‘Yote Notes – Sept. 6, 2005

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

 

 

 

 

 

ATHLETIC NEWS:

COYOTE OPEN: The 21st Annual Coyote Open will take place at River Bend Golf Course on Friday, September 23.  To become a sponsor or to secure your team in the tournament, contact Dave Hahn at 459-5835.

 

NEW C.A.A. WEBSITE: For more information on the Coyote Athletic Association, visit the C.A.A.'s website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/caa.htm.

 

BASEBALL PLAYERS WIN GAME IN CANADA: A group of Albertson College baseball players are among those that competed for the Caldwell Coyotes in the 2005 Grand Forks International baseball tournament.  The squad won their final game on Wednesday, knocking off the semi-pro Victoria Mavericks, 7-0.  Greg Stalling went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Nate Freese added three RBI.  Caldwell finished the tournament with a 1-2 record, just missing a spot in the single-elimination bracket round.  Complete tournament coverage can be found at www.grandforksbaseball.com.

 

WOMEN’S SOCCER (3-1, 1-0 CCC): Lady ‘Yotes host Southern and Oregon Tech, off to best start since 1995; Dufault named CCC Player of the Week

 

LAST WEEK: at Cascade (W 5-0), exhibition vs. Alumni (W 5-1)

 

COMING UP: vs. Southern Oregon, Friday, 4 p.m.; vs. Oregon Tech, Saturday, Noon.

 

LADY ‘YOTES OPEN CCC PLAY WITH WIN AT CASCADE: Typically the first overnight trip for a young team is a difficult adjustment period – but not for the 2005 Albertson women’s soccer team.  The Lady ‘Yotes made the trip to Portland on Thursday, then dominated play at Cascade on Friday, handing the T-Birds their 33rd consecutive loss with a 5-0 Cascade Conference victory.  It took Albertson less than two minutes to find the net, as Laura Fink (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS) fed a streaking Allie Dufault (Irvine, Calif. / University HS) who flicked a ball past Cascade keeper Dani Ferris for a 1-0 lead.  Leah Roach (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) would add a pair of her goals later in the first half, tallying marks in the 30th and 43rd minute.  Dufault would strike again in the 72nd minute, this time on a feed from junior transfer Ryann Lagomarsino (Fair Oaks, Calif. / Sierra CC).  Adele Johnson (Riverton, Utah / Waterford HS) would cap the scoring with a one-time strike in the 83rd minute.  Keepers Candice Frank (Boise, Idaho / Rocky Mountain Coll.) and Danielle Dorsch (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS) each played 45 minutes in the contest, as Albertson held a decisive 20-1 shot advantage

 

DUFAULT NAMED CCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: For her efforts against Eastern Oregon and Cascade, freshman Allie Dufault was named Cascade Conference Player of the Week.  Dufault scored three goals and assisted on another in the Lady ‘Yotes two victories.  It was the first time that an Albertson women’s soccer player has won the award since Sept. 23, 2002 – when Becky Robertson earned the nod.

 

LAST BACK TO BACK SHUTOUTS?: Coupled with their 3-0 shutout of Eastern Oregon last Monday, it was the first time that the Albertson women’s soccer team had recorded consecutive shutouts since the 2000 season.  That year, the Lady ‘Yotes recorded three-straight shutouts (0-0 vs. Rocky Mountain, 2-0 vs. Oregon Tech, 1-0 vs. Southern Oregon) from Oct. 11-14, 2000.  During last season’s 1-16 campaign, Albertson did not hold an opponent scoreless.

 

OFF TO BEST START SINCE 1995: The 3-1 start for the Lady ‘Yotes in 2005 is the best start for the team since the 1995 season, when Albertson started the season 1-0-3.  That year, the Coyotes led the entire NAIA with just nine goals allowed – which is tenth on the NAIA all-time list.  The best start by an Albertson women’s soccer team was in 1993, when the Lady ‘Yotes opened the season 4-1 under Hiro Wantanabe.

 

COYOTE LEAGUE LEADERS: As a team, the Lady ‘Yotes lead the nine-team Cascade Conference in points per game (7.0), overall goals (11), goals per game (2.75), and assists (6).  The team is also third in the league in goals against average (0.75), after ranking eighth in the category during the 2004 season.

 

COYOTE LEAGUE LEADERS, PART 2: Individually, freshman striker Allie Dufualt finds herself atop the CCC in three different statistical categories – points per game (2.25), overall points (9), and goals (4).  Teammate, sophomore Leah Roach is right at her heals in the goals scored category with three, second in the CCC.  Keeper Candice Frank ranks fifth among league goalies with a 0.86 GAA.

 

SOUTHERN OREGON HEADS TO TOWN: Friday afternoon, the Coyotes play host to Southern Oregon in an key early-season CCC tilt.  The Raiders (1-2 in 2005) comes to Caldwell picked by the coaches as the No. 2 team in the South Division of the league, and fourth overall.  Jose Chavez returns the nucleus of a team that advanced to the conference tournament in 2004, including all-star forward Lisa Howard, who tallied a goal in the season-opening 2-1 win over Dominican.  Newcomer Dacarie Robertson also had a goal and an assist in the win.  Keeper Melanie Hopkins, who played high school soccer with a pair of Lady ‘Yotes, had a 2.19 GAA last season.  It is the ninth meeting between the teams, with Southern holding a 5-3 edge, including a 7-1 decision in Ashland last year.  However, the Raiders have lost 3-of-4 games in Caldwell.

 

HERE COME THE OWLS: On Saturday, Oregon Tech makes their second-straight weekend trip to the Treasure Valley.  Last weekend, the Owls (1-2 in 2005) played a pair of games at Northwest Nazarene, losing to the Crusaders, 2-1, then losing a 5-1 decision to Vanguard of California.  OIT is coming off their best season in school history (10-6-1), however, have a brand-new head coach in Bryan Mueller.  The Hooters are led by Becky Schwartz (1 goal, 6 assists in 2004), who has three goals and an assist this season, along with Lindsay Selle, who had 11 goals last year.  Tech was picked to finish fourth in the South Division and eighth overall in the preseason coaches’ poll.  It is the ninth meeting between the teams, with both clubs winning three games to go along with two draws.  OIT defeated Albertson, 2-0, in Klamath Falls, during the 2004 season.

       

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2005 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.

 

VOLLEYBALL (4-2, 1-1 CCC): Lady ‘Yotes head out on road after weekend split to open Cascade Conference play

 

LAST WEEK: vs. Evergreen (W 3-0), vs. No. 23 Northwest (L 3-1)

 

COMING UP: at Concordia, Friday, 7 p.m. (PDT); at Corban, Saturday, 7 p.m. (PDT)

 

COYOTES RAISE MONEY FOR HURRICANE RELIEF: Last weekend, the Albertson College volleyball team did not charge an admission price to home games vs. Evergreen and Northwest.  Instead, the Coyotes asked fans to donated to the American Red Cross’ Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.  Although only 100 or so fans came to each game, the Lady ‘Yotes were available to raise $376 that will go directly to the victims of the natural disaster.  Thanks Fans!!!

 

HOME STREAK ENDED: The Coyotes saw their home win streak come to an end on Saturday night with the four-game loss to Northwest.  It was the first time that Albertson had lost at home since Oct. 25, 2003 (against Concordia), a span of 678 days.

 

BUT FIRST, THE ‘YOTES BURIED THE CLAMS: On Friday night, Albertson had their most prolific offensive night in two years, knocking off Evergreen 30-16, 30-11, 30-24.  The Coyotes forced 32 attack errors by the Geoducks, and hit at a .382 clip, the highest percentage since a .385 night against Cascade in 2003.  Albertson also dominated the match at the net, recording six solo and 12 tandem blocks in the match.

 

EVERYONE GOT TO PLAY: The nice thing about the win over Evergreen was the fact that head coach Liz Mendiola was able to empty her bench.  All 15 members of the team played in at least one game during the win.

 

ELY LEADS THE WAY; Freshman Kathryn Ely (La Grande, Ore. / La Grande HS) had a big night against Evergreen, recording 11 kills in 16 swings for a .625 hitting percentage.  The youngster is averaging 2.7 kills a game, and ranks third on the team with ten aces.

 

TOUGH LOSS TO NORTHWEST: Solid defense and an ever-present block helped Northwest University erase an early deficit and knock off the ‘Yotes 22-30, 30-22, 30-25, 30-27 on Saturday night.  After recording just one block in the opening game, the Eagles recorded 26 block assists the rest of the way, shutting down the Albertson outside attack.  The Coyotes held a 12-5 lead in Game 3, but Sara Bendorf had six of her 19 kills in the set to rally Northwest.  It was the first time that the Eagles had won in Caldwell.

 

HARTMAN HAS MONSTER NIGHT: Lost in the loss to Northwest was one of the more dominating performances by a Coyote middle blocker in school history.  Senior Fran Hartman (Lakeview, Ore. / Lakeview HS) was nearly unstoppable; recording 18 kills on 27swings without an error.  The .667 hitting percentage is among the top in school history for players recording 15-or-more kills in a match.  Hartman also played well against Evergreen, recording nine kills and four blocks.  For the season, she is averaging 2.7 kills per match to go along with a .385 hitting percentage.

 

HOGUE TERROR ON OPPONENTS: Reigning Cascade Conference Freshman of the Year Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS) continues to be a thorn in the side of CCC opponents.  The sophomore had six kills and six total blocks (including two stuff blocks) in two games vs. Evergreen, then backed it up with 11 kills and nine total blocks (including three stuff blocks) in the loss to Northwest.  Hogue leads the team with 74 kills and 37 blocks on the season.

 

OFF TO THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY WE GO: The Coyotes head out on the road this weekend for a pair of key early CCC match-ups.  Albertson meets Concordia on Friday night, a team that they took a home-and-home series from last year for the first time since 1997.  The new-look Cavaliers (4-4) have competed in a pair of tournaments to begin the year, splitting matches at the Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) tourney and matches at their own Holiday Inn Classic.  Mari Lopes (3.12 k/g) leads the hitting attack, while libero Erin Blythe leads the CCC in digs per game (6.31).  Concordia holds a 17-15 all-time edge against the Coyotes.  Saturday will be the first meeting for an Albertson team against the newly named Corban College, which was formally Western Baptist.  The Warriors (0-4) are gunning for their first win of the season, after losing all four matches in Lewiston at the NAIA Region I Cross-Over.  Coach Tracy Smith had to replace All-American Kim Turin and Kendra Mitchell, with Chelsea Reeher (3.40 k/g) leading the way.  Corban knocked off the ‘Yotes in three games last year in Salem, but Albertson holds a 17-10 all-time edge.

 

TEAM STATS: As a team through the second week of play, the Lady ‘Yotes lead the Cascade Conference in blocks per game (2.56) and aces per game (3.08).

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2005 volleyball team can be found on 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.

 

 

MEN’S SOCCER (0-0): Coyotes embark on first-ever trip to California to open the 2005 regular-season

 

LAST WEEK: exhibition vs. Walla Walla CC (W 4-3), exhibition vs. Alumni (L 2-0)

 

COMING UP: at California Baptist, Friday, 3 p.m. (PDT); at The Masters, Saturday, 4 p.m. (PDT); at Hope International, Monday, 1:30 p.m. (PDT)

 

‘YOTES OPEN UP WITH EXHIBITION WIN OVER WALLA WALLA C.C.: Second-year head coach Brian Smith was overly pleased with the Coyotes’ play in the season opening scrimmage against Walla Walla Community College.  “It is night and day comparing where we are after the first scrimmage this year from last season,” Smith said after Albertson rallied for a 4-3 decision.  “This is the most close-knit team that I have seen in my career.”  The ‘Yotes fell behind 3-1 at the break, but used a penalty kick, a one-time blast from senior Joe Chandler (Nampa, Idaho / Nampa HS), and a late goal from junior all-star Mitch White (Boise, Idaho / Gonzaga U.) to get the win.

 

ALUMNI SHUTS OUT VARSITY: A group of nearly 20 alumni players, some dating back to the College of Idaho days, were in uniform on Saturday for the annual Alumni game at Symms Field – and for once, experience prevailed.  Coached by 18-year headmaster John Calpin, the alums scored a goal in each half and keeper Josh Sears recorded a shutout, as the Alumni blanked the varsity team, 2-0.  2005 graduate Brad Brooks opened the scoring with a one-time shot in the 32nd minute, while 2001 graduate Jared Larsen weaved through the ‘Yote defense in the 61st minute to make it 2-0.  Said Calpin after the match, “It was great to be out on the field coaching again.  It was great for us to help prepare our team for their non-conference schedule.”

 

MORE ON THE ALUMNI GAME: The game was not your typical soccer game, as the Alumni were allowed to have free, unlimited substitutions in the contest.  At one point, the alums had ten former All-Conference or All-America players on the field at one time – including Jared Larsen and Jake Carson who played professionally.  “I was very pleased with the game that the Alumni gave us today,” said Smith.  “When you are preparing for the schedule that we have coming up (three games in California, followed by a pair of games vs. Top-10 teams), you have to play the best.  Our alums were in shape and played a very physical brand of soccer, which caught our young players off guard.  It was a very good learning experience for the Coyotes and will help us in training toward our trip to California.”  A crowd of almost 200 watched the game, which was followed by a barbeque, courtesy of the Albertson College Alumni Office.

 

CARMODY HEALTHY, TO PLAY IN THE BACK: Coming out of high school, senior Shane Carmody (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) was one of the most prized recruits during the 2001 season, after being named the Idaho prep player of the year.  However, injuries have derailed Carmody’s career at Albertson, but now, as a redshirt senior, he is set to be the ‘Yotes key stopper in the back.

 

KEEPER BATTLE CONTINUES: Incumbent goalkeeper Ryan Huber (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) continues to be in a dogfight with junior transfer Rob Erichson (Boise, Idaho / Walla Walla CC) for the starting nod.  Huber played well in the scrimmages vs. WWCC and the Alumni, while Erichson showed some nerves in his debut – especially since it was against his former team.  “We will continue to use both keepers during the non-conference games and evaluate their progress,” Smith said.  “I know that whomever is in goal, I will have confidence in.”

 

CALIFORNIA DREAMING: For the first time in school history, the men’s soccer team heads South to California to play a trio of games.  In SoCal, Albertson will meet at trio of teams from the Golden State Athletic Conference, quite possibly the top NAIA soccer conference in the nation.  The trip opens with Cal Baptist, who struggled scoring last season, managing just 14 goals in 15 games.  The Lancers (2-1-2) opened up the season with wins over Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) and College of the Southwest (N.M.).  Game two has the ‘Yotes playing The Masters, who has three NAIA national tournament appearances.  The Mustangs (0-1) return All-GSAC forward Jared Thornton.  The trip ends with a match at Hope International, hoping to rebound from a 2-14 season.  The Royals (0-2) opened their season with a 5-0 loss at NCAA Division II Cal State-Los Angeles and a 2-1 loss at NCAA Division III Pomona-Pitzer.  It is the first time that the Coyotes have played any of the three teams.

 

PRESEASON CCC POLL: The Cascade Conference coaches picked Concordia to win their fourth-consecutive regular-season title in the preseason poll.  The Cavaliers were followed by Warner Pacific, Evergreen, and the Coyotes.  Corban, Northwest, and Cascade rounded out the ranking.  Interesting enough, despite being third in the league poll, Evergreen was ranked No. 9 in the NAIA preseason poll, thanks to their quarterfinal appearance at the 2004 NAIA national Championships.  Concordia received votes in the national poll.

                                                                      

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2005 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: ‘Yotes open up season in Nampa on Saturday

 

COMING UP: at Hampton Inn and Suites Fall Harrier Classic, West Park, Nampa, 10 a.m.

 

COYOTES SET TO RUN: The Albertson men’s and women’s cross country teams open up their second season on Saturday morning, making the six-mile trek to Nampa’s West Park for the Hampton Inn and Suites Fall Harrier Classic, hosted by Northwest Nazarene.  Teams expected to compete in the races include host NNU, Lewis-Clark State, Eastern Oregon, Boise State, Treasure Valley CC, the Bronco Running Club, and the Greater Boise Running Club.  Last year, the women’s team finished fifth and the men sixth in their first competition in nearly 30 years.

 

MEN’S OUT TO PROVE RANKING IS NO FLUKE: The men’s cross country team was pleasantly surprised with their No. 24 ranking in the NAIA preseason national poll.  Now it is time to prove that they are worthy of the accolade.  The Coyotes, led by David Fluckiger (Herisou, Switzerland / Va. Commonwealth), who placed 94th in the NAIA Championships, should be much improved.  The trio of Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) – who finished 200th at Nationals, Jacob Haas (Portland, Ore. / Eastern Oregon) – who competed at the Outdoor Track Nationals, and Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS) provide a solid nucleus in the 2-3-4 positions.  They will be pushed, however, by freshmen Sam Hardy (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS), Corey Kniep (Shoshone, Idaho / Shoshone HS), and Oliver Rosales (Caldwell, Idaho / Vallivue HS), along with returners Tyler Gross (Buffalo, N.Y. / Springfield-Griffith Institute) and Chris Rifer (Portland, Ore. / Sunset HS).  The men’s team is 12-deep heading into the opening event.

 

WOMEN LOOK TO IMPROVE ON 2004 MARKS: The women’s cross country team had an outstanding inaugural season, placing fifth at the Cascade Conference meet, and sending top runner Shannon Edwards (Sherwood, Ore. / Eastern Oregon) to the NAIA Championships.  Edwards will lead the ‘Yotes, who return Natalie Hatch (Emmett, Idaho / Willamette U.), Meaux Dilley (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS), Megan Longo (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho / Coeur d’Alene HS), and Genny Gerke (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) in the middle of the pack.  Also expected to be in the scoring group this year is transfer Amy Coulter (Boise, Idaho / Willamette U.) and newcomer Megan Haenszel (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS).  The women’s team is ten-deep heading into the opening meet.

 

COYOTES TO HOST A MEET: Put October 22nd on your calendar, as the Albertson College cross country team will host their first-ever meet in Caldwell.  The 5,000-meter women’s race and the 8,000-meter men’s race will be run on the Albertson campus, with a two kilometer loop winding through the institutions acreage.  The start-finish line will be near the Village Apartments, next to the Coyote softball field, off Ash Street.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information on the 2005 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. 

 

 

- ALBERTSON -