LSC Roundup 9-3

NATHAN WRIGHT: Rams hope for better in return to San Marcos
The Angelo State University football team returns to San Marcos on Saturday, the site where the 2008 season started so promising but then took a crippling turn on one play.

The Rams nearly upset the Bobcats. But they also lost their starting quarterback for the entire season.

“Last year’s game was an interesting one,” ASU head coach Dale Carr said.

MSU's Bagley no longer 'the young guy'
Things are definitely different for Midwestern State linebacker Emmanuel Bagley this year.

After being surrounded by older players the last three years, the fifth-year senior now finds himself as the old man among the linebackers.

“It feels kind of awkward,” he said. “I’m used to being the young guy in the group. I was always learning from the older guys. I used to ask for help. Now, I have a whole bunch of young guys leaning on me and learning from me. It’s been a challenge. I’m up to the challenge. I like challenges.”

Javelinas set to host East Central, Okla.
CORPUS CHRISTI — During the preseason, coach Tim McCarty stated bluntly that his East Central (Okla.) football program had a long trek ahead to regain success. One week into the season there is no doubting his words.

In McCarty’s first game upon his return to the Ada, Okla., university, the Tigers showed little signs of the offensive team that posted 370 yards and nearly 24 points per game last season. The Tigers were throttled by Nebraska-Omaha 48-0, managing a mere 63 yards of offense and four first downs in losing the season opener for the 11th time since 1996.

Conversely, ECU allowed 443 yards and 28 first downs to the Mavericks, whose untested ballclub scored touchdowns the first five times it had the ball. The Tigers rank last in the Lone Star Conference in offense and 10th in defense.

“This team is going to get better during the season. It’s part of the process as you build a program,” McCarty told the Ada Evening News earlier this week. “We live in a culture that wants instant gratification, and there isn’t any instant gratification.”


Seven LSC squads perfect after one week
Complete Release
The Lone Star Conference started off on a good note with five women’s and two men’s soccer teams undefeated after one week of play. Non-conference action continues this week.

Players of the Week
MEN’S OFFENSIVE
Victor Olivares, West Texas A&M, So., F, Juarez, Mexico
Olivares has started off the 2009 season strong, scoring two goals and adding an assist in two matches. The #25 ranked Buffaloes defeated St. Edward’s in the opener, 3-0, and followed with a 2-0 win over UT-Permian Basin over the weekend. WT hits the pitch again on Sept. 4 as they travel to Central Missouri State.

MEN’S DEFENSIVE
Brendon Lindsay, Northeastern State, So., GK, Enid, Okla./Enid HS
Lindsay earned a pair of victories as Northeastern State opened the year with a pair of victories. The RiverHawks downed Rogers State, 2-1, on Aug. 28 before shutting out Harding, 1-0, in overtime on Aug. 30. Lindsay had four saves against RSU and another three saves in goal against the Bisons. His only blemish came on a penalty kick against Rogers State before the RiverHawks stormed back with a pair of goals late in the match for the win.

WOMEN’S OFFENSIVE
Devon Herrman, Texas A&M-Commerce, So., MF, Irving, Texas/Irving HS/SMU
Herrman has made an immediate impact in the A&M-Commerce lineup, scoring five goals and assisting on another through the first three games. She had a hat trick in her A&M-Commerce debut against Mars Hill (Aug. 28) and scored twice in the Lions’ 4-1 win over Dallas Baptist (Sept. 1).

WOMEN’S DEFENSIVE
Megan Monroe, Texas A&M-Commerce, Jr., D, Hewitt, Texas/Waco Midway HS
Monroe handled responsibilities on corner kicks and played a key role in the defense that recorded back-to-back shutouts of Mars Hill and Tusculum and held Dallas Baptist to one goal. A&M-Commerce opened the season with back-to-back shutouts since the 2005 season when the Lions began the season with four in a row.

CO-WOMEN’S GOALKEEPER
Crissy Lawson, Abilene Christian, Sr., GK, San Diego, Calif.
Lawson had two shutouts to open the season, including an upset of No. 14 Central Missouri. In two games, she has a perfect 1.000 save percentage with 10 stops.

Ashley Meek, Midwestern State, Sr., GK, Canyon, Texas/Canyon HS
Meek came off of her line to make three highlight reel saves to keep No. 14 Central Missouri off of the scoreboard as MSU came away with a 1-0 result Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field. The senior from Canyon recorded seven saves while helping the Mustangs notch two shutouts in wins over St. Mary’s and Central Missouri.