Loss stings right now for accomplished MSU squad - Nick Gholson, Times Record News
Most people would consider one loss in 22 games a really successful season. But don’t try selling that to anyone who coaches or plays soccer for Midwestern State. Not right now.
Maybe in a few days or a few weeks, they will look back and toast one another for a job well done. But it is going to take a while for Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Rollins College to lose its sting. This MSU team had national champion written all over it and came up a couple of wins short of its goal.
There were two things evident in this game. One, Rollins was the best team that MSU has played this year. Two, this was not the best game that MSU has played this year.
That’s a recipe for disaster when you are playing for any kind of national title. Both coaches sensed nervousness from the No. 2 Mustangs.
“I think our guys felt a lot of pressure,” MSU’s Doug Elder admitted. “I felt like this team has had more pressure on them than any other team I have had in 11 years. We have been here before. We are undefeated. We are getting close to the championship prize. This team can’t lose. You guys are the hope of tomorrow. You are the team that is going to bring this school a national championship.”
Mustangs fall in NCAA Div. II semifinals, 2-1 Trey Reed for the Times Record News
There were no surprises in the NCAA Division II men’s semifinal between Midwestern State and Rollins College Thursday night at Frazier Stadium.
Two restarts and two goals. That equaled a 2-1 result for the Tars, who advanced to the national championship contest Saturday afternoon against Northern Kentucky, a 4-1 winner over Dowling (N.Y.) in the other semifinal. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
“What we had to do was nullify their midfield and take advantage of set pieces,” Rollins coach Keith Buckley said.
The first goal came off the head of Jack Clifford in the 30th minute to give Rollins a 1-0 lead.
“The first goal, I just found the near post,” Clifford said. “We have a little system we switch off of and this time I went to the near post. It was a low ball and it just hit me in the head and I happened to knock it in.”
MSU Men's Soccer: Mustangs bow out to Rollins, 2-1 - MSU Sports Information
LOUISVILLE - There were no surprises in the NCAA Division II men's semfinal between Midwestern State and Rollins College Thursday night at Frazier Stadium.
Two restarts and two goals. That equaled a 2-1 result for the Tars who advanced to the national championship contest Saturday afternoon against Northern Kentucky, a 4-1 winner over Dowling (N.Y.) in the other semifinal. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (Central Time)
"What we had to do was nullify their midfield and take advantage of set pieces," Rollins coach Keith Buckley said.
The first goal came off of the head of Jack Clifford in the 30th minute to give Rollins a 1-0 lead.
"The first goal, I just found the near post," Clifford said. "We have a little system we switch off of and this time I went to the near post. It was a low ball and it just hit me in the head and I happened to knock it in."
Rollins dominated the run of play throughout much of the opening 55 minutes with the exception of the final two minutes of the opening half when senior midfielder Paulo Teixeira fired a low shot off of the post.
MSU would strike for the equalizer when Nathan Fitzgerald slipped behind the defense on a well struck cross from Sam Broadbent in the 57th minute.
"This year we've been good at getting wide, hooking it and getting looks in the box," Fitzgerald said. "I know Paulo was behind me and we were both open."
The goal appeared to swing momentum in Midwestern's direction and the Mustangs had another great opportunity inthe 63rd minute.
MSU midfielder Bryce Taylor worked the ball down the left wing and beat the Rollins defense to the post, but his pass was deflected to Fitzgerald who blasted a shot off of center back Thomas Biddinger's lower arm.
The ensuing Rollins counter attack resulted in a yet another quality restart for the Tars and another goal for Clifford who was left unmarked on the far post.
"(Rollins) was very strong in the air and they did very well winning balls," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "We talked about going in how they were going to be good on restarts, free kicks and corner kicks. Both goals came off of restarts. I was a little upset at the men that were marking those men that scored, but its too little, too late and I don't want to take away from a great season, but I'm disappointed we gave up two restart goals."
The loss ended Midwestern State's run for a unbeaten season and its quest for the school's first anational championship.
"We played 21 games without a loss, so we are not used to losing," Elder said. "It is not easy to swallow. Being in the Final Four before and not getting it done, it is very disappointing. That's what we play for. A lot of people play for conference championships, region championships, we wanted this year to play for a national championship.
"But you can't take away this from the kids. You play 22 games and only lose one. These guys know, we wouldn't have minded losing two or three games early in the year to get this one back."
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MSU, Washburn travel similar paths - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
If there is any team that can relate to the Midwestern State Mustangs, it’s the Washburn University Ichabods.
Both teams started the season ranked and with high expectations.
Both teams finally got a monkey off their backs — although in the Ichabods case it was a Gorilla.
And both teams saw all of their losses came at the hands of ranked teams that made the playoffs — including close losses to their respective conference champions.
So it’s only fitting that the No. 25 Mustangs and the Ichabods will meet Saturday in the second Kanza Bowl in Topeka, Kan.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Weaver-Ervin Stadium in Hummer Sports Park.
The Ichabods are 7-4 on the season and finished fourth in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association with a 6-3 record. They started the season ranked 10th in the nation.
Kanza Bowl: MSU to experience service and learning opportunities - LSC Office
Midwestern State will experience more than just a football game at the second annual Lower Kanza Bowl.
Prior to the game against Washburn on Saturday, December 4, MSU will participate in a full schedule of events including service and learning activities.
“We are excited that Midwestern State is participating in this Division II bowl game,” said Stan Wagnon, Lone Star Conference Commissioner. “And that they have the opportunity to take part in service and learning activities, which are both Division II attributes of the student-athlete experience.”
The Mustangs arrived on Thursday and checked into the Topeka Holiday Inn, which will serve as team headquarters.
After breakfast on Friday, MSU will spend the morning in the Topeka community starting at the 33rd annual Festival of Trees, the signature event for Sheltered Living, which supports people with disabilities to achieve independence and actively participate in the community. The festival features approximately 60 trees and wreaths in Festival Park designed by Civic organizations, schools, businesses and individuals.
Next up for the Mustangs is the Brown v. Board of Education Museum. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which challenged the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools, is one of the most pivotal opinions ever rendered by that body.
Before lunch, MSU will spend time at the Easter Seals Capper Foundation. Founded in 1920, the foundation’s mission is to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, primarily children.
After a final team practice/walkthrough, the Mustangs will spend the evening at the Kanza Bowl Banquet.
Saturday’s festivities start at 9 a.m. with a pregame tailgating party to include food, fun and games. MSU will arrive at Hummer Sports Park via police escort at 10:45 a.m. to prepare for the game, which kicks off at 1 p.m.
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Buffs take command in OT - Lance Lahnert, Amarillo Globe News
Non-seniors step up, help Lady Buffs win - Ricky Treon, Amarillo Globe News
Hughey buzzer-beater lifts SE past TexAnns - North Texas e-News
SE falls hard at No. 17 TSU - North Texas e-News
Javs, 'Hawks split hoops twin bill - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller Times
Split in south Texas - Tahlequah Daily Press
Lions prey on Rams in overtime victory - San Angelo Standard Times
Rambelles' offense rolls against Lions - San Angelo Standard Times
ACU women fall - Abilene Reporter News
Mustangs use strong second half to grab win - Times Record News
Mustangs win 32nd in a row at home - Times Record News
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Javelinas will be looking for more in 2011 - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller Times
There was no proclamation from Texas A&M-Kingsville football coach Bo Atterberry, ala Bum Phillips, about knocking on the postseason door the past two seasons and with the intent of kicking it down in 2011.
But that is the plan.
In four years, the Javelinas have, at least, reclaimed their spot — it is considered a birthright by many — as one of the elite teams in the Lone Star Conference if not among all NCAA Division II ballclubs.
It has been a steady climb from Atterberry’s tumultuous first season in 2007 when the Javelinas struggled to a 3-8 finish. Since then, A&M-Kingsville has won 26 of 35 games, including the 10-2 mark this season that ended last Saturday with a 35-31 loss in the second round of the playoffs against defending D-II champion Northwest Missouri State.
“From a progression standpoint, you know as well as I do that we were able to overcome probably more adversity this year than we’ve gone through in previous seasons and still, in my mind, take a step forward,” Atterberry said. “Obviously when you look at the won-lost record, regular-season 10 wins, hadn’t happened since 1989, and then to get a first-round bye and get into the second round of the playoffs, to go through those things I think it’s an extremely positive way to look at what these guys have done.
Javelinas could be part of LSC Festival at Cowboys Stadium next year - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller Times
The Lone Star Conference will know in a week whether several of its football teams — likely including Texas A&M-Kingsville — will take part in a festival of games next season at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
The presidents of the 11 universities that will comprise the LSC beginning next season will meet with LSC commissioner Stan Wagnon in a conference call to discuss the proposed ballgames next Thursday morning, Wagnon said.
With the realignment of the LSC thanks to the departure of five Oklahoma schools, the conference has been trying to secure non-conference matchups, originally with schools from the Gulf South Conference. Wagnon and Gulf South commissioner Nate Salant have been discussing the situation since October, shortly after the five Oklahoma schools announced they would be leaving the LSC.
“Basically what I can tell you is that I started working on a couple of possibilities with the Gulf South Conference commissioner, trying to figure out some ways to play games against each other and through that process started talking with the Dallas Cowboys about the possibility of playing some football games at their stadium,” said Wagnon, who was en route Thursday to Topeka, Kan., for Saturday’s Lower Kanza Bowl pitting Midwestern State of the LSC against Washburn (Kan.) of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Conference.
“But this thing has evolved quite a bit from my first conversations with the Gulf South commissioner,” Wagnon said. “What we’ve proposed to our presidents has changed quite a bit from what it started out. What’s being proposed is more of a Lone Star Conference event rather than a joint venture between the two.”
State college football: The Oklahoman's All-Star team - Scott Munn, The Oklahoman
WARDLAW TOPS OFFENSE
Wardlaw, a former Okeene High star, edged Ethan Sharp of Central Oklahoma as the All-Star quarterback. Both had great numbers. But Wardlaw set several Southern Nazarene passing records as a junior (3,515 yards, 43 touchdowns), and The Oklahoman feels the Crimson Storm offense would’ve suffered greatly had he been injured.
Central Oklahoma would be less effective minus Sharp, but the Bronchos had 1,200-yard running back Josh Birmingham and a slew of good receivers to make it easier on capable backup QBs Landon Greve and Carter Whitson.
BRYANT A NIGHTMARE ON DEFENSE
Bryant, an East Central sophomore, topped the Lone Star Conference with 13.5 sacks for minus-92 yards. Bryant added 49 tackles, four blocked kicks and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Bryant was chosen by Lone Star coaches as the league’s Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Bryant’s teammate, defensive back Dontae Smith, and Southern Nazarene defensive back Matt Pruitt were candidates for The Oklahoman’s top honor.
McCARTY LEADS TIGERS TO TITLE
Tim McCarty of East Central was selected as The Oklahoman’s Coach of the Year. East Central finished the season with a 5-6 record, which does not look so hot on paper. But the Tigers won four of their final six games and captured the Lone Star Conference’s North Division championship. Consider, too, East Central had a 16-game losing streak dating back to the 2008 season until it whipped Southwestern Oklahoma State 23-0 on Sept. 25.
Keith Barefield of Northwestern State was a candidate for Coach of the Year. The Rangers won the Central States Football League and qualified for the NAIA playoffs — the only state small college team to make the postseason. But neither accomplishment was a surprise since Northwestern State returned a number of quality players from a 7-3 team in 2009.
QB — Brady Wardlaw, Southern Nazarene, 5-11, 174, Jr.
*Former Okeene star passed for school-record 3,515 yards and 43 touchdowns
RB — Josh Birmingham, Central Oklahoma, 5-8, 185, Fr.
*Harlon Hill Trophy candidate from Luther ran for 1,250 yards, 18 touchdowns
RB — Baylen Laury, Southeastern State, 5-10, 195, Sr.
*Second-leading rusher in school history with 2,593 yards
WR — Trey McVay, Northeastern State, 5-9, 188, Jr.
*Caught 58 balls for 887 yards and 12 TDs; led RiverHawks in scoring
WR — Jarod Martin, Southern Nazarene, 6-2, 195, So.
*Former defensive back from Westmoore caught 61 passes for 980 yards, 17 touchdowns
WR — Korey Williams, Northwestern State, 5-11, 185, Sr.
*81 catches for 882 yards and nine touchdowns; ran for 191 yards and TD
OL — Jake Kessen, Central Oklahoma, 6-4, 245, Sr.
*Crescent product started at tackle, then moved to center due to teammate's knee injury
OL — Myron McKinney, Southern Nazarene, 6-5, 300, Sr.
*Hopes to join former PC North teammates Sam Bradford and Deji Karim in NFL
OL — Shaquille Roberson, Langston, 6-2, 306, Jr.
*Anchored a line that allowed just 10 sacks
OL — Carlos Savala, East Central, 6-6, 315, Jr.
*Lone Star Conference North division Offensive Lineman of the Year
OL — Sean Taglialatela, Southeastern State, 6-1, 250, Sr.
*Helped Savage Storm finish as Lone Star Conference's No. 2 rushing team
DEFENSE
DL — Billy Blackard, Northeastern State, 6-3, 305, Sr.
*OU transfer had 30 tackles, seven for minus-21 yards. Two fumble recoveries
DL — Armonty Bryant, East Central, 6-6, 245, So.
*Led Lone Star with 13.5 sacks; returned two interceptions for TDs
DL — Brandon Lee, Langston, 6-3, 274, Jr.
*44 tackles; led Lions with 4.5 sacks
DL — Peter Brooks, Northwestern State, 6-2, 270, Fr.
*47 tackles; 16 stops went for minus-56 yards
LB — Rocky Lee, Northwestern State, 5-11, 205, Sr.
*Led Rangers with 99 tackles; 18 were for minus-60 yards
LB — Jon Evans, Northeastern State, 6-1, 215, Sr.
*Led RiverHawks with 79 tackles, including 44 solo stops
LB — Cavetano Hingle, Langston, 5-11, 235, Sr.
*Finished with team-best 79 tackles
DB — Creadell Pennon, Central Oklahoma, 5-10, 200, So.
*Altus alum had five interceptions; returned fumble 37 yards for TD
DB — Dontae Smith, East Central, 6-1, 180, Jr.
*Led Lone Star with six interceptions, two returned for TDs
DB — Matt Pruitt, Southern Nazarene, 5-11, 170, Fr.
*Topped Crimson Storm with eight interceptions and 99 tackles
DB — Jonathon Darby, Southwestern State, 6-1, 205, Jr.
*Team-best 91 tackles; broke up four passes
SPECIAL TEAMS
K — Drew Patton, Northeastern State, 6-0, 175, Fr.
*22 of 23 on extra points; made 12 of 17 field goal attempts
P — Cody Lenz, Northeastern State, 6-0, 195, Jr.
*Averaged 41.4 yards on 57 punts; 12 were 50 yards or longer
KR — Nate Guillory, Northwestern State, 5-8, 187, Sr.
*Rushed for 1,179 yards, 14 TDs. Returned two kicks for touchdowns
SELECTED BY SCOTT MUNN
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