball
Franklin & Marshall at Swarthmore
Johns Hopkins at Ursinus
Two huge games dot the Conference landscape on Saturday as the Diplomats (9-8 CC, 11-11) travel to take on the Garnet (9-8, 13-9) and the Blue Jays (15-3, 18-4) visit Collegeville and the Bears (10-7, 14-8). F&M and Swarthmore are tied in the loss column with Washington College for the fifth and final CC playoff berth. The Diplomats won the first meeting of the season by 20 and look for their ninth win in the last 11 games vs. the Garnet. Hopkins can clinch the top seed and home court for the Centennial tournament by avenging its overtime home loss to Ursinus on Jan. 8. The Bears can take a huge step toward the playoffs and hosting a first-round contest with a victory.

STANDINGS
Hopkins ..... 15-3
Muhlenberg .. 13-4
Gettysburg .. 12-5
Ursinus ..... 10-7
Swarthmore ..  9-8
F&M .........  9-8
Washington ..  8-8

Men's Basketball
Muhlenberg at McDaniel
Haverford at Dickinson
Four of the six teams fighting for the four remaining playoff spots meet in games in Westminster and Carlisle. The Mules (8-7, 12-10) and the Green Terror (8-7, 11-11) square off in a contest that will go a long way in determining one of those slots. Muhlenberg has won seven of the last nine at the Gill Center and captured an 80-66 decision in Allentown in the year's first meeting. The Red Devils (10-5, 12-10) can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Fords (8-7, 11-10). Haverford, who has qualified for the CC tournament in each of the last three odd-numbered years, can solidly improve its chances to continue that streak with a win.

STANDINGS
F&M ......... 13-2
Dickinson ... 10-5
Muhlenberg ..  8-7
Haverford ...  8-7
Gettysburg ..  8-7
McDaniel ....  8-7
Ursinus .....  7-8

Wrestling
Johns Hopkins, Merchant Marine at Stevens
The Blue Jays (4-1, 8-9) and the Mariners (5-0, 11-2) visit Hoboken to meet the Ducks (4-1, 11-10-1) and Gettysburg in the regular-season Conference quad finale. A Hopkins sweep would give JHU its first-ever Centennial dual title, while one win would give USMMA its fourth consecutive dual-meet crown. Stevens can also grab a share of its first crown, while Ursinus can still sneak in as dual champs with two losses by the Mariners and a split by Hop and the Ducks. The 174-pound weight class could be crucial as Kings Point's Justin Diesel (19-2), Stevens' Ryan Dormann (28-3) and JHU's Pat Stanley (18-4) do battle.

STANDINGS
USMMA ....... 5-0
Hopkins ..... 4-1
Stevens ..... 4-1
Ursinus ..... 4-2

Five-Star Matchups

There's a new way to watch Centennial Conference sports - the "C Zone" Channel. We have created a web page that has all the video screens from our member schools. It's not quite NFL "Red Zone" style, but does provide you with a window into all the day's action on one screen. Hope you enjoy!

Haverford at McDaniel
Muhlenberg at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Basketball)
The Diplomats (11-2 CC, 15-5) hold a three-game lead in the chase for the top seed and home court for the Conference tournament, while the other three are trying to land one of the remaining four spots. The Mules (8-5, 12-8) ended a seven-game losing streak against F&M with a 71-67 victory in Allentown. But 'Berg has not won at Mayser since the 2001 Centennial semifinals. The Green Terror (8-5, 11-9) downed the Fords (7-6, 10-9) in the year's first meeting and look for the second season sweep in four seasons. Haverford has dropped three straight games at the Gill Center.

STANDINGS

F&M .......... 11-2
Muhlenberg ...  8-5
Gettysburg ...  8-5
McDaniel .....  8-5
Dickinson ....  8-5
Haverford ....  7-6

Ursinus at Gettysburg
Muhlenberg at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Basketball)
Four of the team chasing front-running Johns Hopkins in the women's basketball standings square off on Saturday. The Bullets (10-5 CC, 15-5), fresh from an overtime win at Hopkins, entertain the Bears (9-6, 13-7), while the Diplomats (9-6, 11-9) welcome the Mules (10-4, 14-5) to Mayser Center. Ursinus looks for its first two-game season sweep of Gettysburg since 1995. A Bear win would give UC 14 for the season - just the second time since 1997 that Ursinus has won 14 or more games. Gettysburg has won five straight from the Bears at Bream Gym. Muhlenberg has won five in a row from F&M and eight of the last nine.

STANDINGS

Hopkins ...... 13-3
Muhlenberg ... 10-4
Gettysburg ... 10-5
Ursinus ......  9-6
F&M ..........  9-6
Swarthmore ...  8-7
Washington ...  7-7

Dickinson at Swarthmore (Men's Swimming)
The Red Devils (4-1, 8-2) and the Garnet (3-1, 4-1) square off in a meet that could determine first place in the Conference. Dickinson would share the dual-meet title with Gettysburg, should the Bullets drop their season finale at Franklin & Marshall. Swarthmore would also need a win vs. Washington next Wednesday to share the crown.

Gettysburg at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Swimming)
The best swimming rivalry in the Conference is renewed Saturday at the Kunkel Aquatic Center as the Bullets (6-0, 7-2) and Diplomats (6-0, 7-4) meet for the dual-meet title. Gettysburg's Maggie Mulderrig will need a big meet in the freestyle sprints to offset F&M's Olivia Hill in the freestyle distances.

Five-Star Matchups

Swarthmore at Ursinus (Women's Basketball)
The Garnet (6-5 CC, 10-6) looks for a season sweep against the Bears (7-4, 10-5) in a showdown between teams headed the wrong way in the Conference standings. Both Swarthmore and Ursinus have dropped two in a row and look for a win to right the ship. The Garnet defeated the Bears, 70-62, back on Dec. 4 as Ceylan Bodur tossed in 17 points. Swarthmore has not swept Ursinus in a season set since 2005, but leads the all-time series 64-22.

Johns Hopkins at Ursinus (Wrestling)
The Blue Jays (1-0, 4-8) and the Bears (0-0, 4-0) meet in Collegeville in an early-season test. Ursinus is undefeated against Hopkins since the inception of the Conference in 1994. Nate Murren leads the Bears with a 17-6 record at 184. Pat Stanley has a 14-3 record at 174 for the Jays.

McDaniel at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Basketball)
The Green Terror (6-3, 9-7) and the Diplomats (7-2, 12-4) meet in a first-place showdown in Lancaster. The home team has won each of the last six meetings between the teams and McDaniel, fresh from a 61-53 win vs. F&M on Jan. 11, looks for its first season sweep since 2008. Keep an eye on the guards - F&M's Georgio Milligan (17.1) and McDaniel's Devon Lesniak (15.3).

Haverford at Gettysburg (Men's Basketball)
The Fords (6-3, 9-6) look for their first-ever season sweep of the Bullets (6-3, 9-7) when they visit the Battlefield. Haverford defeated Gettysburg 65-55 back on Dec. 4 but has never beaten the Orange and Blue at Bream Gym. Two of the CC's most dynamic scorers take the floor in Haverford's Cam Baker (18.1) and Gettysburg's Andrew Powers (20.4).

Five-Star Matchups

Welcome to the first edition of "Five-Star Matchups" for 2011. Conference play resumes in full force on Saturday and here are the games to watch.

Dickinson at Haverford (Men's Basketball)
The surprising Red Devils (4-1 CC, 6-6) look to tighten their hold on second place in the CC when they visit the Main Line to play the Fords (3-2, 6-5). Haverford has won four straight in the series and 15 of 24 since the inception of the Conference. Dickinson's last win at Gooding Arena was in 2008 (51-50). The Devils' Matt Dolan ranks in the CC top 10 in scoring (14.4) and rebounding (8.3), as does the Fords' Sam Permutt (15.8, 9.2).

Ursinus at Johns Hopkins (Women's Basketball)
The first-place Blue Jays (6-0, 9-1) welcome the Bears (5-2, 8-3) to Goldfarb Gym, looking to extend their nine-game winning streak. Hopkins has not lost since its opening game and has won five in a row versus Ursinus. The Bears have not won in Baltimore since 1995 (74-70) - a stretch of 15 games. Although JHU is second in the Conference in scoring offense (68.3), expect a low-scoring contest, as the Jays (46.0) and Bears (48.7) are 1-2 in the Centennial in scoring defense.

Swarthmore at Franklin & Marshall (Women's Basketball)
The Garnet (4-1, 8-2) finds itself tied for second place in the Conference but faces a road challenge against the Diplomats (4-2, 6-5). Swarthmore registered its first-ever season sweep of F&M last winter, including an 88-83 overtime win that snapped a seven-game losing streak at Mayser Center. Kathryn Stockbower is second in the CC in scoring (17.4) and first in rebounding (13.6) for the Garnet, while the Diplomats are second in the Conference in field goal percentage defense (.328). Watch LIVE!

Gettysburg vs. Washington and Lee (Wrestling)
The Conference dual-meet schedule gets underway as the Bullets (0-0, 1-1) tangle with the Generals (0-0, 1-0). The day's best match could come at 165 between Gettysburg's Dan Grabfelder (13-8, 8 falls) and W&L's David Dennis (8-5). Freshman 174 Jared Leon has the Bullets' top record at 16-7, while rookie 197-pounder Jordan Yost leads W&L with a 7-2 mark.

Five-Star Matchups

Here it is - the first of two fall Championship Weekends. We kick things off Saturday with the annual Cross Country championship, hosted by Johns Hopkins in Elkridge, Md. Then we turn our focus to the final day of the regular season in field hockey, soccer and volleyball. One final four site is up for grabs, while spots in three of the four sports are still available with one game remaining. Sets the stage for a great weekend ... follow the latest news by following us on Twitter. Our feed also posts directly to the Conference website home page.

Ursinus at Johns Hopkins (Women's Soccer), Friday, 7 p.m.
The Bears (6-3, 10-5) need a win over the 13th ranked Blue Jays (7-2, 14-3) to clinch a playoff berth. Simple really, just beat Hopkins for the first time ever (0-13-2), while also defeating your first-ever ranked opponent. That said, Ursinus is one of the hottest teams in the Conference, riding a six-match win streak.

Dickinson at Franklin & Marshall (Men's Soccer), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
There are seven teams battling for four playoff berths with one game remaining, so each weekend match takes on a playoff atmosphere. The Red Devils (4-2-2, 10-3-3) and the Diplomats (4-1-3, 8-3-3) meet for the 60th time in their long-running series (1931) with F&M holding a 33-19-7 advantage. Dickinson is 3-0-2 in the last five contests since a 2-1 Diplomat win at home in 2005. That was the last year that the Blue and White scored a goal against the Devils. Winner is in the tournament. Watch LIVE.

Swarthmore at Franklin & Marshall (Volleyball), 12 p.m.
Although both teams are in the five-team postseason field, the winner of the match secures a first-round bye for the tourney. The Diplomats (7-2, 19-6) hold a 33-4 all-time advantage in the series against the Garnet (7-2, 17-9), including 21 straight matches. Swarthmore's last victory came in 1989.

Muhlenberg at Gettysburg (Women's Soccer), 1 p.m.
This match looks and feels like a first-round playoff match, as the winner is in the field, while the loser is most likely out. The Bullets (6-3, 11-6) lead the all-time series, 12-7-2, but the Mules (6-3, 7-7-2) are 3-0-1 in the last four. Watch LIVE.

Dickinson at Washington (Field Hockey), 1 p.m.
The Shorewomen (5-4, 7-9) can clinch the last remaining playoff berth with a win at home against the Red Devils (2-7, 3-13). A Washington loss opens the door for McDaniel (4-5, 7-9) to take the final spot with a win at Haverford (7-2, 12-4). Dickinson has not won in Chestertown since 1995 - a streak of seven games.

Ursinus at Johns Hopkins (Field Hockey), 5 p.m.
The last remaining final four site is up for grabs Saturday evening in Baltimore as the third-ranked Bears (9-0 CC, 15-1) visit the Blue Jays (8-1, 11-5). The winner hosts the final four next weekend ... pretty simple. Ursinus is 13-1 all-time against Hopkins, but that one time was memorable, as JHU knocked off the Bears in Collegeville in the 2003 CC semifinals. Ursinus has won 34 consecutive Centennial regular-season games since a 3-2 loss at F&M on Oct. 6, 2007.

Haverford at Swarthmore (Men's Soccer), 7 p.m.
At kick-off, we'll know the playoff situation. The Garnet (6-0-2, 13-1-2) already know its fate and will host the final four next weekend. The Fords (4-3-1, 8-5-2) need a victory to have a chance for its first-ever CC tourney appearance ... a tie will leave Haverford on the outside looking in. This match is one of the oldest rivalries in all of collegiate soccer, meeting for the 88th time since 1921. Swarthmore has won six in a row to narrow its series deficit to 43-36-8. The Fords' last win along Crum Creek - 2002 (1-0). Watch LIVE.

Five-Star Matchups

If you could be in two places at one time ... tonight would be a great night to be at Varsity Field in Allentown and Tarble Pavilion in Swarthmore. The top two teams in men's soccer and volleyball square off tonight in these locales with first place and the top seed for the upcoming playoff tournaments on the line.

Swarthmore at Muhlenberg (Men's Soccer)
"It's the biggest game of my career, the biggest game of every senior's career." - Eric Williams, Muhlenberg (pictured in grey)

How big is this game ... the last time two unbeaten Conference teams met this late in the season was in 1998 when Johns Hopkins (7-0) defeated Gettysburg (7-0), 2-0, at Homewood. The #19th ranked Mules (4-0-3, 9-0-6) are one of two unbeaten teams (Wisconsin-Oshkosh) in Division III, while the ninth-ranked Garnet (12-1-2, 5-0-2) can secure the top seed and home field advantage for next weekend's final four with a victory. Muhlenberg holds a 28-24-3 series lead and has a win and a tie in its last two trips to Clothier Field. Two of the top candidates for CC Player of the Year will be on display in the Mules' Cody Antonini (15-4-34) and Swarthmore's Morgan Langley (11-13-35). Antonini leads the Centennial and is third in Division III in goals, while Langley leads the Conference and is sixth nationally in points. 'Berg has a school record 15-game unbeaten streak. Watch LIVE.

Haverford at Swarthmore (Volleyball)
Do you prefer volleyball to soccer ... then we have a match for you! The four-time defending Centennial champion Fords (8-0, 15-12) can lock up the top seed for next weekend's Conference tournament with a victory over the Garnet (7-1, 17-8). A Swat victory, combined with a triumph at F&M on Friday night, would give the Garnet the top seed and homecourt next Saturday. The Fords have won seven straight in the series to take a 20-7 lead since the inception of the CC in 1993. Swarthmore's last triumph was a four-set win at home in 2003. The stars will be out in force tonight at Tarble, as Haverford's Kelsey Cantwell is third in the Conference in kills (3.08), while the Garnet's Genny Pezzola is sixth (2.99). The Fords' Kate Comey leads all CC setters in assists (9.85), while Swat's Brone Lobichusky is among the Conference leaders in blocks (0.75). Watch LIVE.

Johns Hopkins at Gettysburg (Men's Soccer)
Not to be lost in the lights of the showdown at Swarthmore is the critical match between the Blue Jays (3-2-2, 10-3-3) and the Bullets (3-2-2, 4-8-2) at the Battlefield. It was 12 years ago when the squads battled for the Centennial championship as Conference unbeatens. Tonight, they meet as two teams tied for the fifth and final playoff spot, looking for three points to solidify their tournament hopes. This is the 75th meeting between the schools with Hopkins holding a 44-21-9 advantage. Gettysburg has captured the last two regular season matches, but JHU won the 2008 semifinal contest at Swarthmore. Hopkins' Sean Coleman (9-1-19) trails only Swarthmore's Morgan Langley (11-13-35) and Muhlenberg's Cody Antonini (15-4-34) in the Conference scoring chase. Watch out for Gettysburg's Eric Hynes. Two of his three goals in CC play have been game-winners. Watch LIVE.

Johns Hopkins at McDaniel (Field Hockey)
The Blue Jays (7-1 CC, 10-5) and the Green Terror (4-4, 7-8) meet in a game that has critical implications for both teams' playoff hopes. Hopkins needs a win to keep its hopes alive for the top seed and homefield for next weekend's final four. McDaniel is tied with Washington College for the fifth and final playoff spot and needs a win to improve its chances of making the field. It is the 36th meeting between the long-time rivals with JHU holding a 23-10-2 lead, including wins in the last five encounters. The Terror's last triumph was a 4-0 blanking of the Blue Jays at home in 2005. Hopkins' Carly Bianco (11-5-27) is one of seven CC players with 10+ goals, while McDaniel's Sarah Meszler has three game-winning goals among her seven on the season.

Five-Star Matchups

The games of the day take place in women's soccer, as three contests will have a direct bearing on which five teams qualify for the Conference tournament that begins next Wednesday.

Gettysburg at Dickinson (Women's Soccer)
The Bullets (6-2 CC, 11-5) and the Red Devils (7-1, 12-2-1) meet in a Route 34 battle that could determine the site for next weekend's final four. This is the 27th meeting between the two rivals in a series that dates to 1988. Gettysburg holds a 15-9-2 all-time advantage but has not won in Carlisle since 2001 (5-4). Two of the top scorers in the Conference will be on display in the Bullets' Casey Attanasio (8-4-20) and the Red Devils' Genevieve Olson (8-5-21). With Washington College (0-8, 4-9-1) waiting on the weekend, a Dickinson victory today puts the Red and White in position to lock up the top seed for the Centennial championship tournament.

Haverford at Swarthmore (Women's Soccer)
Whenever these two rivals meet, it's a good game. Put a Conference playoff berth into the mix and it should be a great game. The Fords (5-3, 10-5) and the Garnet (5-3, 7-6-2) are part of a three-way tie for fourth place in the Conference with Ursinus. Three points today will go a long way to helping secure a berth in the tourney. Haverford holds a 16-8-2 all-time advantage in the series and captured a 3-0 decision last season at Walton Field. Swarthmore is 0-1-2 against its rival since a 1-0 win at home in 2006. Megan Colombo, the all-time leading goal scorer at Swat, has 9-2-20 to lead the Garnet in scoring, while 'keeper Kayleigh Herrick-Reynolds (pictured) is third in the CC with an 0.81 goals-against average.

Muhlenberg at Ursinus (Women's Soccer)
Two other clubs that need a victory meet in Collegeville as the Mules (6-2, 7-6-2) and the Bears (5-3, 9-5) square off. Muhlenberg leads the all-time series, 12-4, and has four wins in the last five matches. Ursinus has not won at Wilkes Field since a 3-2 triumph in 2004. The Mules can clinch a playoff berth with a victory, while the Bears need points to keep their playoff hopes afloat. Nicolette Miller leads 'Berg and the Conference with 11 goals, while Ursinus GK Kara DiJoseph is second in the CC in save percentage (84.3).

Five-Star Matchups

It's the penultimate weekend in the Conference regular season for field hockey, soccer and volleyball, while cross country prepares for next weekend's Centennial championship in Elkridge, Md. It's crunch time in the Conference and we take a look at the weekend's big games.



Men's Soccer
Might be easier to list the game that won't have an impact on the Centennial playoff chase on Saturday in the nation's toughest DIII conference (see poll if you don't believe us!). Five points separate the top seven teams in the CC with only five playoff spots available. Swarthmore (4-0-2 CC, 11-1-2), ranked first nationally by the NSCAA, has a two-point edge on Muhlenberg for first place and hosts McDaniel (2-4, 5-9). The #19 Mules (3-0-3, 8-0-6) - one of three unbeaten teams in the country along with Dominican and Wisconsin-Oshkosh - play host to Haverford (3-2-1, 7-4-2) who is tied with Dickinson and Gettysburg for fourth place. The Fords have not won in Allentown since 1969. The Red Devils (3-2-1, 9-3-2) and the Bullets (3-2-1, 4-8-1) square off in Carlisle for the 70th time in their series, while third-place Johns Hopkins (3-1-2, 10-2-3) welcomes Franklin & Marshall (2-1-3, 6-3-3) to the Charm City.

Washington at McDaniel (Field Hockey)
The Shorewomen (4-3, 6-8) and the Green Terror (3-4, 6-8) meet in a game for Free State bragging rights that could also determine both teams' playoff chances. McDaniel holds a 10-7 all-time lead, but Washington has taken two of the last three in Westminster, including a 3-2 decision in 2008. The Shorewomen are just 1-5 over their last six contests. Emily Trees leads WC in scoring with 7-3-17. Sarah Meszler tops the Terror scoring list with 7-1-15.

Gettysburg at Swarthmore (Field Hockey)
The Bullets (4-3, 6-8) and the Garnet (3-4, 6-9) are two of seven teams still in the hunt for the final two playoff berths and a win Saturday would go a long way to helping the cause. Gettysburg has won nine straight in the series to forge a 15-5 all-time advantage. Swarthmore's last win was a 4-2 triumph at home in 2000. Sarah Cole leads the Orange and Blue in scoring (6-2-14), while Katie Teleky (8-2-18) and Nia Jones (8-1-17) share the goal-scoring lead for the Garnet.

Gettysburg at Swarthmore (Volleyball)
Two-for-the-price-of-one as the Bullets (5-2, 14-12) and the Garnet (6-1, 16-8) also meet in a critical volleyball match at Tarble Pavilion on Saturday. The winner secures a Conference playoff berth and improves its chances for a first-round bye in the Centennial tournament in two weeks. History favors Gettysburg, as the Bullets have won all 28 previous meetings with Swarthmore. In fact, the Garnet has taken just one set in 17 matches (2006) since the formation of the Centennial in 1993. But this isn't your mother's Swat squad. Swarthmore leads the CC in hitting percentage (.210), led by Kathryn Montemurro (.330) and Genny Pezzola (2.95 kpg). Gettysburg's Nicole Burns in third in the Conference in hitting (.306).

Haverford at Dickinson (Women's Soccer)
All eyes in the Conference women's soccer world will be on Carlisle, as the Fords (5-2, 10-4) tangle with the Red Devils (6-1, 11-2-1). Dickinson sits alone in first place in the CC with 18 points, while six teams - including Haverford - are tied for second with 15. The home team has won this match-up in each of the last four years and the Fords hold a 13-8-4 series advantage that includes a 5-2 win at Dickinson in 2004. The Devil defense has been superb and has not surrendered a goal since Sept. 25 - a streak of seven games and 723:06. Genevieve Olson leads Dickinson in scoring with 7-5-19. Haverford's defense has recorded four consecutive shutouts. Meg Boyer leads the Fords in scoring (4-4-12).

Five-Star Matchups

Just three weekends left in the fall regular season in the Conference and the games just keep getting bigger and bigger. That's why we're here - to highlight the key contests. Hope to see you at a Centennial venue on this windy weekend.

Franklin & Marshall at Haverford (Volleyball)
The Diplomats (5-1 CC, 16-5) and the Fords (4-0, 11-12) meet in a match that could decide homecourt for the upcoming Conference tournament in three weeks. F&M holds a 20-7 all-time lead in the series, but Haverford - the four-time defending Centennial champ - has won four of the last six, including two in a row. Four of the CC's top hitters - F&M's Sydney Seydel (.348) and Candice Tussing (.244) and Haverford's Olivia Coburn-Flynn (.247) and Jenine Abbassi (.236) will be on display. Setting them will be the Conference's top two assisters - Kate Comey of the Fords (9.94) and Pam Horner of the Diplomats (9.48).

Gettysburg at Washington (Field Hockey)
The Bullets (3-2, 5-7) and the Shorewomen (3-2, 5-7) are two of the four teams tied for third place in a Conference that sends five to the playoffs. Gettysburg has taken six straight in the series and holds a 14-4 overall lead. Washington's last win was a home victory in 2003 (2-1). The Bullets are fourth in the CC in scoring offense (2.49), while the Shorewomen are third in goals-against average (1.94). Emily Trees leads Washington with seven goals, while Sarah Cole has six for Gettysburg.

Dickinson at Haverford (Men's Soccer)
There are eight teams fighting for five playoff spots in the Conference and the Red Devils (2-2-1, 8-3-2) and the Fords (3-1-1, 7-3-2) are two of them. It is the 36th time that the two schools will meet on the pitch with Haverford holding a slim 16-15-4 series advantage. Dickinson has won six straight since a 3-1 loss in Carlisle in 2003. The Fords have not defeated the Devils at Walton Field since 2000 (3-0). Dickinson GK Cody Hickok is third in the CC in save percentage (.841) and fourth in goals-against average (0.59). Alejandro Rettig y Martinez is fifth in the Conference in scoring, leading the Fords with 6-3-15.

Johns Hopkins at Muhlenberg (Women's Soccer)
The Blue Jays (5-1, 11-2) and the Mules (3-2, 4-6-2) have been two of the most successful programs in Centennial history, combining for 11 Conference championships (JHU-8, MUH-3). Hopkins has won seven of the last eight matches and holds a 13-7-1 all-time lead. Muhlenberg broke a seven-game losing skid to Hop with a victory last season in Baltimore, but has not won at home since 2003 (2-0). The Mules' Meghan O'Grady leads the Conference in scoring (9-2-20). Four JHU players share the team lead in goals with six - Paulina Goodman, Allie Zazzali, Christina Convey and Erica Suter.

Five-Star Matchups

Haverford at Johns Hopkins (Field Hockey)
The Fords (2-1 CC, 6-2) and the Blue Jays (2-1, 4-4) meet in a game that could have playoff implications down the line. Hopkins leads the all-time series, 25-4-1, and has won all 15 previous contests at Homewood Field. Haverford broke a 10-game losing streak to JHU last season, winning 3-2 on Swan Field. The Fords' Alex Waleko is sixth in the country in goals (1.57) and points (3.71) per game. Carly Bianco leads the Jays with five goals.

Muhlenberg at Johns Hopkins (Men's Soccer)
A battle of nationally-ranked clubs takes place under the lights at Homewood Field as the Mules (1-0-2, 5-0-3) take on the Blue Jays (1-1-1, 7-2-2). Muhlenberg, ranked 19th by D3soccer.com and 22nd by the NSCAA, is looking for its first win in the Charm City since the series' first meeting in 1946 (4-2). Hopkins, ranked 13th and 25th, respectively, holds a 14-10-2 series lead. 'Berg junior Cody Antonini leads the Conference with 11 goals and 25 points. JHU goalkeeper Ravi Gill has a CC-leading 0.,57 goals-against average.

Ursinus at Gettysburg (Women's Soccer)
The Bears (2-1, 5-3) and the Bullets (2-1, 6-3) meet for the 17th time since 1996 with Gettysburg holding a 10-3-3 series lead. Ursinus is 3-1-2 in its last six matches with the Bullets. Jess Porcelan of the Bears shares the Conference lead with six goals and GK Kara DiJoseph has the Centennial-best 87.2 save percentage. Gettysburg has a balanced scoring attack, led by Rachel West with 4-4-12.

Haverford at Johns Hopkins (Volleyball)
Two of the three unbeaten teams in Conference play meet in Baltimore with their share of first place on the line. The Fords (2-0, 8-9) are battle-tested with four of their losses coming at the hands of top-20 teams, including three against Nos. 1 and 2. Laura Ramos is fourth in the Conference in kills at 3.02 per set. JHU's Melissa Cole leads the Centennial in that category at 3.28 per set. Hopkins (3-0, 10-9) is 16-9 all-time against Haverford but has dropped five straight since a 2005 win in five sets on the Main Line.

Five-Star Matchups

Welcome back to another season of Five-Star Matchups. For our newcomers ... Five-Star Matchups is our look at the day's key games. These games could have importance on the Conference and/or national level and deserve your attention. As we close out the summer, it's time for Centennial play to begin in most sports and Saturday features some early-season showdowns.

Franklin & Marshall at Washington (Field Hockey)
The Diplomats (1-0 CC, 5-1) and the Shorewomen (1-0, 3-3) meet for the 18th time since 1993 with Washington holding a two-game winning streak and a 10-7 all-time lead in the series. F&M, ranked 17th nationally in the most recent poll, is led by Eileen O'Reilly who has 6-4-16 through six games. Washington GK Shannon Davis is third in the CC with a 1.27 goals-against average. The last time both F&M and Washington made the playoffs in the same season - 2004.

Dickinson at Swarthmore (Men's Soccer)
This is the 22nd time that the Red Devils (1-0, 5-1-1) and Garnet (1-0, 7-0) have met on the pitch since 1993 with Dickinson holding a 13-5-3 advantage. However, the Devils are 0-3-2 in their last six trips to Clothier Field and the two draws ended as postseason defeats in penalties. Swarthmore is ranked fourth in the country by D3soccer.com and fifth by the NSCAA. It is the highest ranking for a Centennial team since Johns Hopkins was second in 2004. The Garnet is also first in the Mid-Atlantic region for the first time in program history. Morgan Langley leads the nation in total assists (7) and assists per game (1.17). Dickinson suffered its first defeat in seven matches with an overtime defeat at #10 Messiah on Wednesday. Javier Mena leads the Devils with five goals.

Gettysburg at Haverford (Women's Soccer)
The Bullets (1-0, 5-2) and the Fords (1-0, 4-2) do battle for the 19th time since 1993 with Gettysburg holding an 11-7 all-time series lead. Haverford has won two straight and three of the last four meetings. Gettysburg's Rachel West leads the Conference with 12 points on four goals and four assists. The stingy Ford defense has surrendered only four goals this season in front of GK Kayleigh Herrick-Reynolds.

Track and Field Championship Preview

The 17th annual Centennial Conference Track and Field championship begins today at Swarthmore College with the multi-events and the 10K. And all eyes are on the Haverford men's and women's squads, as the Fords look to extend their championship streaks.

The Haverford men have won all 16 titles in the Conference's existence, but the Fords were defeated by Dickinson at the 2010 indoor championships. The Haverford women won their fourth consecutive Centennial championship last spring. The Fords will face challenges from Johns Hopkins, who finished second indoors, and Muhlenberg.

Some individuals to keep an eye on ... can Ursinus' Al Desiderio become the first male to repeat in the 100/200 since UC's Brandon Evans in 2005-06 ... can Muhlenberg's Alexandra Faust become the first four-time winner of the women's pole vault?

Defending Champions (Men)
100: Al Desiderio, Ursinus
200: Al Desiderio, Ursinus
800: Tim Schoch, Haverford
400 Hurdles; Brendan Kirk, Muhlenberg
3000 Steeplechase: Kent Pecora, Dickinson
Shot Put: Ryan Lino, Johns Hopkins
High Jump: Travis Youngs, Ursinus
Discus: Anthony Abbate, Dickinson

Defending Champions (Women)
200: Christina Neilson, Haverford
400: Alex Faust, Muhlenberg
1500: Laura Paulsen, Johns Hopkins
10,000: Laura Paulsen, Johns Hopkins
100 Hurdles: Eliza Reiss, Haverford
Pole Vault: Alex Faust, Muhlenberg
Discus: Jackie Freund, Haverford
High Jump: Nicole Cox, Swarthmore

Men's Top Performances
Women's Top Performances

Playoff Scenarios

Playoffs! Allen Iverson will always be known for his rant on practice ... Jim Mora will always be known for his rant on the playoffs!

Here are the scenarios for Saturday's Centennial Conference action as it relates to playoff consideration:

BASEBALL
Hopkins is #1 seed; Haverford and Swarthmore are in the tourney.
Muhlenberg is IN with a sweep of Washington; Shoremen are IN with one win vs. Mules.

MEN'S LACROSSE
Gettysburg is #1 seed, Dickinson is #2 seed
Haverford is IN with win vs. Swarthmore and is #3 seed.
McDaniel is IN with win vs. Dickinson.
Loser of Muhlenberg-Ursinus is OUT.

a 4-4 tie between Haverford and Muhlenberg --> Muhlenberg
a 4-4 tie between Haverford and Ursinus --> Haverford
a 4-4 tie between McDaniel, Muhlenberg and/or Ursinus --> McDaniel
a 4-4 tie among Haverford, McDaniel and Ursinus --> Haverford, McDaniel
a 4-4 tie among Haverford, McDaniel and Muhlenberg
* teams are 1-1 vs. each other
* if F&M wins vs. Gettysburg and gains 6th place --> Haverford, McDaniel
* if F&M loses and three teams are tied at 2-6 --> Haverford, McDaniel on goal differential in games between Haverford, McDaniel and Muhlenberg

WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Gettysburg is #1 seed and plays winner of Haverford-Dickinson in semis
Franklin & Marshall is #2 seed and plays #3 seed Ursinus in semis
Haverford is #4 seed and plays host to #5 Dickinson in 1st round

SOFTBALL
Ursinus is #1 seed
Gettysburg, Swarthmore and Dickinson are IN
Dickinson wins all tie-breakers in an 8-8 tie.

MEN'S TENNIS
Johns Hopkins is #1 seed, Swarthmore is IN.
Franklin & Marshall is IN with a win vs. either Muhlenberg or Swarthmore
F&M wins 6-3/5-4 ties with Haverford and Washington
Washington wins 6-3/5-4 ties with Haverford
a 5-4 tie among Dickinson, F&M, Haverford and Washington --> Dickinson, F&M
a 5-4 tie among Dickinson, Haverford and Washington --> depends on final score of Dickinson-Washington match.
Individual matches won in dual-meets between tied teams:
--> Washington 6, Haverford 3
--> Haverford 5, Dickinson 4
--> TOTAL: Haverford 8, Washington 6, Dickinson 4.
--> A Dickinson 5-4 win means Washington is IN. A Dickinson win of 6-3 or greater gives spot to Devils.

WOMEN'S TENNIS
Johns Hopkins is #1 seed, Swarthmore is #2 seed
Dickinson is IN with a win vs. Washington. Haverford is IN and Washington OUT.
Washington is IN with wins vs. Dickinson and McDaniel.
a 7-3 tie between Dickinson and Haverford --> Dickinson
a 7-3 tie between Haverford and Washington --> Haverford
a 7-3 tie among Dickinson, Haverford and Washington --> Washington, Dickinson

Five-Star Matchups

There is less than a week remaining in the spring regular season and a number of playoff spots are up for grabs. One of the Conference's top rivalries is renewed this evening in Gettysburg, as two of Division's III best women's lacrosse programs square off for the top seed and home field for next weekend's championship tournament.

Franklin & Marshall at Gettysburg (Women's Lacrosse)
It is the 47th meeting between the Diplomats (7-0 CC, 11-1) and the Bullets (7-0, 13-2) in a series that dates to 1975. F&M holds a 24-21-1 lead after recording seven straight victories. Gettysburg's last win was an 8-6 triumph at home in the 2006 CC title game. The Diplomats are ranked fourth in the country, while the Bullets are slotted at No. 7. It is the ninth consecutive time that the two teams have met while residing in the top 10. F&M looks to the one-two combo of Blake Hargest (35-30-65) and Meredith Lussier (39-16-55), while Gettysburg counters with Nina Emala (44-16-60) and Hollis Stahl (41-13-54). The senior goalkeepers could be the difference-makers, as the Diplomats' Lidia Sanza has a 6.22 goals-against average and the Bullets' Kristen Krammer has a 7.59 GAA.

McDaniel at Dickinson (Women's Lacrosse)
The Green Terror (3-4, 9-5) and the Red Devils (3-4, 6-5) meet in what could be an elimination game for the playoff hopes of the losing squad. Three spots remain in the five-team field with Ursinus (5-2) and Haverford (4-3) in front and Muhlenberg (3-4) still in the hunt. Dickinson has won four of the last five meetings, including a 19-11 triumph in the 2009 CC first round game. The Devils will have to find a way to slow down the Terror's Brittany Baer, who leads the CC with 50 goals.

Haverford at Swarthmore (Women's Tennis)
The Fords (7-1, 8-5) and the Garnet (7-1, 9-4) meet in a critical match as both teams hope to keep pace with Johns Hopkins for the top seed in next weekend's tournament. Swarthmore's Rachel Wallwork has won 23 straight CC singles matches and puts that streak on the line against Haverford's Katie Wettick at No. 1.

Five-Star Matchups

It's the penultimate weekend for spring sports in the Conference and the next-to-last Saturday of Centennial play features numerous key matchups.

Franklin & Marshall at Swarthmore (Baseball)
With five teams competing for three remaining playoff spots, the chase is on over the next nine days. The Diplomats (7-6, 12-14-1) have reached the Centennial tournament every year since 2004, while the Garnet (8-5, 16-11) is looking to reach the Conference final four for the first time. F&M has won 11 of the last 12 games with Swarthmore, but the Garnet's lone win was a 3-1 triumph during the Diplomats' last twinbill visit to Clothier Field in 2008.

Ursinus at Dickinson (Men's Lacrosse)
The fifth-ranked Red Devils (5-1, 12-1) look to wrap up a playoff berth against the Bears (3-3, 8-3). Dickinson has won its five Centennial games by a total of nine goals, while Ursinus' three CC losses have been by a combined four goals. In fact, 13 of the 28 Conference games have been decided by a single goal this season. The Devils' Chris Dodson leads the Centennial with 25 assists, while the Bears' Eric Farris is fourth in goals per game (2.27).

McDaniel at Haverford (Men's Lacrosse)
The Green Terror (4-2, 7-5) also looks to secure a playoff berth for the second straight season ... and looks for a little revenge when it visits the Main Line to take on the Fords (3-3, 7-5). Haverford won a pair of one-goal overtime decisions last year, including a 9-8 triumph in the CC semifinals at Swan Field. McDaniel A D.J. Rickels leads the Centennial with 37 goals, while Haverford's Max Hjelm is second with 29.

Dickinson at Ursinus (Women's Lacrosse)
The final three playoff spots are up for grabs on the women's lax side and this one will go a long way in determining who's in, and who's out. The Red Devils (3-3, 6-4) trail the Bears (4-2, 9-4) and Haverford by a game in the CC standings, while Ursinus can put some room between itself and the rest of the contenders with a win. UC's Lindsay Urban and Emily Diehl have combined for 54 goals on the season, but will be tested by Dickinson GK Jessie Clark and her 52.0 save percentage.

Haverford at McDaniel (Women's Lacrosse)
Three teams in the Conference have 10 or more wins. Two are obvious and ranked in the national top 10. The other ... Haverford (4-2, 11-2). The Fords look to move one step closer to their first-ever Centennial playoff berth when they visit the Green Terror (2-4, 8-5). Two of the CC's top goal scorers - McDaniel's Brittany Baer (44) and Haverford's Josie Ferri (38) - will lead their offenses.

Ursinus at Gettysburg (Softball)
The top two teams in the Conference square off in a twinbill that could decide the top seed for the Centennial tournament. The Bears (10-0, 20-2) can lock up homefield for the final four with a sweep and a loss by either Dickinson or Haverford. The Bullets (8-4, 16-11-1) can keep their #1 seed hopes alive by taking two. The game within the game will feature the Conference's top pitcher - Ursinus' Lauren Davis-Macedonia (15-1, 164k 109.2ip) and Gettysburg's Megan Lott (.433-3hr-17rbi).

Swarthmore at Dickinson (Women's Tennis)
The Garnet (6-1, 8-4) and the Red Devils (5-1, 9-4) meet in an important match in the quest for tournament seeding. All eyes will be on Swarthmore's Rachel Wallwork at #1 singles as she goes for her 24th consecutive Centennial singles win.

Five-Star Matchups

Johns Hopkins at Washington (Baseball)
Something has to give today in Chestertown as the Conference's top offense faces the Centennial's second-best pitching staff. Johns Hopkins (12-0 CC, 25-3) is hitting .397 as a team and is averaging over 12 runs per game. Washington (7-5, 12-10) is second in team ERA (5.18), led by Shane Mattingly who is 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA.

Haverford at Ursinus (Softball)
Two of the final four teams in the 2009 Centennial tournament square off in Collegeville. The Bears (10-0, 20-2) have a four-game lead over the Fords (6-4, 13-11) and Gettysburg. Ursinus leads the CC in batting average (.338), team ERA (0.55) and fielding (.972). Haverford is third among Centennial teams with a 2.65 ERA.

Johns Hopkins at Swarthmore (Women's Tennis)
The last two CC unbeatens meet today along Crum Creek in a match that should determine the top seed for the upcoming Centennial team championship. The Blue Jays (5-0, 8-7) look to Carolyn Warren and Anita Bhamidipati at #1-3. The Garnet (6-0, 8-3) are led by #1 Rachel Wallwork who has won 22 consecutive CC matches.