LSC Roundup 11-8

MSU women denied LSC title, 2-0 - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
Andrea Carpenter had already picked up some hardware before the Lone Star Conference Women’s Soccer Championship even began.

Sunday afternoon at the MSU Soccer Field she added a little more.

The Abilene Christian freshman scored a goal and assisted on another to pick up Most Valuable Player honors as the Wildcats knocked off the No. 19 Midwestern State Mustangs 2-0 to claim the tournament title.

The Wildcats improve to 16-3 with the win and get the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The Mustangs, who were No. 3 in last week’s regional rankings, are now 16-3 and still expected to get a berth in the tournament.

“I felt like we started slowly,” MSU head coach Jeff Trimble said. “You can give ACU credit for some of that. But we could never get in a rhythm, and we didn’t play good soccer today. It was one of the first times I have ever seen us do that.”

“That was a great win,” said ACU coach Casey Wilson, who has been with the 4-year-old program since its inception. “We were with the wind in the first half and played against it in the second half, but sometimes that’s better. I’m proud of the way we came out and stayed competitive. It was our first win in six tries against Midwestern. They have such a great program. It’s great to win this one and get the monkey off our back.”

Abilene Christian wins LSC Women's Soccer Championship - LSC Office
Abilene Christian scored two second-half goals to defeat Midwestern State, 2-0, and claim the 2010 Lone Star Conference Women’s Soccer Championship in Sunday’s final.

The Wildcats earned their first postseason wins along with the conference title in the program’s fourth-year and will now advance to their first NCAA regional as well.

Andrea Carpenter, who was named the league’s Offensive Player and Freshman of the Year, put ACU on the board in the 50th minute with a goal from the left wing. Carpenter then assisted on the insurance goal, as Katherine Garner put the ball in the back of the net at the 68:23 mark.

ACU held the shot advantage, 16-9, with eight shots on goal.
The Wildcats receive the league’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Regional Tournament. The pairings will be announced tomorrow, Monday, November 8 on NCAA.com at 6 p.m.


LSC Championship All-Tournament Team
Megan Monroe, Texas A&M-Commerce
Sarah Hernandez, Incarnate Word
Brandie DeBacker, Angelo State
Ashley Brown, Angelo State
Jordan Hutchison, Central Oklahoma
Stephanie Fleig, Central Oklahoma
Brandy O’Neal, Midwestern State
Kendra Clemons, Midwestern State
Kelsey Hill, Midwestern State
Julie Coppedge, Abilene Christian
Ashley Holton, Abilene Christian
Brie Buschman, Abilene Christian
Lexi Stirling, Abilene Christian
MVP – Andrea Carpenter, Abilene Christian



MSU finishes regular season unbeaten - Times Record News
No. 2 Midwestern State used two second-half goals to propel the Mustangs to a 2-1 Lone Star Conference win over West Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, MSU completed the second unbeaten season in school history at 16-0-2.

“I’m proud of the boys,” MSU coach Doug Elder said. “They came in and showed a lot of resolve. It’s hard to go 18 games and keep everyone healthy.”

The Mustangs didn’t start Paulo Teixeira and Ryan Spence and went down another starter when goalkeeper Raul Herrera collided with Jack Robertson in the seventh minute.

“We were concerned about keeping everyone healthy,” Elder said. “After Raul went down, I wanted to pull everyone.”
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Field set for the LSC volleyball tourney - Abilene Reporter News
The field of teams has been set for the Lone Star Conference Volleyball Championship, which begins Thursday at Canyon and runs through Saturday.

West Texas A&M, which went a perfect 14-0 through conference play, will host the event after claiming the LSC’s regular season title for the fifth straight time.

The other teams included in the eight-team, single-elimination bracket are second-seeded Abilene Christian University, No. 3 Angelo State, No. 4 Midwestern State, No. 5 Tarleton State, No. 6 Central Oklahoma, No. 7 Texas Woman’s University and No. 8 Incarnate Word.

The tournament will consist of four first-round matches on Thursday, two semifinal matches on Friday and the championship match on Saturday.

WT is the defending champion after beating ACU in four games last year in Canyon.


Field set for LSC Volleyball Championship - LSC Office
The teams are set for the annual Lone Star Conference Volleyball Championship, which begins Thursday in Canyon, Texas.

West Texas A&M earned the right to host the event as the league's regular season champion for the 16th overall and fifth straight year with a flawless 14-0 record. The Lady Buffs have went five consecutive seasons without dropping a conference match and extended its winning streak to 80 straight matches over league opponents as well.

The eight-team, single-elimination tournament consists of four first-round matches on Thursday, followed by two semifinal games on Friday evening and the championship match on Saturday night.

The top eight teams in the LSC will compete for the 2010 conference title. In addition to winning the conference crown, the LSC champions will receive the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Championship tournament.

All the championship games will be aired live via internet video streaming here. The webcasts are available free of charge. Each webcast includes both video and audio, with viewers needing only a computer with a high-speed DSL or cable modem connection to the internet. Veteran broadcaster Chris Needham has the call for all the games.

Action starts on Thursday at 12 p.m. with No. 3 Angelo State against No. 6 Central Oklahoma followed by No. 2 Abilene Christian versus No. 7 Texas Woman’s at 2:30 p.m., No. 4 Midwestern State against No. 5 Tarleton State at 5 p.m. and No. 1 WTAMU versus No. 8 Incarnate Word at 7:30 p.m.

WTAMU won the 2009 LSC volleyball championship with a 3-1 victory over ACU in Canyon, Texas.


LSC Volleyball Championship
November 11-12-13, 2010 in Canyon, Texas
Thursday, Nov. 11
Match 1: No. 3 Angelo State vs. No. 6 Central Oklahoma, 12 p.m.
Match 2: No. 2 Abilene Christian vs. No. 7 Texas Woman’s, 2:30 p.m.
Match 3: No. 4 Midwestern State vs. No. 5 Tarleton State, 5 p.m.
Match 4: No. 1 West Texas A&M vs. No. 8 Incarnate Word, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 12
Match 5: Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 5 p.m.
Match 6: Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 7:30 p.m.



Saturday, Nov. 13
Match 7: Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 7 p.m.

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ACU running game, Buffs' lack of one prove decisive - Dave Henry, Amarillo Globe News
If the West Texas A&M Buffs are disappointed today in where they land in the NCAA Division II Super Regional Four football rankings, they can pinpoint exactly where their fall started - in the second half of their 41-34 loss Saturday night to second-ranked Abilene Christian, when the Buffs could neither run the ball nor stop the run.

The latest regional rankings come out this afternoon.

And the Buffs, ranked fifth in the region before the loss to ACU, will need to finish in the top six to make the playoffs.

Here's why WT's playoff fate is now in the hands of the regional rankings...



Javelinas' defense tough as nails - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller Times
KINGSVILLE — DeIra Glover flashes a smile, not so much in an aw-shucks manner but more in a prideful gush that exudes when he contemplates the play of Texas A&M-Kingsville’s defense and how it has been such a steadying influence for the Javelinas.

“It’s hard to explain. I just think it’s just a lot of guys knowing that if they fly around making plays, good things are going to come of it,” said Glover, a senior safety for the Javelinas. “All good teams fly around and make plays. That’s what the defensive unit is doing this year, more so than last year. We’ve got a group of guys who want to fly around and make plays on the ball.”

All of that flying around by A&M-Kingsville’s defense has reaped dividends all season, and Saturday night’s 27-7 Lone Star Conference victory over Midwestern State was no different. The fourth-ranked Javelinas (9-1) reached the nine-win plateau for the second consecutive season and all but locked themselves into a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

A&M-Kingsville figures to stand no worse than the No. 3 position it held in the Super Region 4 rankings entering the game behind No. 1 Abilene Christian and No. 2 Central Missouri. Central’s late 17-16 loss on Saturday to No. 4 Northwest Missouri State — the latter lost the season opener to the Javelinas 16-7 — figures to jumble the region some. But it is highly unlikely the NCAA would give the top two slots in the region to LSC teams. The top six teams advance to the postseason when the pairings are announced next Sunday.


Mustangs to learn status of quarterback - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
The Midwestern State Mustangs probably won’t know until later today — at the earliest — the status of senior quarterback Zack Eskridge for this week’s regular season finale.

Eskridge was not scheduled to see the team doctor until Sunday evening, and head coach Bill Maskill didn’t think he would know anything until today.

“He wasn’t able to play the second half because of the injury to his shoulder,” Maskill said. “He’ll see the doctors later tonight and we’ll go on from there. I don’t expect to know anything definitive until Monday.

“If Zack can’t go, he can’t go. We’ll do what’s in the best interest for him.”


Area College Football Report - Nov. 8, 2010 - San Antonio Express News
GAME BALLS

Roderick Benman: DL from A&M-Kingsville recorded a career-high 10 tackles and forced a fumble as the Javelinas held Midwestern State to 161 yards.

NOTABLE

A&M-Kingsville: The Javelinas scored 20 second-half points, starting with an 80-yard, 17-play drive that ate 8:35 off the clock. Before Ryan Lincoln capped A&M-Kingsville’s longest drive of the season with an 8-yard run, the Javelinas converted a fourth down and three third downs.

UIW: The Cardinals’ second TD was out of the ordinary. Facing fourth down at Tarleton State’s 16, the Cardinals were set for an apparent field goal. However, holder Dominic Hamilton of Smithson Valley fielded the snap and delivered an over-the-shoulder toss to PK Thomas Rebold, who ran to the 9 for a first down. When the drive stalled at the 4 and another field goal seemed likely, Hamilton bobbled the snap but picked up the ball and ran in for the touchdown. ... UIW’s 17-14 advantage at halftime was the first time the Cardinals have led at the break this season.


McVay leads RiverHawks to OT victory - Ben Johnson, Tahlequah Daily Press
One thing's for sure, Northeastern State and Eastern New Mexico were not going to venture into a second overtime. Without a place kicker, NSU was either going to win or lose its home finale.

Luckily, the RiverHawks had Trey McVay.

The Fort Gibson native set career-highs in receptions (12) and receiving yardage (175) to go along with three touchdowns, including a game-winning, 30-yard touchdown pass in overtime to lead NSU to a 43-40 victory over Eastern New Mexico at Doc Wadley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“I don't even know what to say,” said NSU head coach Kenny Evans, whose team, with the victory, finished in a first-place tie atop the Lone Star Conference North standings. “...This guy (McVay) is definitely the Player of the Year in my book.”


Top Five Remain Unchanged in D-II Coaches' Poll

The top five teams remain the same in this week’s AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 poll. Abilene Christian (Texas) remains at No. 2, followed by No. 3 Northwest Missouri State, No. 4 Texas A&M-Kingsville and No. 5 Albany State (Ga.). Former No. 6 Central Missouri and No. 7 Augustana (S.D.) drop out of the Top 10 this week with losses to No. 3 Northwest Missouri St, 17-16, and Wayne St., 26-14, respectively.

Mercyhurst (Pa.) will host Bloomsburg (Pa.) in Erie, Pa. this next Saturday for the Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference title. No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney will travel to No. 21

1. Minnesota Duluth (1)
2. Abilene Christian (2)
3. Northwest Missouri (3)
4. Texas A&M-Kingsville (4)
5. Albany State (5)
6. Grand Valley (8)
7. Valdosta (10)
8. Nebraska-Kearney (9)
9. Shepherd (11)
10. California PA (12)
12. Central Missouri (6)
19. West Texas A&M (14)
25. Midwestern State (19)

Receiving Votes - Central Washington, Washburn, Missouri Western



LSC Football Weekly Release: ACU, ECU, NSU clinch divisional titles - LSC Office

ACU CLINCHES SOUTH DIVISION, SHARE OF LSC TITLE
Abilene Christian defeated West Texas A&M, 41-34, to clinch the Lone Star Conference South Division title for the second straight year and at least a share of the league championship. The Wildcats remain unbeaten this season, improving to 10-0 overall, 9-0 conference and 6-0 division.

Click here for the complete release

ECU, NSU SHARE NORTH DIVISION CROWN
East Central and Northeastern State shared the LSC North Division crown with identical 5-1 records. The Tigers won their first divisional title, while the RiverHawks claimed their fourth crown and first since 2007.

ACU, KINGSVILLE STILL RANKED IN TOP-FIVE
Two LSC teams are ranked in top four of the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll (Nov. 8) with ACU staying at No. 2 and Texas A&M-Kingsville still at No. 4. WTAMU falls to No. 19 and Midwestern State to 25th.

CROSSOVER WEEK
The 2010 season concludes with seven crossover games in week 12. The league has played 21 crossover contests so far this season with the South Division holding a 18-3 advantage.

STAT LEADERS
In week 11, the LSC had four quarterbacks throw for 300-plus yards, seven receivers and five rushers over the century mark and 15 double-digit tacklers. Top performances included:
Passing: 446, Taylor Harris (39-60-3), WTAMU vs ACU
Rushing: 21-173, Dwight Pete, SWOSU vs UCO
Receiving: 12-180, Jessie Poku, ENMU at NSU
Tackles: 15, Perron Sellers, ENMU at NSU; Curtis Jackson, ENMU at NSU

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
SOUTH OFFENSIVE
Daryl Richardson, Abilene Christian University, SO, RB, Jacksonville, Fla., Sandalwood HS
Richardson was a big part of the Wildcats earning their second LSC South Division title in three years … Richardson scored three times all in the second half to help propel the Wildcats to their fourth win over a top 25 team this season … two of the touchdowns came in the fourth quarter, but none were bigger than his final score of the game … a 23 yard run with 1 minute left in the game gave ACU a 41-34 lead and win … it was Richardson highest total of the season rushing 19 times for 98 yards and the three scores … he also added three catches out of the backfield for 41 yards giving him 139 all-purpose yards in the game … it was also Richardson’s first scores since a week 6 touchdown run at Incarnate Word

SOUTH DEFENSIVE
James Williams, Abilene Christian University, JR, CB, Hallsville, Texas, Hallsville HS
Williams a junior defensive back picked off Taylor Harris three times helping the Wildcats clinch their second LSC South Division title in three seasons … Williams’s picked Harris three times with 27 total return yards … he also recorded 6 tackles in the Wildcat victory over No. 14 West Texas A&M

SOUTH SPECIAL TEAMS
Garrett Tidwell, Angelo State University, SR, PR/KR, Boyd, Texas, Boyd HS
Tidwell will forever be left thinking what could have been as two long punt returns – one for a touchdown and another inside the Southeastern Oklahoma five yard line – were erased by block in the back penalties. Tidwell, who entered the game among the nation’s leaders in both kick and punt return average, still didn’t disappoint as the senior from Boyd, Texas, returned the opening kickoff of the second half 86 yards for a touchdown. It was Tidwell’s third special teams score of the season, having already logged two punt returns for touchdowns. Tidwell averaged 31 yards per return on three kickoffs, despite SOSU’s attempts to kick short.

CO-NORTH OFFENSIVE
Tyler Vanderzee, East Central University, JR, QB, Chino, California, Ontario Christian HS
Vanderzee completed 62.2 percent of his passes (28-of-45) for a school-record 435 yards and two touchdowns of 8 and 5 yards, both to Chris Espinoza, in the Tigers’ 36-33 victory at Texas A&M-Commerce. Vanderzee completed a perfect 3-of-3 passes for 31 yards to set up teammate Matt Berrey’s game-winning 37-yard field goal with one second to go. Vanderzee was intercepted just once and sacked only one time.

Trey McVay, Northeastern State University, JR, WR, Fort Gibson, OK, Fort Gibson HS
McVay had a career day by catching 12 passes for 175 yards, both career bests, and three touchdowns (tied a career-high) in a 43-40 win over Eastern New Mexico. His 30-yard scoring reception on Northeastern State’s first play in OT lifted the RiverHawks to the win and a tie for the LSC North championship, their first since 2007. McVay leads the team in receptions (52), yards (825) and TDs (12) and has helped the team to a 6-4 overall record, 6-3 LSC mark and 5-1 in the LSC North.

NORTH DEFENSIVE
Perron Sellers, Eastern New Mexico University, JR, LB, La Marque, Texas, La Marque HS/Fullerton JC
Sellers turned in an outstanding game for the Greyhounds at Northeastern State, recording a career-best 15 tackles with 10 solo stops. He forced a fumble in the third quarter, just three plays after ENMU tied the game at 21-all. Sellers added a third-down quarterback hurry in the third quarter and a sack in the second quarter.

NORTH SPECIAL TEAMS
Armonty Bryant, East Central University, SO, Coverage, Wichita Falls, Texas, Wichita Falls HS
Bryant blocked two kicks in ECU’s 36-33 win at Texas A&M-Commerce. He blocked a PAT and a 36-yard field goal attempt, both in the third quarter. His block of the field goal left the score at 26-19 in favor of the Tigers. As a defensive end, Bryant totaled four tackles, including two solo efforts. Two of his tackles led to losses of five yards, including a quarterback sack for four yards. He also had a pass breakup and was credited with three quarterback hurries.