LSC Roundup 10-7

West Texas A&M, Tarleton St. on outside looking in
The release of the NCAA Division II Super Region Four rankings on Monday probably raised a few eyebrows — but for different reasons. For the first time since 2005, West Texas A&M is not in the regional rankings, while perennial MIAA power Pittsburg State is also on the outside looking in. But their records are 1-5 and 3-3, respectively, so most people wouldn’t have expected to see them.

However, the Tarleton State Texans — Midwestern State’s opponent this week — isn’t ranked with a 5-1 record and that loss was to Texas A&M-Kingsville on the road. Fort Hays of the MIAA is in at No. 7 despite having just a 4-2 mark. So why the discrepancy?

Put simply it’s strength of schedule.

The Texans have only played one game against LSC South opponents — the loss to the Javelinas — and they have had the misfortune of playing four LSC North teams. And not one of them has a winning record. The Mustangs’ strength of schedule isn’t anything to write home about, thus their No. 9 ranking. But at least they have only played two LSC North teams so far and one of their wins was against Southeastern Oklahoma, which has a 4-2 record.

Soccer News
Lightning ends HSU-ENMU soccer tied 1-1 in OT
The Hardin-Simmons men’s soccer team battled Division II Eastern New Mexico to a 1-1 tie at home Tuesday in a game that was called during the first overtime period because of lightning. Cody McGrath gave the Cowboys a 1-0 lead just 8:09 into the game on his first goal of the season. That lead stood until the 63rd minute, when ENMU’s Emerson Rodrigues evened the score with his sixth goal.

Mustangs open South Central Region rankings at third
Midwestern State is ranked third in the South Central Region as the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Committee released its first regional rankings of the 2009 campaign Tuesday night. The top two teams from the South Central Region and the top two sides from the Central Region will meet at the site of the Central Region's top team on the weekend of Nov. 13.

South Central Region
1. West Texas A&M
2. Truman State
3. Midwestern State
4. Incarnate Word

Central Region
1. Fort Lewis
2. Colorado Mines
3. Metro State
4. Regis

Cross Country News
Texan cross country moves up to No. 5 in regional rankings
NEW ORLEANS - The Tarleton Texan cross country team moved up one spot to No. 5 in the south central region in this week's U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) regional rankings released by the league office on Tuesday.The Texans, ranked No. 23 in the nation, are coming off a first-place win at the North Texas Cross Country Invitational in Denton last Friday. Jared McNeil finished first-place overall in the men's race with fellow Texans Gerzain Valenzuela (2nd), Chris Hearell (4th), Ryan Quezada (5th) and Westyn Rosilies (6th) right behind him helping Tarleton capture it's second straight title in Denton.

1. Abilene Christian
2. Central Missouri
3. Southwest Baptist
4. Missouri Southern
5. Tarleton State
6. Pittsburg State
7. Eastern New Mexico
8. Truman State
9. Emporia State
10. Northwest Missouri

Mustangs slide three spots to No. 8 in USTFCCCA regional rankings
Midwestern State slipped three spots in the latest NCAA Division II South Central Region rankings as released Tuesday by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association. The Mustangs finished fourth in the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree's College Division last Saturday in Stillwater.
1. Missouri Southern
2. Dallas Baptist
3. Pittsburg State
4. Truman State
5. Fort Hays State
6. Northwest Missouri
7. Central Missouri
8. Midwestern State
9. Emporia State
10. Texas A&M-Commerce

Volleyball News
King Leads Zias Past Panhandle With 14 Kills and Six Blocks
ECU falls to UA-Fort Smith, 3-2
TWU Volleyball falls in five sets to Dallas Baptist

Golf News
TexAnns win Cheddar's/UCO crown
Rust Leads Bronchos
Bronchos Finish Third
Smith's 65 lifts golf to 4th
CU breaks records on way to 5th
Aggies finish strong at Texoma
Men Conclude Fall Season
Women Complete UCO Tourney
Lady Tiger golfers finish 16th at UCO tourney
M. Golf. Buffs Finish the 2009 Fall Golf Season with a Fifth place Finish