‘Yote Notes – Oct. 21, 2004

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

 

 

 

 

 

ATHLETICS NEWS:

FIRST C.A.A. DINNER: The first Coyote Athletic Association dinner is scheduled for Monday night in the Simplot Dining Hall on the Albertson College campus.  Cost is $8.00 per person, which includes an all-you-can-eat dinner.  To RSVP, call 459-5835.

CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER INSTITUTION: For the fourth-straight year, Albertson College was named a "Champions of Character" Institution.  The award recognizes NAIA member institutions that have embraced the character program by promoting or implementing activities related to the five core character values of the initiative.  This is the fourth year of the recognition program for the Association. The 184 schools will receive an award from the NAIA.  In 2000-01, 124 institutions received the award, while the recipients numbered 160 in 2001-02 and 193 in 2002-03.  “Being a Champion of Character Institutional Award winner means that you take the time to intentionally practice what the NAIA and the institutional mission statement look like in action,” said Rob Miller, NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives.  “We are proud of our member institutions that take honor in this award and understand the importance we place on it.”  The Champions of Character initiative was introduced in the fall of 2000.  Through Champions of Character, the NAIA seeks to create an environment in which every NAIA student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through five tenets: respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship. While the NAIA and its membership have utilized sport as a character development tool on an informal basis, this program educates and creates awareness of the positive character-building traits learned through sports and returns integrity to competition.

BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS: Albertson College basketball season ticket brochures have been mailed to prospective season ticket holders for the 2004-05 season.  This season will offer plenty of options, as 28 games - including all nine Cascade Conference doubleheaders, the Golden Rule Shoot-Out, and the Lady 'Yote Classic are a part of the package.  Reserved season tickets are $85 dollars per seat, while multiple plans are available for general admission season tickets.  Adult GA's are $65, student and senior GA's are $45, while a family (two adults, unlimited kids) can have a GA season pass for $150.  For more information or to become a Coyote season ticket holder, contact Dave Hahn at 459-5835.

MEN’S SOCCER (9-3-1, 6-3-1 CCC): Simple scenario, Coyotes face must-sweep road trip at Northwest and Evergreen

 

LAST WEEK: vs. Concordia (L 1-0); vs. Cascade (W 7-0)

 

COMING UP: at Northwest, Friday, 7 p.m. (PDT); at Evergreen, Saturday, 1 p.m.

 

TWO WINS NEEDED: The Albertson men’s soccer team has their playoff fate in their own hands this weekend, as the final two regular-season games take place in the Puget Sound area.  The Coyotes, who have qualified for the playoffs each of the past five seasons, face a pair of must-win matches at Northwest and Evergreen.  Nothing short of two wins gets the ‘Yotes a chance to play another game, as Albertson trails Evergreen by five points heading into the weekend.  Two wins, and the ‘Yotes would end the year with 25 points, one more than the Geoducks.

 

CAN STILL HOST REGIONAL: Believe it or not, Albertson still has a slim chance to host the NAIA Region I Tournament in two weeks.  The regular-season champion of the CCC earns the host site of the four-team event.  If the Coyotes were to win both games, and Concordia were to lose matches to Western Baptist and Warner Pacific, Albertson would win the league crown and teams would head to Caldwell.

 

LONGO UPDATE: Heading into play this week, No. 9 ranked Simon Fraser is the leader in Longo points – the determining factor for seeding for the regional tournament.  Concordia sits in second, Evergreen in third, while Western Baptist and Warner Pacific are in a tight battle for fourth.  Both Albertson and Westminster are well behind the group.  If the ‘Yotes win out, the regional match-up would most-likely be Albertson vs. SFU and Concordia vs. Evergreen or Western Baptist (depending on the Longo).  If Albertson loses a game, it would be a toss up between SFU, Concordia, Evergreen, Western, and Warner Pacific.

 

WIN STREAK OVER: As two key Cascade Conference matches for the Coyotes loom this weekend, the Albertson men’s soccer team saw their unbeaten streak end last Friday with a 1-0 loss at Symms Field to Concordia.  Albertson finished the regular-season with a 4-1-1 mark at home, thanks to a 7-0 blanking of Cascade on Saturday afternoon.

 

NUMBER FOUR IN THE REGIONAL POLL: With a 1-1 week, the Coyotes dropped to  No. 4 in the latest NAIA Region I poll, the second-lowest ranking for Albertson all season.  Continuing to lead the region is Simon Fraser, who is ranked No. 9 in the national poll.  Concordia moved to No. 2 on the strength of their win at Albertson, Evergreen dropped to No. 3 due to a loss at Western Baptist, and Western rejoined the poll at No. 5.

 

JUST OUTSIDE THE NAIA POLL: By virtue of moving into the No. 4 spot in the region, the ‘Yotes did not receive votes for the fourth-straight week in the NAIA national poll.  Albertson had remained at No. 30 in the NAIA with seven votes for two weeks this season.  They received eight votes in the preseason poll (No. 31) and 17 votes during the first polling period (No. 27), but have not been ranked in the Top-25 since the 2002 season.  The Coyotes have earned a Top-25 ranking on five occasions in school history, cracking the poll at the end of the 2000 season (No. 25), doing the same in 2001 (No. 23), and on three occasions during the 2002 season (highest being No. 15).

 

ONE GOAL DID IT FOR CONCORDIA: Concordia University ended a four-game losing streak to Albertson College last Friday, shutting out the Coyotes, 1-0 at Symms Field, to take over first-place in the Cascade Conference men's soccer standings.  Joe Beytebiere tucked in low 30-yard drive in the right corner of the net in the 34th minute, past a shielded Ryan Huber (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), as the Cavaliers avenged an earlier 2-1 loss to Albertson in Portland. The match, which was primarily played between the 18-yard marks, saw the 'Yotes get a pair of second half chances - a Joe Chandler (Nampa, Idaho / Univ. of Utah) flick that went high in the 46th minute, and a Jason Southward (Hailey, Idaho / Wood River HS) drive midway through the period that was stopped by back-up keeper Jared Ehm.

 

CASCADE THUMPED ON SENIOR DAY: The most prolific scoring day of the 2004 season took place Saturday, as the Coyotes toppled struggling Cascade College, 7-0, on Senior Day.  On the final regular-season home tilt for seven seniors, Albertson sent them out with a win.  Ryan Abo (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) and Drake Jakovac (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS), both four-year starters and All-Americans, had a big hand in the scoring.  Abo recorded a goal and two assists, with Jakovac adding a score and an assist.  All 22 Coyote players saw action in the rout, as the 'Yotes held a 40-2 shot advantage over the T-Birds, who have yet to score in a league match this year.  Michael Delgado (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS) scored on his first touch of the game in the 23rd minute, off a nice combination from Jakovac and Joe Chandler.  Mitch White (Boise, Idaho / Gonzaga Univ.) would then head a ball home off a Dustin Crim (Boise, Idaho / Borah HS) cross in the 27th minute - and the rout was on.  Even the youngsters got in the act, as sophomore Dustin Wanders (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) had a goal and an assist, sophomore Sam Reed (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) had two assists, and junior Shaun Shannon (Boise, Idaho / Meridian HS) a goal.

 

WE’LL MISS YOU SENIORS: This weekend marks the final regular-season games for seven Albertson seniors.  Already mentioned were seniors Ryan Abo, Drake Jakovac, Jason Southward, and Dustin Crim.  Rounding out the group are forward John Reinschmidt (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS), defender Brad Brooks (Meridian, Idaho / Meridian HS), and defender Skiff Larson (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS).

 

RECORD WATCH: A pair of Coyotes continue to inch up the Albertson career record book.  Jason Southward’s two goals against Western Baptist two weeks ago gave him 50 goals for his career, moving into third-place all-time, five behind Derek Larsen and second.  Southward also has 123 career points, moving past Jared Larsen and into fourth-place, and tying Coe Michaelson for third.  Matt Blazek is the all-time leading scorer with 69 goals and 173 career points.  Ryan Abo had two assists against Cascade, giving him 36 assists in his career, moving him ahead of Matt Blazek into second-place all-time.  Abo is chasing Michaelson’s record of 39 assists, set from 2000-02.

 

ON TURF AND IN MUD: A difficult road trip looms for the ‘Yotes, as 500 miles separate Albertson and their first opponent, Northwest University.  The Eagles (4-9, 2-8 CCC) are dangerous, especially on their synthetic turf field, despite their losing record.  Case in point the match in Caldwell earlier this month, in which NW led 2-0 at halftime, only to have the ‘Yotes score three second-half goals to win.  The Eagles are led by Seth Wilson (eight goals, three assists) and Chris Chapman (five goals, three assists) – and have been shutout only twice in 13 matches this season.  It is the 20th meeting between the teams, with Albertson holding a 17-2 advantage – including six straight wins at Lake Washington High in Kirkland.  The pitch should be muddy and wet Saturday at Evergreen, where a playoff spot may be on the line.  The Geoducks (10-5, 7-3) are having their best season since 1995 and have two of the top scorers in the CCC in Joe Gjertsen (19 goals, two assists) and Nathan Ford (11 goals, two assists).  The Greeners lost a 3-2 decision to the ‘Yotes in overtime in Caldwell at the beginning of the month – but now put a 7-1 home record on the line.  The Clams have not had much success against Albertson in the past, as the Coyotes hold a 12-2-1 all-time edge in the series.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2004 men’s soccer team can be found on Albertson men’s soccer official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/menssoccer.htm.  Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/msoccer/stats/standings.htm.

 

CROSS COUNTRY: Flueckiger and Coyote men make big splash at Regional Preview Meet

 

LAST WEEK: at Cascade Conference/NAIA Region I Preview Meet, Portland, Ore. – Men finished sixth, Women did not finish in team standings (incomplete squad)

 

COMING UP: Idle until Cascade Conference/NAIA Region I Preview Meet, Lents Park, Portland, Ore., November 6 – Women’s 5,000-meters at 9:15 a.m. (PDT), Men’s 8,000-meters at 10 a.m. (PDT)

 

FLUECKIGER MAKES A STATEMENT: In team sports, one new player usually does not make a gigantic impact on a team and their standings.  But last Saturday in Portland, one runner changed the course of Albertson men’s cross country in a blink of an eye.  Transfer David Flueckiger (Herisou, Switzerland / Va. Commonwealth), who waited six weeks for his German collegiate transcripts to be translated so he could become eligible – burst on the regional scene, placing sixth in the 104 runner field, by far the top performance by a Coyote harrier this year.  With Flueckiger’s lofty mark, the Albertson men jumped from near the bottom of the regional pack into a sixth-place finish – on the same course that the all-important regional meet will be held.

 

MEN IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY: Also running well for the Coyotes was Jacob Haas (Portland, Ore. / Eastern Oregon Univ.), who finished in 20th.  As a team, however, is where the progress has been made – especially comparing the results from the Northwest Nazarene and Willamette Invitationals.  At Willamette, Oregon Tech topped the ‘Yotes by 86 points, Western Baptist had a 28 point margin, and Evergreen was tied with Albertson.  Move ahead two weeks, and the balance has shifted, as the Coyotes defeated OIT by eight points, and throttled both WB and Evergreen by 90.  Even more amazing was the turnaround against Lewis-Clark State, a team that has been ranked in the NAIA Top-25.  At NNU, LC-State topped the ‘Yotes by 103 points in a seven-team field, and by 218 points in the 30-team Willamette Invite.  Last week, LC still got the best of Albertson, but this time by a mere eight points.

 

WOMEN STILL BATTLING INJURIES: For the second-straight week, the Albertson women did not post a team score, as just four runners competed in Portland.  Top runner Shannon Edwards (Sherwood, Ore. / Eastern Oregon Univ.) shot out of the gates at Lent’s Park, challenging the leaders in the first 3,000-meters.  She faded to a 24th-place finished, with head coach Pat McCurry knowing that she can run much faster if she runs her race.  Genny Gerke (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) had a personal-best time in placing 43rd.

 

CAN THEY BUY TICKETS TO LOUISVILLE?: Only one race remains for the Coyote runners, the all-important Cascade Conference/NAIA Region I Meet, covering the exact course run last weekend.  If last week were any indication, both David Flueckiger and Jacob Haas would advance to the national meet in Louisville, Ky. – based on their first and third-place finishes among runners not on teams in the Top-25.  Shannon Edwards would have qualified on the women’s side – albeit barely, as she was the fifth-place runner among those not in the Top-25.  The top-five at large runners (not in the Top-25) qualify for the national meet.

 

ABOUT CROSS COUNTRY: Cross country is a bit different than most sports – similar to golf, where the lowest score is the best.  Teams compete in races, with the top-five times on a squad counting toward a team score.  The place a runner finishes in the race equals that many points (third-place is three points, 12th is 12 points), with the team with the fewest points (the squad with the highest finishers) winning the team event.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information on the 2004 cross country team, including meet-by-meet results and top times can be found on the Albertson cross country official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm. 

 

VOLLEYBALL (12-7, 9-4) Lady ‘Yotes sweep weekend set, head out to Portland to meet Warner and Cascade

 

LAST WEEK: vs. Northwest (W 3-1), vs. Evergreen (W 3-0)

 

COMING UP: at Cascade, Friday, 7 p.m. (PDT); at Warner Pacific, Saturday, 7 p.m. (PDT)

 

DUO EARN WEEKLY HONORS: For the third time this season, sophomore setter Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Fork HS) was named Cascade Conference and NAIA Region I Setter of the Week.  Cherrington led the Lady ‘Yotes to a weekend sweep of Northwest and Evergreen, including a mammoth 64-assist night in the four-game win over Northwest – the second-highest four-game total this season.  She currently leads the Cascade Conference in assists per game and adds this honor to the awards she earned for the week’s of Sept 5-11 and Sept. 26-Oct. 2.  Also earning weekly honors was senior Ashlea Thornton (Glendora, Calif. / Cal Baptist), the first Coyote to earn Player of the Week honors this season.  Thornton led the way with 23 kills in the win over Northwest on Friday night, averaging over five kills and three digs per game during the week.

 

‘YOTES HOT HOME STREAK: With Cascade Conference wins over Northwest and Evergreen, the Albertson volleyball team upped their school-record home win streak to 12 matches.  Albertson has not lost on their home court since an October 25, 2003 loss to Concordia.  The Lady ‘Yotes, who are 8-0 at home, equaled the 1998 club that won eight-in-a-row in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center.  The school-record for consecutive home wins to start as season is nine, set during the 1999 season

 

COYOTES STAY PAT IN REGIONAL POLL: Despite having won seven of their last eight matches, the Lady ‘Yotes remained in the No. 6 spot in the NAIA Region I top-ten rankings for the second consecutive week.  Southern Oregon (No. 10) is No. 1 in the region, followed by Carroll (No. 20), Montana Tech, Western Baptist, Oregon Tech, and the ‘Yotes.  Northwest, Concordia, Montana State-Northern, and Rocky Mountain round out the top-ten.

 

LAST TIME IN THE NATIONAL POLL: Albertson last received votes in the NAIA poll during the 2001 season – a year after making their lone National Tournament appearance.  The ‘Yotes began 2001 ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll, dropped to No. 19 in the first regular-season poll, and have not been ranked since.

 

BIG WIN OVER NORTHWEST: Albertson sought revenge on Friday night for a loss to Northwest earlier in the season, and behind Ashlea Thornton’s game-high 23 kills, the ‘Yotes ran to a 30-25, 30-32, 30-26, 30-19 victory.  Albertson used a .529 hitting percentage in Game 4 to put away the Eagles, as Thornton was nearly unstoppable, putting away seven kills in nine swings without an error.  Game 1 was a see-saw affair that had the Eagles taking a 23-21 lead.  However, four of Northwest's seven errors in the game ensued in an Albertson 9-2 run to end the frame.  The visitors would rally to take Game 2, then watch Albertson ride the block of freshmen Anne Parker (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS) and Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS) to a Game 3 win.  Parker finished with 13 kills and eight blocks, while Hogue had 12 kills and seven blocks.  The Coyotes had five players with double-digit digs, led by the 23 of Kahli Mann (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS).  Jenn Luchini (Cataldo, Idaho / Kellogg HS) added a career-high 19 digs to go with two aces.

 

SNOOZER VS. THE MOLLUSKS: A season-high 15 aces and a .352 attack percentage helped the Lady ‘Yotes to a quick 30-17, 30-14, 30-12 win over Evergreen on Saturday.  Charity Gaston (Harrisonburg, Va. / James Madison Univ.) had ten of the Coyotes 43 kills on the night, and led the way with a .571 hitting percentage.  Michelle Riordan (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) added seven kills, while Kimberly Horn (Notus, Idaho / Treasure Valley CC) came off the bench with six kills and four aces.

 

RECORD WATCH: The Albertson College individual single-season and career top-ten lists are seeing some reshuffling, courtesy of the 2004 Lady ‘Yote volleyballers.  Kahli Mann is making a big splash, currently on pace to shatter the digs per game in a season record, currently averaging 5.13 digs a game, well ahead of the 4.40 mark set by Tara Daniel in 1997.  Her 359 digs this season is nearing the single-season top-ten, with six regular-season matches to go.  Mann has also climbed into the all-time top-ten in aces with 105, good enough for sixth-place, four behind Brecia Gamett and fifth, and is tenth all-time in digs (732).  Erin Cherrington has moved into fourth-place on the career assist list with 1,598, while Jenn Luchini ranks tenth all-time in aces with 87. 

 

TWO WINNABLE GAMES, BUT YOU HAVE TO WIN THEM: In football, they call them trap games – games against opponents with losing records with big games looming in the distance.  The Coyotes have a trio of them looking them straight in the eye, two of them this week in Portland.  Albertson meets Cascade College on Friday night, a team that the Lady ‘Yotes handled easily earlier in the month.  The T-Birds (5-13, 1-12 CCC) have struggled in league play, winning their lone match against winless Evergreen.  Albertson must watch out for the lone all-star candidate on Cascade, Danielle Selvidge (3.53 k/g, 0.98 b/g), a solid middle blocker.  The Coyotes are 16-4 all-time against Cascade, including 15 in a row.  Saturday night, Warner Pacific will issue a challenge, as the Knights (6-14, 4-9) upset Concordia in four games last weekend.  The key for the ‘Yotes is to have a nice blocking night, as they did earlier in the month – forcing Warner into a –.017 hitting performance.  Orejeona LaFever (2.86 k/g, 0.78 b/g) is the Knights go-to player, and had 17 kills in the win over Concordia.  Albertson has not lost to WPC in 14 previous meetings.

 

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Only Southern Oregon has clinched a berth in the six-team Cascade Conference Tournament.  Northwest, Albertson, Western Baptist, Concordia, and Oregon Tech can all sew up spots with one win this weekend, or a loss by Warner Pacific.  The league champion will host both the CCC and NAIA Region I Tournaments (the regional was to be played in Spokane, Wash. – but scheduling conflicts with Gonzaga University has moved the tournament back to a campus site).

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2004 volleyball team can be found on the Albertson volleyball official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm.  Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball/stats/standings.htm.

 

WOMEN’S SOCCER (1-14, 1-8): Season comes to a close with  home matches against Concordia and Evergreen

 

LAST WEEK: at Western Baptist (L 4-1)

 

COMING UP: vs. Concordia, Friday, 3 p.m.; vs. Evergreen, Saturday, 1 p.m.

 

LADY ‘YOTES FALL AT WESTERN BAPTIST: Playing a team that had won 15 consecutive matches times against them is not a fun task, but that is what the Albertson women’s soccer team faced last Saturday at Western Baptist.  The Lady ‘Yotes did put a bit of a scare into the South Division’s first-place team, but dropped a 4-1 decision in Salem.  After Western took a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute on a penalty kick, the Coyotes quickly tied the game up, when Leah Roach (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) slotted home a Jennifer Phillips (Ontario, Ore. / Ontario HS) pass in the 26th minute.  But that would be all the excitement for the road team, as Western would tack on three goals, own a 30-5 shot advantage in the win.

 

LOOKING AT THE POSTSEASON RACE: Speaking of the playoff race, although the Lady ‘Yotes have been eliminated from the postseason, only two of the four Cascade Conference Tournament slots have been filled.  Both Concordia and Western Baptist will host first-round games, but their opponents are up in the air.  Evergreen holds a four-point lead on third-place Eastern Oregon in the North, with the two teams meeting on Friday.  Eastern must win, then top Concordia, with the Greeners either losing or tying at Albertson to claim the second spot – if not, The Green heads to the playoffs.  Similar scenario in the South, where three teams – Southern Oregon, Warner Pacific, and Oregon Tech are all mathematically alive.  Southern can clinch a spot with a win Friday over Warner, or by defeating Cascade and losing to the Knights by less than four goals.  WPC must defeat Southern and OIT to remain in the hunt – topping SOU by more than four goals if the Raiders beat Cascade.  WPC could also advance if the Knights defeat Southern and tie Tech, with SOU losing its two final games.  The only way OIT makes it to the playoffs is if Southern loses their final two games and OIT sweeps Cascade and Warner Pacific.

 

REGIONAL RANKINGS: The second to last NAIA Region I rankings were released on Monday, with Concordia (No. 4 in NAIA) and Simon Fraser (No. 6 in NAIA) still ruling the roost.  That looks to change next week, as SFU defeated Concordia, 2-0, on Sunday in Vancouver.  Carroll (No. 21) is still ranked third, followed by Western Baptist and Rocky Mountain.

 

FINAL GAMES FOR SENIOR: The youthful Lady ‘Yotes will lose just one senior from the 2004 team – with this weekend being her final home games of her soccer career.  Lynnette Jacome (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS) has seen action in 46 career games, and has started all 15 matches this season.  She has three career assists to her credit, including one this season.

 

ABOUT OPPONENTS: The Lady ‘Yotes could figure in the postseason race, if Eastern Oregon gets a win on Friday.  Before then, Albertson must figure out how to stop Concordia, a team that has run roughshod on the Cascade Conference for many years.  The Cavs (13-1-2, 8-0-1 CCC) have not lost a conference tilt in nearly three seasons, and have dominated Albertson lately - having won 14 straight matches since the mid-1990s, including a 5-2 decision in September.  Grant Landy’s club is led by Jennifer Hughes (13 goals, seven assists), while keeper Lela Mansfield (0.57 GAA) has been the class of the CCC this season.  Last year, the Cavaliers advanced to the national semifinals, where they were defeated by eventual national champion, Westmont.  It is the 22nd meeting between the teams, with the Cavs holding a commanding 15-2-4 advantage.  Saturday should be interesting, as Evergreen comes calling – a game that could mean something to the Geoducks, or just a match they could be looking past toward the playoffs.  The Clams (6-8-2, 6-2-1) have had a weird season dropping 6-of-7 non-league tilts (with one tie), yet playing very well in CCC play, including a tie of Concordia.  The Greeners have been led by speedy Alisha White (11 goals, one assist), along with returner Kaylen Kelley (five goals, one assist) – while keeper Carly Stewart (1.56 GAA) has been solid.  Symms Field has not been kind to the Geoducks, as the Lady ‘Yotes have handed Evergreen losses in Caldwell two of the last three years.  The visitors, however, hold a 12-6 edge in the all-time series.
 

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: The Albertson soccer teams would like to thank the sponsors who will made the 2004 media guide a success – Carmody Real Estate, Sport Shoppe, Fairview Service Center TuneTech, Idaho Power, Domino’s Pizza, Intermountain Community Bank, Meridian Dental, Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, Tolsma Auto Body, Family Vision, Performance Chevrolet, Bodybuilding.com, and GlenCo Construction.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2004 women’s soccer team can be found on Albertson women’s soccer official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmenssoccer.htm.  Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wsoccer/stats/standings.htm.

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Season Preview

 

The Branson Belle is still on the Albertson men’s basketball team’s mind as the Coyotes head into the 2004-05 season.  The squad, which last season won their first Cascade Conference title since 1996, and their third league tournament title in four years, feels there is some unfinished business left.  Despite three trips to the NAIA Division II National Tournament, the ‘Yote players are yearning to see the aforementioned Belle (site of the Final Four banquet in Missouri) after years of close calls.

 

The 2003-04 season was a magical run for Albertson, led by CCC player-of-the-year, Tom Perkes.  The No.3 ranked ‘Yotes had a 26-3 record during the regular-season against NAIA competition, including three wins over eventual national champion, Oregon Tech.  The squad had other big wins over William Jewell, Robert Morris, and Westminster – teams which qualified for national play.  However, Perkes, two-guard Andy Harper, and defensive stopper Justin McCarthy are all gone – leaving fifth-year head coach Mark Owen with definite holes in the line-up.

 

Owen, who needs two wins to reach the 100-victory plateau in his career, knows that his club will be run by one of the top point-guards in the nation.  Senior Joe Green (7.0 ppg, 4.8 apg) earned All-CCC and All-CCC Defensive Team honors last year, leading the entire NAIA in assist-to-turnover ratio.  The steady Green, a three-year starter who played some of his best basketball during the postseason, also became the first player in school history to record more than 100 steals in a season.

 

Joining Green in the backcourt is senior E.J. Costello (12.6 ppg), who was tabbed CCC Newcomer of the Year by the league coaches.  Costello is a weapon from outside the arc, leading the ‘Yotes with 87 three-point baskets last season.  Joining Costello in the three-guard scheme is Derek Brown (6.6 ppg), who has been a key role-player during his first two seasons on the Caldwell campus.  Brown led the team in three-point percentage (.579) as a sophomore and tied a school-record with a 5-for-5 performance from outside the arc against Rocky Mountain.

 

Returners Zach Rasmussen (2.5 ppg), the lone four-year member of the Coyotes, along with fellow seniors Lance Hansen (1.2 ppg) and Eric Howard (2.1 ppg), will vie for playing time.  Rasmussen and Hansen are capable of putting up big numbers from outside the arc, while Howard is known for his ability to take the ball to the basket.  Also in the mix at guard are a pair of former high school all-stars, freshmen Josh Owen (16.9 ppg in HS) and Justin Fried (21.8 ppg in HS).  Owen, the son of the ‘Yotes head coach, was the top 4A player in Idaho last year, while Fried was the top 3A player in 2001.

 

Post Steve Humphreys (8.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg) is the lone returner on the frontline for Albertson – and continues to rehab a knee injury that shelved him for six games early in the 2003-04 season.  Humphreys led the squad with 45 blocked shots last season, and averaged 17 points a game in three meetings with Oregon Tech.

 

A pair of newcomers will help Humphreys in the paint.  Boise State transfer Richard Fried (1.6 ppg at BSU), older brother of the ‘Yotes freshman guard, will give Albertson a strong defensive presence, while providing a soft shooting touch.  Big Bend CC transfer Dan McFaul (13.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg at BBCC), a player similar to the departed Perkes, will be looked upon to help in the scoring and rebounding column.

 

For the second consecutive season, the Coyotes will have one of the premier small-college schedules in the nation – although none of the 11 preseason games are against NAIA Division II clubs.  Albertson will play two NCAA Division I teams – Boise State and Weber State, along with two NCAA Division II clubs – Adams State and their first meeting with rival Northwest Nazarene since 2001.  The ‘Yotes have moved their annual Golden Rule Shoot-Out to November, and will face both Westminster and former NAIA champion Willamette in the tourney.  The club will face four other NAIA Division I teams – Point Loma Nazarene, Christian Heritage, Montana-Western, and Montana Tech to round out the early games.

 

This year, the Cascade Conference looks to be a dogfight to the finish – with nearly every club a possible contender.  Leading the way is Oregon Tech, who returns two starters from last season’s run through the NAIA Tournament.  Also in the fray is Southern Oregon, the lone CCC team to defeat the ‘Yotes last season.  The Raiders return the dangerous Shea Washington, runner-up to Perkes in the player of the year balloting.  Western Baptist returns all-stars Eric Fiegi and Jeff Dunn, while Concordia returns the dangerous Brandon Erlandson.  Northwest returns their entire starting-five after a playoff appearance last season, while Warner Pacific should be much improved – thanks to a solid recruiting class.  Evergreen is a question mark, but always dangerous, while Eastern Oregon and Cascade look to be in rebuilding mode.

 

The 2004-05 ‘Yotes look eerily similar to the 2000-01 and 2002-03 teams, in which a bulk of new players had to learn the Coyote system early.  But if history can repeat itself, the Albertson squad could have a chance come March to make their Branson Belle dreams come true.

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Season Preview

 

As the 2004-05 women’s basketball season dawns at Albertson College, a new look and new feel to the club will be apparent to all.  Having graduated eight seniors from last year’s 8-17 club that advanced to the first-round of the Cascade Conference Tournament, one would think that the Lady ‘Yotes would be in rebuilding mode.  Head coach Reagan Rossi thinks of it more as reloading.

 

Despite the lopsided record, the 2003-04 squad were in nearly every game – losing six games by seven-or-less points, the difference between a .500 mark and a sub-par season.  Gone is All-Conference guard Heidi Goicoechea, a three-year starter, the Coyotes all-time leader in scoring.  Also departing were seniors Krystal Thacker, Carley Williams, and Alyssa Latham, who shared time at the point, senior forwards Lindsey Karren, Sarah Wilkin, and Michelle Dyreng, along with sophomore shooter, Dani Cotterell.

 

Instead of experience, the Lady ‘Yotes will rely on youthfulness and tenacity this season.  The team is built around more around team-speed, utilizing a more up-tempo style of play than in years past.  The roster is split nearly half-and-half – with six upperclassmen (only two seniors) and five youngsters (but only one true freshman).

 

The key component for club is senior post, Kasey Hooter (8.7 ppg, 9.4 rpg), who earned honorable mention All-CCC honors last year.  The 6-0 Hooter was a dominant force in the paint during conference play, averaging nine points and ten rebounds per game in league play.  She set a new school-record and ranked in the top-five nationally in field goal percentage (.609).

 

Around Hooter in the paint, the Lady ‘Yotes have options.  Transfer Desirae Bourdeaux (8.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg), out of Western Wyoming CC, is the tallest player on the team and has soft hands and a soft touch around the basket.  Another post player, Ann Linville, is only a sophomore, but has matured as a player after a year in the program. 

 

The Coyotes have a pair of combo threats in transfer Valissa Sneck (12.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg), who had a nice career at Sheridan CC and returner, Kim Strunk (3.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg).  Sneck can play inside-outside, with the ability to run the floor, giving the ‘Yotes different looks.  Strunk has been a mainstay off the bench during her first two seasons, giving Albertson crucial minutes and providing a solid rebounding threat.

 

The Coyotes must break in a new point guard, but return two players with the potential to be starters.  Junior Angie Gribble, a two-sport athlete, along with redshirt-sophomore Annie Roeser, each are competing for the job.  Gribble has seen more game experience in her two seasons, while Roeser is finally at 100-percent after battling injuries during each of her first two seasons.

 

The shooting guard positions will be the key spot for development this year.  Of the four players in the mix, none of the ladies have seen the floor in a Lady ‘Yote uniform.  Senior Melissa Murray has the potential to put up big numbers, but is still recuperating a knee injury that forced her to miss last season.  Redshirt freshman Libby Baker is young and has a good outside shot. 

 

Two newcomers look to make a splash as well.  Transfer Merilee Caldwell heads to Albertson a year removed from a season at Boise State, where she made 30-percent of her three-point shots.  Another guard, Magen Dufurrena, was named Nevada’s 3A Most Valuable Player – after leading her club to three consecutive state championship game appearances.

 

The Lady ‘Yotes will once again have a very tough preseason slate, beginning the year in Helena, Mont. – squaring off against Carroll College and Montana Tech.  A friendly with NCAA Division I Boise State, along with their rivalry game with Northwest Nazarene are both on the schedule.  Four tournaments dot the schedule, including the return of the Lady ‘Yote Classic, in which Albertson will meet Dominican and Westminster.  The squad will have three games against NAIA Division I competition in Salt Lake City in November (Montana-Western, Westminster, Great Falls), tournament games against NCAA Division III Whitman and Whitworth, a pair of tournament games against Walla Walla College, and a home counter against Concordia-Irvine, coach by former Lady ‘Yote boss, Todd Corman.

 

The Cascade Conference looks to be as young as the Lady ‘Yotes, as the race for two NAIA Division II tournament berths are wide open.  Eastern Oregon, who finished last season 26-3, must replace three starters – but return guards Christie Weaver and Jaime Jo Cant.  Warner Pacific, the league’s other national tournament participant, returns hot-shooting guard Angie Sun and post Becky VanTine.  Oregon Tech must replace three starters, but will have league MVP Nikki McElligott back for her senior season.  Western Baptist and Southern Oregon had solid recruiting classes, while Concordia and Cascade will each have their third head coach in three seasons.  Both Evergreen and Northwest will be question marks, as both clubs lost their go-to players to graduation.

 

With no clear-cut favorite to win the Cascade Conference in 2004-05, it should be a fun season of women’s basketball in the premier NAIA conference in the Northwest.  With solid development from the youngsters and leadership from the rest, the Lady ‘Yotes should be in contention for a fourth trip to Sioux City, Iowa come March.  

 

SWIMMING: Coyotes open new season next Saturday at Logger Classic (preview to come next week)

 

- ALBERTSON -