WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Following the conclusion of the fall regular season, Worcester State has the most points in the first round of the Howard C. Smith Cup standings. The Smith Cup is awarded annually to the member institution which compiles the most points based on the placement of each of its programs competing in the 15 league championship sports.

 

The Smith Cup is named in honor of former Massachusetts State College Trustee Howard C. Smith, who in 1970, urged the athletic directors of the eight State institutions to hold a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of forming an intercollegiate conference. In June of 1971, Smith’s dream became a reality as an affirmative agreement was reached and the MASCAC was created.

 

Worcester State grabs the top spot at the end of the fall season with 63.67 points (83.77 percent) out of a possible 76 points. The Lancers finished first in women’s cross country and volleyball for the first time in school history while tying for first in field hockey and women’s soccer. They also finished tied for second in men’s soccer and second in football.

 

Sitting in second with 49.5 points (65.13 percent) out of 76 possible points is Westfield State. The Owls ended the fall regular season tied for first in women’s soccer, tied for second in volleyball and second in women’s cross country while also grabbing third place in men’s cross country and tied for third in football.

 

Up next in third is Framingham State with 42.67 points (56.14 percent) out of 76 possible points. The Rams were first in football, tied for second in both men’s soccer and volleyball and fourth in women’s cross country. Bridgewater State grabs the fifth spot with 39 points (51.32 percent) out of 76 possible points. The Bears tied for first in women’s soccer, second in men’s cross country and third in women’s cross country.

 

Grabbing the fifth slot is Salem State with 24 points (50 percent) out of 48 available points. The Vikings were first at the end of the regular season in men’s soccer, fourth in women’s soccer and tied for fifth in both field hockey and volleyball. Fitchburg State earned 33 points (43.42 percent) out of 76 possible points. The Falcons finished atop the men’s cross country standings, tied for first in field hockey and tied for third in football. 

 

Closing out the fall standings are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Buccaneers collected 20.67 points (32.29 percent) out of 64 possible points. The team finished tied for second in men’s soccer, fifth in men’s cross country and tied for fifth in football. The Trailblazers netted 16.5 points (31.73 percent) out of 52 possible points and finished fourth  in volleyball, tied for fifth in women’s soccer and sixth in both men’s and women’s cross country.