LSC Roundup 9-30

Lone Star Conference Volleyball weekly release
Non-conference play on tap for this week
West Texas A&M and Midwestern State each remain perfect in Lone Star Conference action. The Lady Buffs have recorded sweeps in each of its four conference matches, while the Mustangs have needed five sets in two of its LSC victories.
For the second straight week, six of the 13 conference matches played last week were decided in three sets, with four going four frames and three needing the fifth set.
LSC teams take a break from conference play this week, with non-conference action on tap including several tournaments.

LSC Volleyball Players of the Week
OFFENSIVE
Laura Prinsen, West Texas A&M, Sr., Rightside Hitter, Spring, Texas/Klein Collins HS
Prinsen led the Lady Buffs in kills last week in sweeps of Texas A&M-Commerce and Texas Woman’s. She had 23 kills in 53 swings for a hitting percentage of .340 and an average of 3.83 kills per set. She also tallied two service aces and 17 digs. Against Texas Woman’s, Prinsen recorded her sixth double-double performance with 14 kills and 10 digs. Prinsen leads the team in total kills this season with 208, averaging 3.25 kills per set.

Nikita Abbott, Cameron, So., Outside Hitter, Trinidad & Tobago/Tunapuna Gov’t.
Abbott had a phenomenal week for the Black and Gold this past week. She played a total of 16 sets and contributed with 68 kills with an average of 4.25 kills per set. In addition to her amazing offensive skills, Abbott recorded 7 digs and 5 blocks which sums up to an astonishing 73 points for the week. Her standout match was during a 3-1 win over Southeastern when she had a match-high of 26 kills which is only four away from the school record. Abbott attacked the net a match-high 53 times with only 6 errors for an impressive .377 attack percentage.

DEFENSIVE
Shawna Hines, Abilene Christian, Jr., Middle Blocker, Aurora, Colo./Rangeview HS Hines led ACU to a win last week in its only match, a 3-0 rout of LSC rival Angelo State. ... Hines -- one of the top defensive players in the LSC and NCAA Division II volleyball -- finished with seven total blocks against the Rambelles. ... Hines also tied for the team lead with 11 kills and hit .529 in the victory.

Kiara Jordan, Midwestern State, So., Libero, Gilmer, Texas/Gilmer HS
Jordan averaged 5.08 digs per set while helping Midwestern State to a pair of Lone Star Conference wins of Southeastern Oklahoma State and East Central. The sophomore libero from Gilmer had a career-high 32 digs in a five-set win over East Central on Saturday to culminate a stellar as she had 14 digs against Lubbock Christian on Tuesday and 19 against Southeastern Oklahoma on Thursday as the Mustangs rolled out to an unlikely 3-0 start in conference play. Jordan has notched 10-or-more digs in her in each of her last five matches and in 17 of 18 this season including six with 20-or-more and two performances of 30-or-more digs.

SETTER
Katie Rickwartz, West Texas A&M, Sr., Setter, Canyon, Texas/Canyon HS
Rickwartz set two solid matches in the Lady Buffs’ two sweeps last week of Texas A&M-Commerce and Texas Woman’s. She registered a combined 79 assists to average 13.1 assists per set. She led the team to a hitting percentage of .296 against TWU and .265 against Commerce to combine at .281 in the two matches. She also contributed two kills, three service aces, 10 digs, and three blocks. Rickwartz’ season total for assists is currently 703. She boasts a career total of 4,174 assists and is currently second in the WT record books.

Meaghan Wedberg, Central Oklahoma, Sr., Setter, Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus HS
Wedberg helped pave the way for a pair of LSC wins that enabled UCO to even its league record at 2-2, dishing out 81 assists to go along with 12 digs and four blocks. The senior had 31 assists in a three-set sweep of Tarleton State, then handed out a season-high 50 two days later in a four-set win over Texas A&M-Kingsville while adding seven digs and three blocks. Wedberg ranks second in career assists at UCO with 4,670.
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Men's Soccer - NSCAA/adidas regional rankings

1. Truman State (#10 nationally)
2. West Texas A&M (#16)
3. Midwestern State (#20)
4. Northeastern State
5. Eastern New Mexico
6. Texas A&M-International

Women's Soccer - NSCAA/adidas regional rankings

1. Midwestern State (#10 nationally)
2. St. Edwards (#12)
3. Incarnate Word (#19)
4. West Texas A&M (RV)
5. Central Oklahoma
6. Truman
7. Northwest Missouri
8. Nebraska-Omaha
9. Southwest Baptist
10. Angelo State

Cross Country - USTFCCCA Regional Rankings

1. Missouri Southern
2. Dallas Baptist
3. Pittsburg State
4. Truman State
5. Midwestern State
6. Central Missouri
7. Fort Hays State
8. Northwest Missouri
9. West Texas A&M
10. Southwest Baptist

Midterm Report for LSC Men’s Cross Country

Special Contributor: Don Garrett

We are about half-way through season for the harriers. I wanted to wait until each of the teams had run in 2-3 meets before taking another look at how things are shaping up. On the men’s side, the big story is how much better ENMU appears to be this season. They were 7th in 2008, but they have a legit chance to move into the top 4, based on the first half of the season.

On each team, I have put the original prediction I made before the first meet and then the revised prediction, based on early reports:

ACU – picked to win it all and I will stick with that prediction

The Wildcats got beat in the first meet of the year – a dual meet with 14th ranked Alaska-Anchorage, running in Alaska. However, looking at the results, they did not take 5 of their potential top 7. At the Pre-National meet this past weekend in Indiana, they still left 2-3 runners at home and finished 4th in a strong field. Two of their Kenyans have run (Amos Sang and Cleophas Tanui), but defending LSC champ Daniel Maina has yet to make an appearance. Plus they are waiting for their 2 new internationals (Peters from Wales and Rybicki from France) to gain eligibility. The good news for the Wildcats is that freshman Colby Delbene, from Pawling, NY, finished 11th in a super field in Indiana and sophomore Jake Schofield has improved dramatically.

TARLETON – picked 2nd and I will stay with that prediction as well

The Texans have only run 1 meet thus far, so it is hard to get a good fix on them. Both Jared McNeil and Westyn Rosiles looked good in that first meet and my prediction that Gerzain Valenzuela would improve drastically this season is proving to be right on target. However we have not yet seen McMurry transfer Steve Cantwell or returner Kendall Styles this year. TSU needs someone to step up in that 4th and 5th spot to contend with ACU and to even hang onto that runner-up sport.

TEXAS A&M COMMERCE – picked 3rd and will stay there for now

Team leader Tyler Tindell is running very well. Gerardo Delafuente has also run pretty well at the first two meets. The biggest surprise to me for the Lions has been a rapid ascendance of Brandon Womack (43rd in 2008) as a potential top-20 conference runner. And, freshman Nathan Whitel, from Wills Point, is showing some good potential. However, the big drawback for TAMU-C thus far is that Robert Reed (8th in 2008) has not run at all. TAMU-C will have a hard time hanging onto 3rd without Reed.

EAST CENTRAL – picked for 4th and I will leave them there, but they could easily move as high as 2nd

ECU has reloaded well after losing 2 of their top 4 kids from 2008. Jimmy Sutrick is running well in their #1 spot, but the real addition has been Joel Dutton, who was injured in 2008, but who finished 19th in the LSC meet in 2007. His return has been huge for the Tigers. Transfer Chase McMichael, from Caddo HS and Missouri Valley College (a NAIA school) is running well. But, where is Daniel Kiptoo? He has not run this year, though still listed on the roster. They need him. Also, the UTA transfer, Armando Saldivar, is running well at 2 of their meets, but he is running unattached. Not sure if he is waiting to eligibility clearance or if he will have to wait all school year. Saldivar would help this team immensely.

EASTERN NEW MEXICO – I picked them 8th, but this is like a whole new team and I have moved them up to 5th

Wow, what a difference a year can make. The Greyhounds #1 runner from 2008 is running about #5 to #7 on this year’s team and that is a SERIOUS upgrade. Richard Kogo is running #1 – a kid who ran on the track in 2009 (6th LSC 1500), but did not run XC in 2008 for them. Freshman Jacob Lozano, from Hobbs (6th NM 5A XC in 2008) and Patrick Lueras, from Los Lunas (13th NM 5A XC in 2008) are running extremely well. JC transfer Luis Aguirre, a kid from El Paso who ran for El Paso CC and finished 20th at the JC national meet a year ago, is also running well. ENMU is like a whole new team and they should make the biggest move at the conference meet and a move to 5th place may be far too conservative!

ANGELO STATE – picked 5th, but I have now moved them back to 6th

The Rams have looked okay, but they have not run against stiff competition yet. Top three returnees Nate Gonzales, Brian Carroll and Shannon Cunningham seem to be running fine and freshman Isac Valdez, from Forney, looks to be an improvement over their past #4-#5 runners, but there does not appear to be a kid who can really help Angelo move way up.

CAMERON – picked 6th and now moved back to 7th

Still a mystery team. They have gotten a boost for transfers Josh Stewart (TR from ECU) and Julius Korir (TR from Lindenwood). Those 2 have pushed 2008 #1 Mohamed Khelelfa back to the #3 spot. Casey Kreger will also help after redshirting in 2008 due to injury. But, so far, I have not seen a strong #5 from Cameron. AND, I have not seen David Barmasai at all – a former JC national champ in the steeple on the track, he would really make this team contend, but I am not sure if he is still on the team.

WEST TEXAS A&M – picked 7th , but now moved to 8th

They have gotten their butts kicked by ENMU already this year, including once at their home meet, the WT Stampeded. Freshman Joey Villareal has been a nice pickup – 5th at the Region I-4A in 2008 for Canyon Randall. But, this team is very, very young and so far has run like it. I still have not seen any sign of Albert Maina (a Kenyan) or Andrew Sanders (TR from Iowa Western). This team looks to be 1-2 years away.

TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE – picked 9th and will probably stay there

The Javelinas are actually MUCH improved over 2008. Their top runner from 2008, Kiya Dandena, has shown great improvement and their #1 runner from 2007, Daniel Castro, is back with the team and running well. Their #3 guy, Margarito Carona, graduated from high school in 2005 and I don’t know where he has been for the past 4 years. He is runnig decently. However, don’t forget that last year TAMU-K had the 4 bottom kids in the whole LSC race. They should improve over that showing in 2009, but probably not enough to move out of the cellar. However, with the bottom 2 teams in 2008 both making big improvements in 2009, the conference meet should be much more balanced.


Midterm report for LSC Women’s Cross Country

There will be a great deal of movement in the women’s team from the pre-season predictions. Lots of key runners did not return. It looks to me like ALL of the Oklahoma teams are improved over 2008 and several key Texas teams (ACU, WTAMU) have lost lots of ground from past years.

MIDWESTERN – picked 1st and will undoubtedly stay there

The best team in the conference in 2009 by a long shot and that is despite they lost their #1 runner from last year, Katie Stepp, who graduated last may and decided not to return to take her last semester of XC eligbility. MWSU also lost another of their top 5 from 2008 – Brittany Barrington, the former Throckmorton Greyhound. However, Midwestern added the best new recruit of the year, Sydnee Cole, from Butler County JC and she is running lights-out. Returnees Lindsey Pate, Kayla Handrix, and Hassie Sutton are running well, plus 2008 redshirt Julie Bell is running extremely well. Freshmen Cynthia Carrillo and Heather Owens are also solid additions. This team is very deep and should run off and hide from the field at the conference meet.

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA – picked 3rd, but I am moving them up to 2nd

Top 2 runners – Alina Istrate and Evelyn Berko – return and are running well. Angelica Martinez, who was 4th in the OK 6A 3200 in 2008 on the track, is running extremely well as their #3. Freshmen Angel Vick, Cara Cox, and Hannah Pempsell are having the problems you expect from young kids, but generally appear to be conference-competitive. I think UCO and ECU fight it out for 2nd.

EAST CENTRAL – picked 4th, but moving up to 3rd

Speaking of ECU, they are getting good upperclass leadership from Sarah Reihart, but I have not seen any sign of Sylvia Barkechir, who was 14th at the 2008 conference meet. They are also getting good production from freshmen Hayley Jennings, from Broken Arrow; Andrea McKinney, from Sand Springs, and Miranda Claxton, from right there in Ada. If Barkechir returns to run by conference time, this team could contend for 2nd.

SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA – picked 7th, but I am moving them up to 4th

Big improvement, led by freshman Chelsey Dillon (from Mabank, TX) who has already gotten runner of the week this year. She looks like the real deal. Also, excellent production from freshman Sarah Hix, from Tahlequah – as the 2 freshmen have run 1-2 for SWOSU at each meet. Returnees Patty Murphy and Melissa Banks are also running well. If freshman Tatum Hofman, from Altus, continues to run well, this team could even fight for 2nd place.

ANGELO STATE – picked 5th and staying at that spot

Angelo really needs returnees Brittney Heath and Paige Massengill to pick up the pace – Heath has run reasonably well, but they need both of these women to improve over 2008. Freshman Emeline Crutcher, from tiny Wellman-Union, has been their best runner to date, running against rather weak competition in 2 meets. The Rambelles still need to find solid #4 and #5 runners to stay in that 5th spot, but I am keeping them there for the time being.

EASTERN NEW MEXICO – originally picked 9th, but moving up to 6th

Like the ENMU men, the Zias are MUCH better than in 2008, helped by their #1 runner, Nicky Reid, who ran on the track in 2009(7th LSC 800), but did not run XC last fall. Jerri Martin is again running well and the Zias have help from JC transfer Samantha Draper. They won the WT Stampede and seem to be capable of moving up to close to the midway point of the conference.

WEST TEXAS A&M – picked 2nd, I see a BIG SLIDE to 7th

On paper in the preseason, WTAMU looked very solid, returning Jennifer Cherono (3rd in 2008), Kristi Hartsfield (11th in 2008) and Becca Rapstine (28th in 2008). None of these 3 women are on the roster any longer! Now, only one of their top 5 return, Allie Reyna, and she has run in only meet thus far. They got whipped at their home meet by ENMU. Freshmen Nicole Hudgins, from Kaufman, and Brieann Garcia, from Canyon, are running pretty well. Aries Bazaldua, a top recruit from Canyon, led their effort in their first meet, then has not run a time since that meet. Suddenly this team becomes very vulnerable for a big drop in the standings.

ACU – picked 7th, but that might be too generous – moved them to 8th

Painful to see the Wildcats struggling so mightily. They went to Alaska-Anchorage and got pounded in a dual meet. Then they ran behind Midwestern, Incarnate Work, East Central, Southwest Oklahoma and even D-III McMurry (they aren’t even the best team in Abilene anymore) at the Missouri Southern Stampede. Lead runner, Chloe Susset from France, has run okay, but does not appear to be a true #1 yet. Their next 4 kids are all walkon types. Right now, it appears that #8 in the rankings might be overly generous.

TARLETON STATE – picked 8th and moved to 9th

Can’t tell much because they have not run a single XC meet yet. I guess they will run a 2-3 meet season. They could be much better than 9th, but no way to tell until they get out there and run in competition.

TAMU-COMMERCE – picked 10th and staying there

The Lions are getting excellent production from one of their unheralded freshmen, Maci Bradford, and solid efforts from their returning #1 runner, Kate Donovan (although Bradford has beaten Donovan in both meets this year). Still a big drop from Donovan and Bradford to the next 3-4 runners.

TAMU-KINGSVILLE – picked 11th and staying there

Much better than 2008, mostly because their #1 from 2008 (Jessica Martinez) and #1 from 2007 (Erica Alvarado, who finished 4th in the LSC 1500 and 5th in the 5K in 2009) are both running this year. Like the men’s team, the Javs are getting help from a senior on the roster who has not run for TAMUK in the past, in this case Xochitl Gomez, who did finish 5th in the LSC 800 in 2009. Definitely improved team, but not enough to move into the top half at the conference meet.

SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA – picked 12th and will stay there

This doesn’t mean that SEO is not much better than in 2008, but they undoubtedly are. Freshman Shayna McCormick, from Garland Naaman Forest, is running well as their #1 runner. Their returnees are running better than in 2008. Still a long ways to go to move into a top 6 school at conference, but this appears to be first step toward legitimacy.


The next few weeks will see some big meets that will sort out the pretenders from the contenders, both men and women – particularly the Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater and the Chile Pepper Run in Fayetteville. I will try to post one last wrapup prior to conference.

Week 6 Podcast is Available!

THIS WEEK'S LSC SCOOPCAST: Game Recaps, Game Previews, Guest Picker "Kmill" joins the Scoopcast, Blake releases his grip on Portales, NM only to go after Ada, OK, Find out about Brock's muddy Field Goal, and Blake's bloody nipples...I can't explain it. Just listen. It will all make sense soon enough.

Click on "Scoopcast/Radio" over on the right side bar and enjoy!

LSC Roundup 9-29

D2Football.com Poll

1 Grand Valley (1 LW) 5-0
2 Abilene Christian (2) 5-0
3 North Alabama (3) 5-0
4 Central Washington (4) 5-0
5 Bloomsburg (5) 5-0
6 Northwest Missouri (6) 4-1
7 Texas A&M-Kingsville (7) 5-0
8 Minnesota State (8) 5-0
9 Minnesota-Duluth (9) 4-1
10 Missouri Western (15) 5-0
11 Tarleton State (14) 5-0
12 Albany State (17) 4-0
13 Saginaw Valley (18) 4-1
14 Ouachita Baptist (NR) 4-0
15 Wayne State (Ne) (20) 4-1
16 Charleston (25) 5-0
17 Tuskegee (22) 4-1
18 Nebraska-Kearney (24) 4-1
19 Washburn (NR) 4-1
20 Delta State (10) 2-2
21 Central Missouri (13) 4-1
22 Edinboro (NR) 4-1
23 Catawba (11) 3-1
24 Hillsdale (NR) 4-1
25 Midwestern State (21) 4-1

'Tagalong' becomes star with Wildcats
Edmund Gates figured his days as a collegiate athlete were over. Branded a troublemaker after two seasons on the Tyler Junior College basketball team, the Vernon graduate found himself out of sports, out of school and out of hope. Georgia Tech and Hawaii Pacific offfered to give Gates tryouts, but neither would pay for his airfare. Unable to afford the travel costs, Gates went back to Vernon apparently out of options.

“I was back in Vernon doing some bad things,” Gates said. “I thought it was over.”

Then in 2007, when Gates’ cousin, Bernard Scott, transferred from Blinn College to play for the Abilene Christian footballl team, Gates decided he would tag along and try out for a spot on the Wildcats’ basketball roster.

“I had never even heard of Abilene Christian,” Gates said.

Javelinas move up to 9th in Div. II coaches' poll
KINGSVILLE — Despite being pushed to overtime by unranked West Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Kingsville moved up on spot to No. 9 in the latest American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll released Monday.

The undefeated Javelinas moved up thanks to former ninth-ranked Delta State’s loss to Ouachita Baptist (Ark.). The bad news for Texas A&M-Kingsville is that their most impressive win to date has been the season-opening victory over Delta State, which is now 2-2 and holding onto the 25th spot in the Top 25 poll.

The good news for the Javelinas is that they can put another impressive victory on the board this Saturday night when they host the new 11th-ranked team in the poll, Tarleton State. Both teams are 5-0, as is Abilene Christian, which is the highest ranked team in the Lone Star Conference at No. 2.

Mustangs slip, but maintain D-II ranking at No. 23
Midwestern State slipped six spots in the American Football Coaches’ Association Division II poll released, but will spend a third week nationally ranked at No. 23. Angelo State hit a late field goal on Saturday to beat MSU, 20-17.

The Mustangs (4-1) play host to West Texas A&M on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be televised on KFDX-3.

Tigers foiled
TAHLEQUAH — East Central University had a nice defensive effort, including a school-record tying four interceptions from Alex Woodley, but it wasn’t enough as Northeastern State knocked off the youthful Tigers 17-7 Saturday in the Lone Star Conference North football opener for both teams at Doc Wadley Stadium.

La’Ron Elmer rushed for 105 yards on 15 carries and scored both RiverHawk touchdowns as NSU improved to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the LSC North, while ECU, which committed four turnovers on the day (two interceptions and two lost fumbles), dropped to 0-5 and 0-1.

LSC Weekly Football Release
All 13 Lone Star Conference teams are in action during week 6 with five divisional, one crossover and one non-conference game scheduled. Tarleton State plays at Texas A&M-Kingsville in a battle of unbeaten teams.

Divisional play began last week with Northeastern State and Texas A&M-Commerce posting wins in the North Division, while Abilene Christian, TAMUK and Angelo State prevailed in the South. Tarleton State won the only crossover game to improve the South's record to 17-2 in crossover contests.

Three teams - ACU, Tarleton and TAMUK - remain perfect with 5-0 records in 2009.

Players of the Week
NORTH OFFENSIVE
Taylor Fore, Texas A&M-Commerce, So., WR, Fort Worth, Texas/Keller Central HS
Caught a career-high two touchdowns including a game winning, 24-yard reception with two seconds remaining to give the Lions' a 27-23 win over UCO. His 19 yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter cut the UCO lead to 17-14. Fore is the second receiver to have two touchdowns in a game in 2009.

NORTH DEFENSIVE
Alex Woodley, East Central, Jr., CB, Mesquite, Texas/Mesquite HS
Woodley tied a school-record with four interceptions to go along with four solo tackles, one of those which led to a yard loss, and a pass breakup in the Tigers' 17-7 loss at Northeastern State on Saturday. Woodley's four pickoffs led to 32 yards in returns. His third interception of the game, led to a 14-yard return to the RiverHawk 1-yard line in which ECU scored its only touchdown of the game on the next play. With Woodley's four interceptions, the Tigers have pilfered just five aerials this season.

NORTH SPECIAL TEAMS
Jerome Hewitt, Southeastern Oklahoma, Sr., KR, Gainesville, Texas/Gainesville HS
Hewitt continued to be a force in the return game, helping Southeastern to a 29-9 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State. He put the Savage Storm on the board with a 76 yard punt return for a touchdown. He returned four punts on the day and amassed 125 yards total, averaging 31.2 yards per return.

SOUTH OFFENSIVE
Reggie Brown, Abilene Christian, Jr., RB, Houston, Texas/Humble HS
Brown ran for 235 yards and three touchdowns Saturday night in ACU's 44-33 win over Eastern New Mexico, becoming only the 12th running back in ACU history to rush for more than 200 yards in a game. ... Brown's 235-yard effort is the sixth-best rushing game in school history. ... Brown and Daryl Richardson combined to rush 17 times for 145 in the fourth quarter alone as ACU rallied for a 44-33 win over the Greyhounds. ... Brown scored all three of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats wore out the ENMU defense in the second half, finishing with 362 rushing yards, the 12th-best single-game performance in ACU history.

SOUTH DEFENSIVE
Pete Parker, Angelo State, Sr., LB, Los Alamos, N.M./Los Alamos HS
Parker anchored a Ram defense that collected a season-high six sacks and limited Midwestern State, the fifth-best rushing team in the LSC going into the weekend, to just 47 rushing yards (1.3 yards per carry) as Angelo State upset the No. 17-ranked Mustangs, 20-17. Parker had nine tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss. He had two solo sacks for 14 yards as ASU limited Midwestern State, one of the top scoring offenses in the league, just three field goals until the fourth quarter. The Rams currently lead the LSC with 20 sacks through five games.

SOUTH SPECIAL TEAMS
Justin Johnson, Abilene Christian, So., RB, Gilmer, Texas/Gilmer HS
Johnson returned three kickoffs for 270 yards in ACU's 44-33 win over Eastern New Mexico, including a 100-yard kickoff return for touchdown in the third quarter that cut the Greyhounds' lead to 20-16. ... Johnson's 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter made him the third player in ACU football to return a kickoff 100 yard for a score, joining Steve Parker (vs. Angelo State, 1982) and John Hooper (vs. then-East Texas State, 1994). ... Johnson's return is the Wildcats' first kickoff return for a touchdown since Danieal Manning returned a kickoff 78 yards for a score against Central Oklahoma on Sept. 3, 2005.

AFCA Coaches' Poll 9-28

After five weeks of action, the top teams are settling into their spots as the Top 8 remained unchanged for the second straight week in the AFCA Division II Coaches' Top 25 Poll. Grand Valley State still holds down No. 1 with 24 first place votes. The Lakers downed Michigan Tech 55-7, to extend their record to 5-0. Abilene Christian, North Alabama, Bloomsburg, and Central Washington round out the Top 5. There are two Top 25 match-ups this coming weekend as No. 6 Northwest Missouri State travels to No. 12 Missouri Western State, while No. 9 Texas A&M-Kingsville plays host to No. 11 Tarleton State. Three new teams enter the poll this week with Washburn coming in at No. 17, Wayne State (MI) entering at No. 22 and Hillsdale jumping in at No. 24.

1. Grand Valley State (1 LW) (5-0)
2. Abilene Christian (2) (5-0)
3. North Alabama (3) (5-0)
4. Bloomsburg (4) (5-0)
5. Central Washington (5) (5-0)
6. Northwest Missouri State (6) (4-1)
7. Minnesota State-Mankato (7) (5-0)
8. Minnesota-Duluth(8) (4-1)
9. Texas A&M-Kingsville (10) (5-0)
10. Albany State (12) (4-0)
11. Tarleton State (13) (5-0)
12. Missouri Western State (18) (5-0)
13. Tuskegee (16) (4-1)
14. Ouachita Baptist (21) (4-0)
15. Charleston (20) (5-0)
16. Saginaw Valley State (19) (4-1)
17. Washburn (RV) (4-1)
18. Wayne State (NE) (22) (4-1)
19. Edinboro (24) (4-1)
20. Central Missouri (12) (4-1)
21. Catawba (13) (3-1)
22. Wayne State (MI) (RV) (4-1)
23. Midwestern State (17) (4-1)
24. Hillsdale (RV) (4-1)
25. Delta State (9) (2-2)

Dropped Out
Ashland (#15), Pittsburg State (#23), Winona State (#25)

Others Receiving Votes
Nebraska-Kearney, Augustana, North Carolina-Pembroke, Angelo State, Bentley, California (PA), Ashland, Valdosta State, Wingate, Carson-Newman, Shippensburg, West Liberty State, Findlay, Bemidji State, Fort Hays State, Bowie State, Colorado School of Mines, Brevard, Mars Hill, Shaw, Winona State

LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week 5 Superlatives

1. Abilene Christian (1) - tough challenge from Eastern New Mexico
2. Texas A&M-Kingsville (2) - overcame 5 turnovers to end 4 game skid vs. West Texas A&M.
3. Tarleton State (3) - no challenge from Bulldogs to get ready for trip to Kingsville.
4. Angelo State (4) - converting more non-believers by the week.
5. Midwestern State (5) - two 3 and outs after tying game.
6. Southeastern Oklahoma (6) - beat NAIA Northwestern Oklahoma as expected.
7. Eastern New Mexico (9) - had ACU on the ropes in the third quarter.
8. Texas A&M-Commerce (10) - Got an early upper leg on LSC North race.
9. Central Oklahoma (7) - No 7 game winning streak this year.
10. West Texas A&M (8) - Could not pull of the upset despite 5 turnovers.
11. Northeastern State (11) - got a very much needed win. Will it lead to bigger things?
12. East Central (12) - kept it respectable.
13. Southwestern Oklahoma (13) - Loooooooooooooong season continues.

Top Team Performance - Tarleton State
The score says it all, 66-3. Not only did the offense gain 453 yards and score 6 TDs, the defense allowed just 184 yards, forced 5 turnovers and scored 3 TDs themselves.


Top Team Offensive Performance - Abilene Christian
The Wildcats rushed for 362 yards and passed for 227 to outscore Eastern New Mexico 44-33.


Top Team Defensive Performance - Angelo State
The Rams held nationally ranked Midwestern State to 27 points below their season average, and forced the Mustangs into 2 three and outs with the game tied late in the fourth quarter. Angelo State also sacked Zack Eskridge 6 times in the game.


Top Offensive Performance - Reggie Brown, Abilene Christian
Brown rushed for 253 yards and 3 TDs to lead the ACU offense in their 44-33 win over Eastern New Mexico

Top Defensive Performance - Edward Cantrell, Angelo State
Cantrell had 11 tackles, including 2 for losses and a sack, as the Rams slowed down the Midwestern State offense, and handed the Mustangs their first loss of the year.

Top Special Teams Performance - Justin Johnson, Abilene Christian
For the second week in a row, ACU got a special teams TD. This week, Justin Johnson returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD, grabbing the momentum from Eastern New Mexico, who had just returned an INT for a TD and taking a 20-9 lead over #2 ACU.

LSC Roundup 9-28

Arlington grad V'Keon Lacey finds a fit a Angelo State
V’Keon Lacey’s journey through college football has at times been a long, wandering voyage full of obstacles. But he’s found a change of fortune, a new home and what appears to be a breakthrough season at Angelo State.

The junior transfer’s confidence in his ability never wavered, and he’s displaying it as the Rams’ leading receiver (30 catches, 428 yards and three touchdowns) during the team’s surprising 3-1 start. It’s all the more impressive when you consider that Lacey, frustrated by his lack of progress, almost quit the game two years ago after bad experience at Southwestern Oklahoma State.

"I was on the verge of giving up football," said Lacey, a 6-foot-4, 205-pounder who graduated from Arlington High School. "I was pretty close. I was doing all this work and I was seeing zero results. Nothing. I wasn’t getting the ball. And they [coaches at Southwestern] were like, 'We see you being a tight end in our program,’ or 'You’re not fast enough.’"

After weeks of soul-searching and longs talks with his mother and Scott Peach, his high school coach, Lacey decided to "follow my heart and go somewhere else." That somewhere else was Cisco College.

"I felt it was life-changing," said Lacey of his one year at Cisco. "It changed my whole outlook in playing ball."

WT confident of turnaround
While the West Texas A&M offense has struggled to get into a rhythm this season, the defense has put together 2½ ball-stuffing performances.

Langston edges Incarnate Word
Incarnate Word was one quarter from a landmark victory before succumbing to Langston's comeback for a 17-14 win in Langston, Okla., on Saturday.

No. 12 MSU women fight to 0-0 draw
Fighting a strong Incarnate Word side to a 0-0 draw just might have been the perfect result for the 12th-ranked Mustangs

From the school websites...
Wildcats cruise past Rambelles
'Belles stumble at ACU
Aggies get back on track with LSC win
Tigers claw past Aggies in five
UCO Slips Past Javelinas
Bronchos Stomp Tarleton
ECU suffers first LSC volleyball loss
ECU rallies for 3-2 triumph over Cameron
Rhodes Registers Eight Kills, Volleyball Team Falls to Lions
Volleyball: Southeastern Tripped up at CU
Volleyball: Southeastern falls to MSU in Tough Road loss
Volleyball loses to Tarleton
Volleyball Beats Javelinas
Volleyball wins at Southwestern Oklahoma
TexAnns fall to 1-2 in LSC play after falling to UCO
Volleyball Returns to Winning Ways with Straight-Set Win Over Eastern New Mexico
Lions See Winning Streak End at 10 in Front of School Record Crowd
Volleyball Drops Fourth Straight
TWU volleyball falls to #7 West Texas A&M, 3-0
Pioneers defeat Eastern New Mexico in four sets
W. Volleyball. Lady Buffs Sweep Texas Woman's to Remain Undefeated in Conference Play
W. Volleyball. Lady Buffs Break Texas A&M-Commerce 10-game Win Streak in Three Sets

Stirling Lifts Wildcats in OT
Wildcats Win Again In OT
Soccer drops LSC opener
Walker On By
Shutout Streak Continues
Santos Scores Two in Greyhound Soccer Win over Adams State
Bustos and Cardenas Propel Zia Soccer Past #6 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs
Bussen Records First Shutout of Career in 2-0 Win over Mustangs
M. Soccer: Game Day: Mustangs go for sixth-straight shutout against TAMUI
W. Soccer: Game Day: Mustangs on a roll, face TAMUI Friday afternoon in Laredo
Pioneers fall on the road to TCU, 4-0
M. Soccer. Buffs Drop St. Mary's, 5-0
W. Soccer. West Texas Falls to Eastern New Mexico
M. Soccer. #22-Buffs Start Late Scoring Drive to Shutout #16-Incarnate Word, 2-0

ACU runs to 4th-place finish
Dandena, Alvarado Lead Javs

ACU duo wins ITA regional title
Strong showing for CU at ITA's
Shviadok Wins Two In Regional
RiverHawks Runners-Up at ITA
Jaskova wins in third round at ITA Central Regionals, falls in quarterfinals

LSC Roundup 9-27

LSC Football Recap - Saturday, September 26

Javelinas knock off Buffs in overtime
CANYON — The Texas A&M-Kingsville football team took its perfect record to West Texas A&M on Saturday night at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. Playing in their all white jerseys for the first time all season, the No. 7 Javelinas shook the monkey off their backs in defeating the Buffalos for the first time since 2004 by a score of 23-17 in overtime.

“We just kept battling,” said Javelina head coach Bo Atterberry. “We had a bunch of emotional highs and lows, but it’s great to come out on top. This is first time anybody on our team has beaten West Texas.”

A furious rally by the Buffalos (1-4, 0-1) in the final seven minutes set up some overtime dramatics. The Javelinas (5-0, 1-0) won the toss and elected to play defense first. “I asked the guys if they were ready to go back out there,” said Atterberry. “I thought it was very important that we won the toss.”

Making the Grade

Offense
C-: The Buffs struggled offensively again. One touchdown was set up by a 44-yard tipped circus catch by wide receiver Stephen Burton. The only consistent drive came on a 13-play, 94-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. The Buffs ran for only 49 yards.

Defense
A: The Buffs allowed 432 yards of offense, but were still impressive defensively. Four picks, a fumble, five sacks and five batted passes paled because of the final score. The Buffs defense tired in the second half. TAMK held the ball for 36 minutes, 33 seconds.

Special teams
B-: Punter Tim Cowdrey punted six times for an average of 34.2 yards.
Kicker James Chandler was 1-of-3, but one of his misses was a desperation 51-yarder in overtime that hit the crossbar.

Overall
C: The WT defense played well enough to win. However, an inconsisent offense plagued any hopes of an upset of the No. 10 team in the country.

No. 2 Wildcats rally to race past Greyhounds
The Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds put a scare into the No. 2 team in the nation Saturday night. But Abilene Christian found a way to avoid the upset and remain undefeated.

The ACU defense made two big plays late in the game, setting up short yardage for two Reggie Brown touchdown runs as the Wildcats rallied to beat the Greyhounds 44-33 in the Lone Star Conference South Division opener for both teams at Shotwell Stadium.

ACU coach Chris Thomsen called it a big gut-check for the defending LSC champions.

“Reggie had a great game, grounded out some tough yards between the tackles,” he said. “Credit our offensive line. They knuckled down and got after it, too. So we’re proud of those guys for coming back and getting a big win.”

Brown, the junior transfer from Blinn College, ran for 235 yards and three touchdowns. All three touchdowns came in the fourth quarter, as ACU (5-0 overall, 3-0 LSC) rallied from a 27-16 second-half deficit.

Angelo State shocks Midwestern in thriller
Field goal gives ASU upset win over MSU
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Ryan Smith’s line-drive 36-yard field goal with 2.9 seconds left gave the Angelo State University football team its biggest win in four years Saturday at San Angelo Stadium.

Smith’s kick broke a 17-17 tie to give the Rams a 20-17 victory over No. 17 Midwestern State in the LSC South Division opener for both teams. It was the Rams’ first win over a ranked opponent and first win against the Mustangs since 2005.

“That was the first game-winning kick I have ever gotten the opportunity to attempt,” Smith said. “I was pretty confident going into it. I knew my guys would block for me and everything like that. I was just thrilled to death that we got that opportunity and I was able to deliver.”

With the win, the Rams improved to 4-1 on the season — surpassing their win total from a year ago — and 1-0 in the LSC South. MSU suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 4-1 and 0-1.

No. 17 MSU falls to Angelo State, 20-17
SAN ANGELO, Texas -- It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done.

After watching his team go for it on fourth down two different times rather than let him attempt a field goal, Angelo State placekicker Ryan Smith got a chance with less than six seconds remaining in Saturday night’s game against No. 17 Midwestern State at San Angelo Stadium.

The line-drive kick never got more than three feet above the crossbar, but it split the uprights with 2.9 seconds left as the Rams came away with the 20-17 win in front of 7,650 fans.

The loss ruined an 11-point comeback by the Mustangs as they suffered their first setback of the season to fall to 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the Lone Star Conference South. Angelo State is 4-1 and 1-0.

“When we tied it up we had the momentum going and I thought we could win it,” MSU head coach Bill Maskill said. “We got a couple stops, but we were unable to move the ball either. We were hoping to keep them out of field-goal range and either get it back and score ourselves or go win it in overtime.

“We stopped them on the run and kept them out of the end zone, but we couldn’t stop the field goal. We got a hand on it and it still went through.”

Football Loses to Tarleton
WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Southwestern Oklahoma State University hopes to set aside what has been a difficult start for its 2009 football season and focus on starting anew when Lone Star Conference North Division play begins next week at home against Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

First, the Bulldogs will have to wipe away any lingering effects that might carry from a 66-3 beating by undefeated Tarleton State University Saturday in Stephenville, Texas. The Bulldogs suffered through bad luck, misfortune and a number of other difficulties in the lopsided setback.

TSU (5-0) scored through the air, on the ground, by fumble and with an interception to keep the Bulldogs winless through five games. Tarleton chewed up 453 yards against the SWOSU defense and had the game won by the first half leading 38-3 at the break.

LSC Football Game Day

LSC Live Scoreboard (with Live Stats)

LSC Scoop Audio and Video Links for each team

Game Notes
Abilene Christian*
Angelo State
Eastern New Mexico
Midwestern State*
Tarleton State*
Texas A&M-Kingsville*
West Texas A&M*
Central Oklahoma
East Central (none)
Northeastern State (none yet)
Southeastern Oklahoma*
Southwestern Oklahoma (none yet)
Texas A&M-Commerce


Javelinas seek to end skid at West Texas A&M
Undefeated Texas A&M-Kingsville has lost four straight to Saturday's foe

KINGSVILLE — The grin on Jeff Edwards’ face told it all. Texas A&M-Kingsville had just beaten its fourth consecutive opponent last week, handling Northeastern (Okla.) State 31-14. The 10th-ranked Javelinas linebacker was reveling in the team’s first 4-0 start in five seasons and the momentum the team has accumulated.

“If we stick to our game plan everything will be just fine, just fine,” Edwards said. And that game plan is? “Win,” Edwards said, the grin widening.

Edwards’ summation perhaps is a case of being simplicity at its finest, but win has been the thread running through Bo Atterberry’s third season as coach. The key now, for A&M-Kingsville faithful, is sustaining and accelerating on what has been accomplished to this point. And it will have to come on the road Saturday night against a West Texas A&M team that has struggled to this stage but also has beaten the Javelinas the last four times the teams have taken the field. That includes last year’s 55-35 spanking at Javelina Stadium.

Building on a Win
Analysis, statistics, strategies and quotes for tonight's Lone Star Conference game between the West Texas A&M Buffaloes (1-3, 0-0 in the LSC South) and the No. 10 Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas (4-0, 0-0) ...

1st and goal: If common opponents mean anything, how much have the Buffs improved since losing to UCO, 24-17, on Sept. 5? TAMUK rolled past UCO, 46-17, on Sept. 12. WT had 81 yards rushing on 25 attempts against UCO. TAMUK starting tailback Connell Davis ran 11 times for 138 of the team's 239 yards against UCO. WT running back Kelvin Thompson racked up 132 yards on 17 carries and three TDs last week against Southwestern Oklahoma State. "Kingsville is a good opponent, but the offense showed (last week) that we can work together," said WT right guard Brad McCarty, currently battling a foot injury.

Coach Speak
West Texas A&M head coach Don Carthel
Since Carthel took over at WT in 2005, the Buffs have a four-game win streak against the Javelinas.

The Buffs had 601 yards of offense in last season's 55-35 win at Kingsville, 545 coming through the air.

TAMUK has not beaten WT at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium since a 38-13 win Oct. 25, 2003.

"Kingsville is comparable defensively to what Central Washington was (CW beat WT 34-10 on Sept. 12). They have been building for this year since Atterberry went in there. They are deep and talented and ready to emerge. It is another tough challenge for us."

ACU preview :'Cats take on passing 'Hounds
What’s riding on this game: No. 2 ACU, the defending Lone Star Conference champion, tries to remain unbeaten overall and in the LSC. A victory would vault ENMU into LSC title contention. The Greyhounds haven’t won the LSC since 1991. It’s the LSC South Division opener for both teams.

Last week: J.J. Harp threw for 602 yards and five TDs in ENMU’s 76-56 win over Texas A&M-Commerce in a LSC crossover game in Blackwater Draw, N.M. ACU scored 28 first-half points and eased past Southeastern Oklahoma 33-14 in a LSC crossover game at Shotwell Stadium. Last year, ACU beat ENMU 56-11 in Blackwater Draw. ACU is 20-11 all-time against ENMU and has won three straight. The Greyhounds’ last victory over ACU was a 33-30 win in 2005.

Lone Star Conference Rams' running duo
Angelo State University head football coach Dale Carr makes no secret that one running back isn’t enough for him.

He would rather have two. Or three. Not only to have a backup in case one gets injured but to have the right style to choose from in certain situations.

Carr went into this season with several running backs, but the two at the top of the depth chart were Dwight Pete and Michael Simpers.

Before the season, Carr said the running back situation was going to be interesting to see.

“They are different types of tailbacks,” Carr said. “Michael is the flashiest, quick-cutting type of guy. Dwight has the potential to be a thicker, bigger back. He is more of a power back but still with the speed and agility to make people miss.

First win guaranteed Saturday
Both East Central and Northeastern searching for victory No. 1 in 2009
ADA — Though mathematically alive, East Central University’s chances for its first winning football season since 2004 realistically died with last week’s 29-9 home loss to Angelo State. On the plus side, the 0-4 Tigers are one of four winless teams remaining in the Lone Star Conference, and the other three — plus 1-2 Incarnate Word (which joins the LSC South next season) — are still on ECU’s schedule.

The Tigers, who started the season with road losses to three ranked teams — Nebraska-Omaha, Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tarleton State — and will close the campaign with home games against LSC North favorites UCO and Southeastern, will play the league’s other have-nots over the next five weeks, beginning with Saturday’s visit to Tahlequah for a 2 p.m. “showdown” with 0-4 Northeastern to open LSC North play.

“You have to look at (the schedule) and ask ‘What games do we deserve to win?’,” ECU coach Tim McCarty said Thursday as he prepared his young squad for its fourth road game in five weeks. “The reality right now is you have to do things to DESERVE to win. We’re both 0-4, and somebody HAS to win,” he added. “I’m not concerned with the teams we’re playing; I’m concerned with the team we’re putting on the field and training them in the things they need to do to win games.”


SE plays second ranked opponent in two weeks
For the first time in more than two years, Justin Pitrucha will be the starter Saturday afternoon when Southeastern Oklahoma State University plays host to Northwestern Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. at Paul Laird Field. After the Storm got down early last week to Abilene Christian, and with sophomore quarterback Dallas McCutcheon struggling, Richards went to Pitrucha and he responded by leading SE on two scoring drives in the second half.

“He manufactured some points. We scored 14 points with him in the second half and he’s going to start this week,” Richards said.

For the second week in a row, the Savage Storm will face a nationally ranked opponent.Last week, the Storm travelled south to Abilene to face the NCAA Division II No. 2 Wildcats and came up on the short end of a 33-14 score to fall to 2-2 on the season. This week, the Rangers come into Durant with an NAIA national ranking of No. 12 in the country.

LSC Roundup 9-25

Lone Star North has some catching up to do
Divisional play begins this week in the Lone Star Conference, and it couldn’t have come sooner for North Division teams.

The LSC North has been dominated by South Division teams, continuing what has become a pattern in recent years. Through the first four weeks of the season, LSC North teams are a combined 2-13 against the South.

UCO (1-3), Southeastern (2-2), NSU (0-3), East Central (0-4) and Southwestern (0-4) face different challenges, both in recruiting and budget, than their Texas counterparts. Despite those differences,Oklahoma coaches believe they can compete.

UCO coach Tracy Hollland inked a class in his first season that was exclusively from Oklahoma. New Southwestern coach Dan Cocannouer also drew heavily from Oklahoma in his class.
But can back yard recruiting get the job done against Texas schools.

WT's home turns 50
Henry Davis has a favorite chair at his Amarillo home - the place where he sits and reads the newspaper. However, his favorite seat is a few miles to the south - at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.

The 92-year-old 1942 West Texas State/A&M grad has had the same seat - basically - at KMS since the facility opened a half-century ago Saturday - Sept. 26, 1959.

The Buffs lost their first game in their new stadium, falling to Arizona, 7-6. Arizona quarterback Jim Geist scored the first touchdown in what was then called New Buffalo Stadium.
Related:1959 WT lineman cites importance of facility
RelatedMemories From Six Decades Of Experiences At Kimbrough

The Stadium Opener: WT vs. Arizona, Sept. 26, 1959
West Texas State vs. Arizona Wildcats

• Coaches: WT - Clark Jarnagin, second season, 1-9. UA - Jim Larue, first season, 0-0.
• On the air: The game was broadcast on KGNC radio with "veteran sportscasters" Warren Hasse and Joe Collins.
• WT stats for the 1959 season: Passing yards - Jim Dawson 297; Rushing yards - Rex Loftis 387; Receiving yards - Fred Hedgecoke 246.
• Average weight of the WT line in 1959: 204 pounds. Heaviest starter: Eddie Meyer, 230 pounds.
• Average weight of WT starting offensive line in 2009: 307 pounds. Heaviest lineman to start Saturday against Texas A&M-Kingsville: Left guard John Ioane, 340 pounds. WT starting quarterback Taylor Harris weighs 220 pounds.
• Other notables on the 1959 WT roster: No. 85, Dory Funk Jr. (later a world famous professional wrestler), and No. 26, Bill Mayfield (father of future WT QB Tod Mayfield, who led the Buffs in passing yards in 1985-86).
• The game: Arizona's 7-6 victory against WT featured a combined 13 fumbles and 23 penalties. "It was getting like a Spanish dance, the red handkerchief was swirling so often," wrote the Amarillo Globe-News' Dick Kranz in his Sept. 27, 1959, game story.

Harp provides Wildcats with sweet sound of leadership
Abilene Christian football coach Chris Thomsen describes senior free safety Tony Harp as the glue that holds the defense together. Harp, though, is a bit uncomfortable with such praise. Yet, when you push him, the leader in him emerges.

“I just try to get all the guys on the same page and make sure everybody’s clicking, rolling on what we’re supposed to be do,” Harp said.

Thomsen said Harp stands out as one of the best leaders the Wildcats have had since he took over the program five years ago.

“Tony’s in that line of leadership with guys like Jerale Badon and Billy Malone and Sam Collins and Cody Stutts — those top one percent-type leadership people,” he said. “Tony Harp is definitely in that group, and he’s provided that for us for a long time. He’s like Johnny Knox in that he’s never had a bad day. This is his fourth year, and the guy never comes to practice down or not going 100 miles per hour. In the football world, that’s pretty rare.”

NSU seeks first win of season against East Central
The Northeastern State football team hopes that a break from a brutal stretch in their schedule will lead to a victory on Saturday when winless East Central comes to Gable Field. The RiverHawks have played their first four games against opponents ranked in the top-25 of Division II.

“We’ve played four ranked opponents and they haven’t,” said RiverHawks coach Kenny Evans. “We’ve had our moments where we’ve looked good, but the bottom line is that us and East Central have not been able to get the job done.”

Former Sam Houston QB Johnson dead at 65
Ten years ago, former NFL quarterback Randy Johnson reportedly contemplated jumping off a bridge in Florida because a lifestyle of alcoholism and homelessness had spiraled so far out of control.

The former Sam Houston High School star went quietly, but no less tragically, last week when he died alone in his cottage in Brevard, N.C. He was 65.

Estranged from his family and afflicted with diabetes and cancer, Johnson was discovered dead by his landlord on Sept. 17.

LSC Women's Soccer Weekly Recap

The two nationally ranked LSC teams both improved their standings this week.

West Texas A&M improved from 7^th last week to 6^th this week. Midwestern moved from 14th to 12th.

The Regional Rankings :

1. West Texas A&M
2. Midwestern
3. St Edwards
4. University of Incarnate Word
5. Northwest Missouri
6. A&M Commerce
7. Nebraska-Omaha
8. Angelo State
9. Southwest Baptist
10. Central Oklahoma

The conference honorees for Player of the week are:

Offensive – Courtney Wilson (ACU) . Wilson scored three goals in a week that had the Wildcats winning two games.

Defensive – Alli Miller (Central OK) Miller guided the Bronchos defense through two shutouts. She should also be given the Ironman Award (if the conference had one) as she has played in every match she has been on the roster, including nine starts this year.

Goalkeeper – Mallory Whitworth (Midwestern) Freshman had 1.5 games between the posts this weekend with no goals scored during that time.

Conference play begins this weekend, with Angelo and ACU playing the inaugural match of the 2009 season on Friday, with other conference members beginning on Saturday or Sunday.

West Texas A&M - Defeated D1 opponent New Mexico State in Las Cruces 2-0 on Saturday. Lindsey McHorse scored in both halves. College of the Southwest was scheduled for Wednesday, but the match was postponed due to illness on Southwest’s team. The Buffs were rewarded for their results with the #6 national ranking going into conference play.

This weekend the Lady Buffs open with rival Eastern New Mexico on Saturday. The game is scheduled for 2pm in Portales.

A&M Commerce - Friday the Lady Lions fell to #25 Incarnate Word 1-2 in San Antonio. The Cardinals drew first blood in the 11^th, Commerce equalized in the 50^th minute, but Incarnate found the net again in the 74^th for the winner. Sunday the Lions were in Austin testing another ranked opponent in St Edwards (#21). The Hilltoppers outshot the Lions 18-1 in the contest and won by a 3-0 score. Commerce played the majority of the game a player down after a red card in the 26^th minute.

Tuesday the 29^th the TWU Pioneers come to Commerce to begin LSC play. The Lady Lions will be looking to get back into the win column – watch out Pioneers !

Central Oklahoma - The Bronchos enjoyed a goal-filled weekend, beginning with their 4-0 win over St Mary’s. Four different Broncho’s scored, two in each half, as Central enjoyed a 13-4 shot differential. Saturday’s victim was A&M International who were shelled 6-0 by the Broncho’s. A&M International has played five LSC schools thus far this year and given up 29 goals in the process.

Thursday the 24^th the Broncho’s take on a more worthy opponent in NAIA ranked Oklahoma Christian for bragging rights in Edmond. Sunday finds Central in Tahlequah to open LSC play against in-state rival Northeastern Oklahoma.

Midwestern - Thursday the 17^th the Lady Mustangs defeated Northwood (TX) 2-0.

Tuesday the 22^nd Kelsey Hill scored two goals to lead Midwestern to a 2-0 win over Oklahoma Baptist. Midwestern is currently on a program best opening record and #12 national ranking. Good times for the Mustangs!

Friday the 25^th the outmatched A&M International side will no doubt face another thrashing from a LSC opponent in Laredo. Incarnate Word will provide a much stiffer test for Midwestern on Sunday in San Antonio. UIW just fell out of the national rankings and will be looking to prove their mettle by challenging the #12 side. If you’re in the area this will be a great match ! Oct 2 TWU comes to Wichita Falls for Midwestern’s first match of conference play.

ACU - Thursday the 17^th the Wildcats entertained the Patriots of DBU in a match that was scoreless at half. ACU turned up the offensive pressure in the second half, netting three goals before DBU scored in the 87^th minute. Tuesday UTPB came to Abilene but were turned away in a 3-2 2OT defeat.

Friday the Cats travel to San Angelo to open conference play against Angelo State. Last year the Rambelles opened the season with a 1-0 on the Wildcats home field – the Abilene side would like to return the favor. ACU returns home to meet UT Brownsville on Sunday.

Angelo - The fifth straight win for the Rambelles came at the expense of UT Brownsville 1-0. Saturday the Patriots of DBU were the sixth notch in the current win streak, 2-1 in OT. DBU scored first on a corner kick, Angelo answered in the 49^th and secured the win via a PK.

Conference play opens against ACU at home on Friday.

TWU - Friday the 18^th Houston Baptist (D1) outshot the Pioneer 20-4 and earned a 2-0 win.

Sunday the 27^th TCU (D1) will host TWU in a 1 pm match, before the Pioneers open LSC play at A&M Commerce on Tuesday.

ECO - Friday the 18 the Tigers tied A&M International 1-1. ECO scored in the 10^th minute, International tied it up in the 67^th, neither team could net a goal through two overtimes. Sunday ECO hung two second half goals on St Mary’s. A scheduled game against Oklahoma City University was re-scheduled once, 49 minutes were played on the re-scheduled game before a lightning suspension.

Friday the Tigers welcome University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma to Ada for a match, and Northeastern Oklahoma is the first LSC match, scheduled for Tuesday the 29^th.

ENM - Sunday the 20^th the Zia’s defeated Northwestern Oklahoma 3-0 in Alva.

The Zia’s open a four game homestand with ranked WT A&M on Saturday, and then New Mexico Highlands on Monday the 28^th.

Northeastern Oklahoma - Tuesday the Riverhawks defeated John Brown (AR) 1-0 in a game that saw only six shots.

Central Oklahoma is the Riverhawks’ conference opener in Tahlequah, and Tuesday the 29^th ECO comes to town.

Southwestern Oklahoma - Tuesday the 15^th Southern Nazarene defeated the Bulldogs 2-1. SNU scored in the 23^rd and 63^rd minute, before the Bulldogs scored from a corner kick.

Friday the 18^th Oklahoma City University won by the same 2-1 margin. SWOSU scored first, OCU tied it up, and then hit the game winner in the 7^th minute of OT. SWOSU did have a 16-10 shot advantage.

Tuesday the 29^th the Bulldogs travel to Edmond to face Central OK in their conference opener.

LSC Scoop Game Previews - Week 5

Finally, a perfect 7-0 week. Season to date, we are at 26-8. Maybe we can make it two in a row.

Last Week's Games
Tarleton 35, Central Oklahoma 17 - This was a 4 point game with under 13 minutes to play.
Angelo State 29, East Central 9 - Five Ram turnovers kept this from a blowout.
Eastern New Mexico 76, Texas A&M-Commerce 56 - Over 1,300 yards of offense AND 16 punts???
Abilene Christian 33, Southeastern Oklahoma 14 - ACU led 31-0 before cruising in.
Texas A&M-Kingsville 31, Northeastern State 14 - 9 of NSU's possessions were 4 or fewer plays.
Midwestern State 49, Incarnate Word 7 - Mustangs get TDs on 5 of last 7 possessions

This Week's Games
#13 Southwestern Oklahoma at #3 Tarleton State - Mismatch of the Week
The Texans come into the game ranked #14 by both the AFCA and D2football.com, while the Bulldogs have yet to win a ballgame. SWO dropped last week's game to West Texas 41-15, giving up 4 TDs in the second quarter, continuing a season long trend that has seen the Bulldogs outscored by an average of 31-5 in the first half of their ball games. Quarterback Steve Day eclipsed the 6,000 yard mark for his career, but this season has been a struggle for him, with 11 interceptions and just 2 TD passes. Johnathan Haggerty became SWO's all time leader in receptions (138) and receiving yards (2,230).

Tarleton State found themselves in a tight ballgame with UCO, holding a narrow 21-17 with 12:41 to play in the ballgame. The offense responded with a 14 play 76 yard drive for a TD, and the defense stopped UCO on the ensuing possession, giving the offense a short field for the final TD. TSU rested star running back Roderick Smith (sprained MCL), but Evan Robertson (86 yards rushing, 1 TD) and Scott Grantham (310 yards passing, 3 TDs) picked up the slack. Devin Guinn and Jahmeel Hobson combined for 15 receptions, 230 yards and all 3 TD catches. Marcus Phillips led the defense with 8 tackles and had an interception to seal the win.

Roderick Smith has indicated he is ready to go this weekend, but in all reality the Texans could sit him the whole game and have him ready to go for the LSC South games coming up. TSU in a romp 42-7

#12 East Central at #11 Northeastern State
Both teams come into the game 0-4, and both have played brutal schedules. ECU seems to have settled on Josh Phillips at QB, but could only gain 172 yards against Angelo State last weekend. Phillips is completing just 44% of his passes and has 2 TDs and 3 Ints. The running game has been almost non-existant, averaging just 39 yards per game, and with only one back averaging more than 2.1 yds per carry. The Tigers have struggled worse than SWO in the first half, outscored by a 113-2 margin.

In comparison, the Riverhawks have looked pretty good, suffering one blowout to Midwestern State, and losing three others by respectable scores. Woody Wilson had his best game passing at TAMK, completing 10-14 passes for 139 yards and 2 TDs. He also was the leading rusher with 56 yards. The defense was on the ropes, holding TAMK to just 31 points, but giving up 530 yards and 25 first downs.

Looks like the Riverhawks will get their first win, NSU 24-10.

NAIA Northwestern Oklahoma at #6 Southeastern Oklahoma
NWO is 2-1 this season, with wins over Colorado State-Pueblo and Southwestern Assemblies of God. They are rushing for 271 yards per game, and passing for 132. The player to watch on offense is running back Nate Guillory, who is averaging 151 yards per game. Guillory was an All American at Coffeyville CC and had signed with Iowa in 2008. The defense has given up just 258 yards per game, 38 rushing and 220 passing.

If its an odd numbered game, the Savage Storm should put some big points on the scoreboard. They are 2-0, averaging 51.5 points so far in two odd games. Justin Pitrucha relieved Dallas McCutcheon for the second time this season, going 24-32 for 225 yards and 2 TDs against ACU's tough defense. A week after shredding ENMU's defense for 184 yards rushing, Baylen Laury was held to just 22 yards on 11 carries. Daniel Nichols continues to have a fine senior season, with 23 receptions for 319 yards and 6 TDs. The defense continues to struggle - 11th in the LSC in yards allowed and 10th in scoring defense.

Consider this a final tuneup game for SOSU before starting LSC North play next weekend. SOSU 45-28

#9 Eastern New Mexico at #1 Abilene Christian
ENMU's high flying offense vs. ACU's stingy defense - if you enjoy a clash of opposites, this will be a game to watch. The Greyhounds lead the LSC with 48 points, 669 total yards and 593 passing yards per game. ACU is giving up just 13 points, 249 total yards and 217 passing yards per game. Somethings gotta give. Common opponents don't give much insight - ENMU did better against TAMC, but ACU handily defeated an SOSU team that beat ENMU the week before.

JJ Harp had his second straight 600 yard passing game against Texas A&M-Commerce last week. Better yet, he threw 5 TD passes and 0 Ints. Even better, the Greyhounds won, 76-56. Harp now has over 2,300 yards and 14 TD passes through 4 games. ENMU has also shown they can run the ball some - 10th in the LSC in rushing, and only Tarleton and TAMK have more rushing TDs. The defense still needs to improve - history has shown teams cannot expect to win big games with offense alone. ENMU is giving up 35 points and 427 yards per game. Rodney Mitchell is doing his part leading the nation with 5 interceptions.

While ACU has given up 217 yards a game through the air, it is mainly due to teams not being able to run the ball on them (32 yards per game, and just 1.2 per carry). Ashton Whiteside is tops in the conference with 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for losses. The offense continues to be efficient - the Wildcats are just 9th in yards gained, but are 5th in scoring. Daryl Richardson has emerged as the leading rusher for the LSC's third best ground attack.

Though this is not the game of the week, it sure should be a fun. What could be a deciding factor is experience - this will be the biggest college game ever for the Greyhounds, while ACU has playoff and top 10 game experience under their belts. ACU wins 42-24

#7 Central Oklahoma at #10 Texas A&M-Commerce
Big matchup between the preseason picks to compete for the LSC North. While the teams are a combined 1-7, they will still be in the mix for the North title. UCO stood toe to toe with nationally ranked Tarleton for 3+ quarters, before the Texans got a TD and a failed UCO 4th down convervsiona led to the final TSU touchdown. UCO is in the middle to lower half of the LSC statistically, but that is a direct result of playing four ranked teams (WT was ranked at the time they played). Brandon Noohi has yet to find his 2008 groove. He has one TD and one Int in each game so far this year. Jason Palmer is 3rd in the LSC with 89 rushing yards per game and Matt Jackson is 5th in receptions. The defense has given up 35 points and 448 yards per game, but look for those numbers to improve markedly in divisional play.

How much can playing ENMU skew your statistics? The Lions' defense went from 9th to 12th in yards allowed, and from 6th to 12th in scoring defense in one week, while the offense piled up 570 yards and 56 points (through the games they had totaled 566 and 28 respectively). It does look like they settled on a QB - Adam Farkes set a TAMC record with 447 yards passing. The running game, the strength of the Lions offense the past few years, is still 11th in the league, but as with UCO, should improve as the toughest streatch of TAMC's schedule is behind them.

The winner of this game gets a leg up in the LSC North race. Both teams have played well at times, but have been overmatched. This game could go either way, but UCO has played better against a tougher schedule. UCO 31-21

#2 Texas A&M-Kingsville at #8 West Texas A&M
This was a preseason game of the week and possible game of the year, but has lost its luster with WT's 0-3 start to the season. The Javelinas were methodical, if not explosive, last week defeating Northeastern State 31-14, outgaining them by a 530-241 margin. Billy Garza threw for 314 yards and 2 TDs, completing 75% of his passes. For the season, he is hittin on 65% of his passes for 1,030 yards and 8 TDs despite playing just one complete game. His 8 TD passes have gone to 7 different receivers. The running game added 216 yards, and is 2nd in the conference with 194 per game. The defense continues to shine early on - 4th in points allowed and 3rd in yards given up. The pass defense has shown great improvement, giving up just 136 yards per game, and allowing just 50% of passes to be completed.

The Buffaloes broke into the victory column last week with a 41-15 win over Southwestern Oklahoma. Running back Kelvin Thompson led the way with 132 yards rushing and 39 receiving. He is currently 4th in the LSC with 86 yards rushing per game and 8th in all-purpose yards with 117 per game. Despite the big game, WT is still 6th in total yards and 8th in scoring. The defense also had their best game, holding a team under 24 points for the first time this year. Bryan Braman had 4 tackles for losses, including 3 sacks resulting in 23 yards of losses. Overall WT is giving up 28 points and 381 yards per game.

At full strength, West Texas would have a big challenge at home this week, and they haven't been at full strength this year. TAMK wins in Canyon 31-17

#4 Midwestern State at #5 Angelo State - Game of the Week
On the flip side, this matchup moved up from a likely third best for week 5 to the game of the week. One factor has been Midwestern State's total dominance of their early opponents. Another is Angelo State's 3-0 record against D2 teams so far. Neither team has faced a contending D2 team, so this will be the first big test for both.

The Mustangs have dominated their opposition like no other LSC team this season. Their average margin of victory is 40 points and while they have outgained teams by a 2-1 margin. While the level of competition has been less than stellar, the Mustangs have still been impressive. Zack Eskridge is the top rated QB in the LSC (195.3) and has thrown for 1,011 yards and 14 TDs, while only throwing 2 Ints. Four receivers have 10+ catches and 100+ receiving yards, led by Andy Tanner (22-369 and 5 TDs). Marcus Mathis is the leading rusher with 73 yards per game and an impressive 7.1 per carry. The defense has been even better than the offense, giving up just 209 yards and 4 points per game. The pass defense has been especially impressive - teams are averaging under 100 yards per game passing, and the pass efficiency rating for opposing QBs is 50.8. MSU is second in the LSC with 13 sacks and are tops with 12 forced turnovers.

The 29-9 final score last week was much closer than it should have been for the Rams. They outgained ECU 419-172 and only allowed one drive of more than 31 yards. But they lost four fumbles and had a pass intercepted. If they do that this week, they will find themselves in a deep deficit. Josh Neiswander is having a great season, hitting 65% of his passes for 273 yards per game and has 12 TDs and just 2 Ints. V'Keon Lacey is among the LSC leaders with 30 catches for 428 yards and 3 TDs. Dwight Pete and Michael Simpers are combining for 109 yards rushing per game, and have 5 TDs. The defense is continuing last season's leap forward, giving up just 19 points and 265 yards per game, both 5th in the LSC. The Rams lead the LSC with 14 sacks, and are third with 8 Ints. Calvin Fance and D'Angelo Waites are second and third in the LSC in sacks, and Markeith Jones and Logan Bryan are second and fourth in interceptions.

The Rams are making a bid to be the surprise team of the year, and shoot up the LSC ala 2005, while the Mustangs are looking to convert some who downplay their fast start. Both teams have really good QBs, good running games and solid defenses. Angelo State has seen better competition than Midwestern State has, and if they can hold on to the ball this week, should pull out a close victory at home. ASU in a mild upset 24-17

LSC Roundup 9-24

Jacob Rowe selected to 2009 AllState AFCA Good Works Team
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – For a select group of college football players, including Tarleton's Jacob Rowe, the words “sacrifice” and “commitment” extend far beyond the football field to places that don’t require helmets and shoulder pads. Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today have announced the 22 student-athletes chosen for the 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams®, honoring dedicated and hard-working student-athletes for their off-the-field achievements and selfless contributions to their communities.

“This is a great honor for Jacob, our football team and our University,” said Tarleton head football coach Sam McElroy. “There are a great number of kids that do things throughout the year to help others, and for Jacob to be singled out as one of the best means a great deal to us. He certainly deserves this award and the things he does to help others is wonderful. We know he will continue to serve because that is who Jacob is.”

ARN Lone Star Conference rankings
1. ACU (4-0) — The offense takes a step forward, and the defense does a fine job against a potentially explosive Southeastern team. Now, can they shut down — or keep up — with the No. 1 offense in the nation in Eastern New Mexico this week?

2. Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-0) — The Hoggies keep on squealing, rooting up 530 yards on offense last week against Northeastern State (Okla.). They’ve got the sixth-best offense in the nation, and they’re not too bad on defense either — ranked No. 7 in the nation.

3. Midwestern State (4-0) — Who says they don’t play defense in the LSC? The Mustangs are ranked No. 4 in the nation in total defense, and QB Zack Eskridge is ranked No. 2 in passing efficiency.

Lone Star collision: No. 17 Midwestern State takes aim at Angelo State
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Midwestern State University football team went into this season picked to finish fifth in the Lone Star Conference South Division, just one spot ahead of Angelo State — its opponent this week. After allowing just 16 points in four games this season, and outscoring their opponents by an average score of 44.5-4, the Mustangs have moved all the way up to No. 17 in this week’s American Football Coaches Association Division II poll.

After soundly defeating four schools with a combined 3-12 record, MSU will get its toughest test of the season Saturday against the 3-1 Rams at San Angelo Stadium. It is the Lone Star Conference South Division opener for both teams.

Javs gear up for West Texas A&M
CORPUS CHRISTI — For the first time since Don Carthel arrived on the West Texas A&M campus four-plus years ago, the Buffaloes aren’t striking a lot of fear in their football opponents. The Buffaloes have posted at least 10-win seasons under Carthel and have reached the NCAA Division II playoffs in each of his four seasons as coach. They have unleashed a spread-out passing style of offense that has since become the choice of poison for teams in the Lone Star Conference, as well as the rest of the country’s college squads.

This year, some of the gaudy offensive numbers still are being posted. But at 1-3 entering Saturday night’s Lone Star Conference South Division opener against 10th-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville, West Texas isn’t strutting as haughtily as it had been.

“I don’t know if this bunch has played well enough to get any swagger yet,” said Carthel, who in four seasons has moved into third on WT’s all-time list of coaching wins with 45. “They’re going to have to earn their stripes. That has yet to be done. We’ve got a lot of work to do and a lot of improving to do before we can be with the upper part of this conference.”

MSU's Tanner shows off speed
Anyone looking at Andy Tanner when the Midwestern State Mustangs go to an offensive formation with four wideouts might think he is the possession receiver of the foursome — and he may be. But don’t make the mistake of believing he is the stereotypical “slow, white guy.”
Do that and he’s liable to make you pay — just like he did last Saturday night against the Incarnate Word Cardinals.

He caught five passes for a career-best 146 yards and three touchdowns — including the Mustangs opening score where he caught the ball on a bubble screen and ran 80 yards for the TD. But the 5-11, 185-pound senior opened up quite a few eyes on that play. After catching the pass from Eskridge, it appeared Tanner would probably get a first down after he turned the corner. Several Cardinals had the angle on him and could simply push him out of bounds. But those players never got the chance as he sprinted by them, down the sideline to tie for the third longest reception in school history.

“I come out here and work hard every day,” Tanner said. “Coach says to expect success; expect to win; expect to catch every ball; and expect to make big plays. That was what I was trying to do. Once I got by everyone I was just thinking, ‘Don’t get caught and score.’ At that time we needed a big play from somebody on offense. The defense had just made a big play, but we were rusty and not looking good. We needed someone to spark us.”

ASU volleyball capsule, 9/24
The Rambelles look to get back on track tonight when they travel to Abilene to face their archrival ACU. ... ASU is coming off a three-set loss to No. 7 West Texas A&M on Saturday. The ’Belles lost 25-20, 25-17, 25-17 to the Lady Buffs. Chelsea Gibson led ASU with eight kills. Kaitlyn Standard added seven. Alex Allard led ASU with 11 digs. Alex Woolsey had 23 assists and 10 digs. ... ACU is coming off a three-set sweep of Eastern New Mexico on Saturday ... ASU is 53-27 all-time against ACU. The ’Belles won last year’s match between the two teams in four sets. ... ASU will take a break from conference action this weekend when it travels to Topeka, Kan., for the LSC/MIAA Crossover Tournament.

WT Volleyball Preview
The Match: No. 7 West Texas A&M (13-2, 2-0 Lone Star Conference) at Texas A&M-Commerce (14-3, 2-0), 7 tonight, Texas A&M-Commerce Field House, Commerce.

Rambelles prepared to bounce back in LSC
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Riding a six-game winning streak, the Angelo State University women’s soccer teams opens Lone Star Conference play Friday against archrival Abilene Christian. Since a 10-0 loss to Regis to open the season, the Rambelles have gone 6-1, with that one loss coming against then-No. 3 Metro State, a 1-0 double-overtime defeat.

Over the past six games — all wins for the ’Belles — ASU has outscored its opponents 14-3. ASU’s lastest victory was an overtime win against Dallas Baptist last Saturday in which Christian Willman converted a penalty kick four and a half minutes into the extra period.

Lone Star Conference Soccer weekly release (09/23/09)
Women’s conference play kicks off
The first women’s Lone Star Conference match of the season will take place this Friday, as Abilene Christian travels to Angelo State. The first men’s conference game of the season saw a double overtime tie between West Texas A&M and Midwestern State last Friday.

Players of the Week
MEN’S OFFENSIVE
Nick Auditore, Midwestern State, Sr., F, Phoenix, Arizona/Desert Vista HS
Auditore notched two goals in the opening 25 minutes to help No. 18 Midwestern State bury Eastern New Mexico as the Mustangs rolled to a 5-0 win. Auditore, who leads the Lone Star Conference with five goals, placed two of his five shots on goal as MSU also fought West Texas A&M to a scoreless draw Friday night at the MSU Soccer Field.

MEN’S DEFENSIVE
Ryan Spence, Midwestern State, So., D, Decatur, Texas/Decatur HS
Spence helped organized a defense that allowed 16 shots and just two shots on goal last week against No. 18 West Texas A&M and Eastern New Mexico. The sophomore from Decatur played a key role in limiting Lone Star Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Ben Everson to three shots with just one falling on goal in Friday night’s scoreless draw against the Buffs. The No. 12-ranked Mustangs have strung together five-straight shutouts and lead the national with a 0.25 team goals against average.

WOMEN’S OFFENSIVE
Courtney Wilson, Abilene Christian, Jr., M, Odessa, Texas/Odessa HS
Wilson scored three goals last week including two against Dallas Baptist. Her first two points of the young season included a penalty kick late in the game to give the Wildcats a 3-1 victory over DBU. In a 3-2 victory against UT-Permian Basin, she scored the game tying goal in the 82nd minute off a corner kick to send the game to overtime.

WOMEN’S DEFENSIVE
Alli Miller, Central Oklahoma, Sr., D, Norman, Oklahoma/Norman North HS
Miller headed up a dominating defensive effort that carried Central Oklahoma to a pair of easy wins last week. The senior fullback and reigning LSC Defensive Player of the Year led the Bronchos to back-to-back shutouts as UCO ran its winning streak to five straight. Miller and the Bronchos allowed just nine shots in two games -- including two on goal -- in rolling over St. Mary’s (4-0) and Texas A&M International (6-0).

WOMEN’S GOALKEEPER
Mallory Whitworth, Midwestern State, Fr., GK, McKinney, Texas/McKinney HS
Whitworth made five saves and recorded her first career shutout last week to help No. 12 Midwestern State get out to its best start in school history at 5-0-1. The true freshman from McKinney made one save and played all 90 minutes in a 2-0 shutout of Northwood (Texas) Thursday night, then made four saves while playing in the second half of Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Oklahoma Baptist. Whitworth rates ninth in NCAA Division II in goals against average at 0.29 and is 11th in save percentage at .917.