Yote Notes – Sept. 11, 2007

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

ATHLETIC NEWS: Coyote Open, CCC Golf, Baseball Alumni Game

GOLF TEAM TO HOST FALL TOURNAMENT: The ACI golf team will begin play in the newly formed Cascade Conference golf division this fall, hosting a 54-hole event on next Monday and Tuesday at River Bend Golf Course.  Concordia, Corban, and Northwest Christian join the Yotes as members of the CCC, while it is expected that Treasure Valley CC and Northwest Nazarene will also compete in the event.  The four CCC teams will play two fall and two spring events, along with the NAIA Region I Tournament to determine the league champion.

COYOTE OPEN SET FOR SEPTEMBER 28: The 24th Annual Coyote Open Golf Tournament is set for Friday, September 28, at Falcon Crest Golf Club in Kuna.  Year in and year out one of the top events in the Treasure Valley, the Coyote Open has 175 players and over 110 sponsors per year that help support athletics at Albertson College of Idaho.  To secure your spot in the tournament for yourself or your team, or to support the tournament as a sponsor, contact Dave Hahn at 459-5835 or go online at https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/media/_secure/coyoteopen.asp.

BASEBALL ALUMNI GAME SET FOR SEPTEMBER 29: The annual Albertson College of Idaho baseball alumni game has been scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29, at Simplot Stadium in Caldwell.  A home run derby will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the game to begin around 1 p.m.  For alumni and their families, food and drinks will be provided throughout the day - with a $30.00 fee per player to help pay for t-shirts, derby prizes, and the post-game barbeque.  For more information, contact head coach Shawn Humberger at 459-5861 or shumberger@collegeofidaho.edu.

NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE COYOTE FAMILY: Last week, associate head baseball coach and J.A. Albertson Activities Center Manager Josh Hegstad and his wife Pamela celebrated the birth of the latest additions to their family – son Jack and daughter Greta. From the ACI Family – congratulations Josh and Pamela!!!

CROSS COUNTRY: Helm sets school record as Lady Yotes defeat EOU and NNU, ACI Men place third

LAST WEEK: at Hampton Inn Fall Harrier Classic – Men (3rd of 5 teams), Women (2nd of 4 teams)

COMING UP: Co-host Bob Firman Invitational, Eagle Island State Park, Sept. 22.

LADY YOTES OPEN WITH IMPRESSIVE TIMES: The Albertson College of Idaho women’s cross country team was expected to be much improved for the 2007 season – which made the race at the Hampton Inn Classic that much sweeter. The Lady Yotes placed all five scoring runners in the Top-25, as ACI took home a second-place finish – their highest in a multi-field race in program history. A close look at the times tells the story – as the Top-5 returning runners were well under their times on the identical course from last season: Molli Lee-Painter (Moscow, Idaho / Moscow HS) placed 14th in 15:30 (34 seconds faster than 2006), Lauren Plymire (Beaverton, Ore. / Eastern Oregon U.) placed 17th in 15:35 (64 seconds faster), Chantel Varland (Meridian, Idaho / Mountain View HS) placed 20th in 15:55 (59 seconds faster), Stephanie Sparks (West Jordan, Utah / Juan Diego HS) was 21st in 16:01 (38 seconds faster), and Genny Gerke (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) was 25th in 16:09 (48 seconds faster).

HELM SHATTERS RECORD: The returners times were outstanding, but Stephanie Helm (Challis, Idaho / Challis HS) had the most amazing time. Running her first collegiate race, the freshman placed fifth overall – behind two unattached runners and two NCAA qualifiers, destroying the ACI school record over the 4,000-meter course with a time of 14:30 – 40 seconds faster than Shannon Edwards traversed the course in 2005. In fact, Helm’s time would have won the race last season. Also running well was fellow freshman Kristine Smith (New Meadows, Idaho / Meadows Valley HS), who placed 24th in 16:09, and first-time cross country runner Jayne Saunders (Emmett, Idaho / Emmett HS), who was 29th in 16:24.

DOWN GOES EASTERN, DOWN GOES NNU: Along with the individual accolades, the Lady Yotes were able to defeat rivals Eastern Oregon and Northwest Nazarene for the first time. ACI had met Eastern 13 previous times, with the Mountaineers topping the Lady Yotes each time, with NNU defeating the women on seven occasions. This time, it was all Coyotes, with ACI earning 59 team points, NNU 69, and EOU 90 – with Boise State winning the title with 24 points.

STRUGGLE AT TOP HURTS COYOTES IN MEN’S RACE: The Coyotes were not as fortunate on the men’s side, as ACI placed third overall – behind Boise State and Eastern Oregon. Although the times by the Yotes top two runners – Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS) placing seventh in 19:14 and Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) placing ninth in 19:20 , were comparable to last season, they were defeated by 20 seconds by EOU’s top two, hurting the team score. The battle for the remaining scoring positions was not tight, as Geoff Williams (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) placed 12th in 19:39, Sam Hardy (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) placed 13th in 19:41, and freshman Paul Sartin (Meridian, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) was 18th in 19:54 – with the remaining Yotes at least a half minute behind.

NATIONAL RANKINGS?: It is conceivable that both the ACI men and women could earn an NAIA Top-25 ranking when the next poll is released on Wednesday. The Coyote men are currently ranked No. 14 in the NAIA – but will drop in the poll due to their loss to Eastern on Saturday.

REGIONAL RANKINGS: Both the ACI men and women were in the Top-5 of their respective NAIA Region I Top-10 polls, released Monday. The men’s team fell one spot to No. 3 following their performance in Nampa on Saturday. Lewis-Clark State holds the top spot, followed by Eastern, ACI, Simon Fraser, and Southern Oregon. British Columbia, Northwest Christian, Carroll, and Great Falls round out to men’s ranking. On the women’s side, the Lady Yotes are the top Cascade Conference team in the poll, jumping two spots to No. 4. Powerhouse Simon Fraser continues to hold the No. 1 spot, followed by British Columbia, Lewis-Clark State, ACI, and Northwest. Rounding out the Top-10 are Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, Evergreen State, Corban, and Concordia.

HOSTING THE REGIONAL: For the first time, ACI will play host to a major cross country meet, as the Coyotes are the host institution for the Cascade Conference Championships. The event will be Oct. 20 at Eagle Island State Park – and is sponsored by Bandanna Running and Walking of Boise. For fans attending the race, an admission charge of $5.00 per person ($3.00 for seniors/students) will be charged, while the Idaho State Parks Department will charge a nominal fee for parking.

A WEEK OFF: The Yotes will take a week off to prepare for next weekend’s Bob Firman Invitational in Eagle. The race will serve as a preview meet for the CCC Championships and the NCAA Division II West Regional and will bring ACI, Eastern Oregon, Concordia, and Lewis-Clark State together for the first time (along with NNU, Chico State, Boise State).

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI cross country program, head to the official homepage of the Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm.

VOLLEYBALL (4-6, 2-0 CCC): Yotes open CCC play with two wins, Ely and Everist earn weekly honors, ACI hits road for four games

LAST WEEK: vs. Southern Oregon (W 3-0), vs. Oregon Tech (W 3-0)

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

ELY NAMED CCC PLAYER OF THE WEEK: For the second time in her career, outside hitter Kathryn Ely (La Grande, Ore. / La Grande HS) was named Cascade Conference Player of the Week. The junior averaged over five kills per game in the Coyotes two wins – including a season-high 18 kills in the victory over Southern Oregon.

EVERIST SETS MARKS, NAMED REGIONAL LIBERO OF THE WEEK: With a school record set and a career record achieved, Catherine Everist (Portland, Ore. / Chicago State U.) was named CCC and NAIA Region I Libero of the Week. The senior set a school record in Friday night’s win over Southern Oregon, recording 35 digs in the victory – the most digs in a three-game match in ACI history (eclipsing her own mark of 34, set last season). During the same match, Everist became the tenth Lady Yote to break the 1,000 dig mark in her career – finishing the weekend with 1,024 digs. She averaged a staggering nine digs per match over the weekend.

STREAKS CONTINUE: ACI kept a pair of long streaks alive over the weekend – extending marks for home wins and non-ranked teams. The Lady Yotes have now won 27 games in a row in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center, dating back to the 2005 season. They have also won 46 games in a row against teams not receiving votes in the NAIA poll – dating back to August of 2005.

MORE ON PLAYING AT HOME: The Lady Yotes have enjoyed much success in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center over the last 12 years, compiling a 120-36 record in the building – winning 77-percent of their matches. Over the last three seasons, ACI has a staggering 39-2 record at home, including the current 27-match home win streak. Under Liz Mendiola, the Lady Yotes have a 68-12 record in the JAAC.

YOTES STOP SOUTHERN IN THREE: ACI opened their home season with a 30-25, 30-20, 30-22 victory over Southern Oregon on Friday night. The Yotes use a three-point push at 23-23 to take control of Game 1.  Aces by Ashley Galeai (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) and Tiffany Sower (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) helped close out Southern.  ACI never trailed in Game 2, as a pair of Kathryn Ely and Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS) kills, part of a 7-0 run, gave the Yotes a 22-14 edge and were never threatened.  Game 3 saw SOU tie the score at 7-7, but three attack errors and a Coyote ace gave ACI the lead for good. Ely led the Coyote attack with 18 kills, with Hogue blasting ten spikes and eight total blocks.  Galeai had a match-high 41 assists in the win, with freshman Madie Machurek (Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS) recording 14 digs and three aces.

RECENT DOMINANCE OF SOU: The win over Southern was the sixth-straight by ACI over their rivals. Prior to 2003, ACI did not have much success against SOU – the Yotes had never won a match at SOU – and has now won three times in Ashland, Furthermore, the Coyotes had won just 9-of-60 previous meetings with Southern until the current streak.

ACI WALLOPS TECH: The Yotes never trailed Saturday, using a season-high .406 hitting percentage to defeat Oregon Tech, 30-20, 30-17, 30-16. ACI used a 7-1 run, keyed by a pair of Kathryn Ely kills to win Game 1.  Game 2 saw the Yotes record six of their season-high 13 aces in the win, then used an 11-0 run early in Game 3 to take a 15-3 edge and coast to the win.

Ely led the Yotes offensively for the second consecutive night, recording 13 kills, with Katie Hogue adding 11 kills and two aces.  Naomi Reimer (Killarney, Man. / Killarney SS) had 26 assists, while Catherine Everist led the defensive with 19 digs.

NAIA POLL: Despite the 4-6 start to the season, ACI remained among the elite teams in the NAIA, as the first regular-season national poll was released last Wednesday. The Lady Yotes fell five spots to No. 11 – while all eight opponents the Purple and Gold played during the preseason are in the Top-25 (No. 1 Fresno Pacific, No. 5 Biola, No. 6 National American, No. 7 Point Loma Nazarene, No. 8 Westminster, No. 16 Savannah A&D, No. 20 Vanguard, No. 25 Great Falls). Receiving votes in the poll from the Region I were Southern Oregon and Montana Tech. The NAIA Top-25 will be released each Wednesday afternoon during the regular-season.

PREVIOUS NATIONAL POLLS: The Coyotes have been ranked in the Top-25 on 19 occasions in program history – the second (No. 24) and third (No. 19) polls of the 1997 season, the preseason (No. 15) and first poll (No. 19) of the 2001 season, the final poll during the 2005 season (No. 24), the preseason poll and all 11 rankings during the 2006 season, the 2007 preseason poll., and this week’s poll. In all, ACI has been ranked in the last 14 tabulations released by the NAIA.

REGIONAL POLL: The second NAIA Region I Top-10 ranking was released on Monday, with the Yotes holding steady in the No. 2 spot. Westminster remains the top team in the region, followed by the Coyotes, Great Falls, Southern Oregon, and Montana Tech. The next five include Concordia, Lewis-Clark State, Carroll, Eastern Oregon, and Oregon Tech. The regional poll will be released each Monday afternoon during the regular-season.

RECORD BOOK: Five Coyotes continued their climb up the career record book. Katie Hogue ranks second all-time in blocks (449), fourth in kills (1,123), and sixth in aces (148) – needing just 22 blocks to set the school record. Anne Parker (Pocatello, Idaho / Century HS) is fifth all-time in blocks (317) and is tenth in kills (759), with Kathryn Ely now eighth on the all-time kills list (952), needing 48 spikes to become the seventh member of the 1,000-kill club. Tiffany Sower is now fifth all-time in aces (158) and is eighth in digs (1,020), while teammate Catherine Everist is seventh in digs (1,024).

CONFERENCE / NATIONAL STATISTICS: As a team, the Yotes lead the CCC in digs per game (18.1), are second in blocks per game (2.02), are third in hitting percentage (.179) and kills per game (13.1), and are fourth in assists per game (11.9) and aces per game (2.0). Individually, Catherine Everist leads the league in digs per game (5.71), with Sarah Buhler (Middleton, Idaho / Middleton HS) ranking second in the CCC in blocks per game (1.27). Ashley Galeai is fifth in assists per game (7.37), with Katie Hogue ranking ninth in blocks per game (0.95) and tenth in attack percentage (.247). On the national level, Everist is 33rd in digs per game.

LONG ROAD TRIP STARTS IN PORTLAND: The Lady Yotes will play their next four CCC counters on the road, beginning with a pair this weekend in Portland. ACI opens with upstart Warner Pacific, currently tied atop the league standings. The Knights (5-1, 2-0 CCC), who narrowly missed a playoff spot last season, are off to their best start in program history. Leading the way are outside hitters Marcy Oakland (3.8 k/g, 0.7 b/g) and Kara VanZanten (3.2 k/g, 3.6 d/g), along with setter Tara Andrews (10.3 a/g). ACI holds a commanding 22-2 all-time series lead, including the last 19 in a row. Saturday, ACI meets Cascade, trying to break out of a long losing streak. The Thunderbirds (0-4, 0-2) have lost their last 20 matches in a row and dropped their last 21 CCC tilts. They are led by the tandem of Meagan Stanley (2.4 k/g, 1.1 b/g) and Amanda Cochran (2.0 k/g, 2.3 d/g) – but have lost their last 20 matches in a row to the Yotes. ACI holds a 26-5 all-time series edge.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: This week, while ACI and Eastern Oregon head to Portland, Corban and Concordia will meet Northwest Christian, while Northwest and Evergreen State will travel to Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon. It will mark the first two matches of the season for Evergreen – as the Geoducks were forced to forfeit two CCC matches last week due to lack of players (due to illness and injury).

ABOUT THE COACH: Liz Mendiola is in her seventh season as the ACI head volleyball coach.  During her first six seasons at the helm, the Coyotes have advanced to six consecutive Cascade Conference tournaments, four NAIA regional tournaments, and back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Championships, amassing a record of 140-62, the most wins in school history. Last season, she led the Lady Yotes to their best season in program history, compiling a 35-4 record - earning CCC and NAIA Region I Coach of the Year honors.  ACI won their first Cascade Conference championship in 24 years, becoming just the second school to complete the league schedule without a loss.  The Coyotes also captured their second-straight CCC Tournament title, along with their second-straight NAIA Region I Tournament title, before placing ninth at the NAIA Championships.  Her team set a school-record with 22 straight wins and heads into the 2007 season with a 25-game home win streak and a 45-game win streak against non-ranked opponents, dating back to 2005. Mendiola was an assistant for the Coyotes on two separate occasions – from 1995-96 and from 1999-2000, before elevating to head coach. She has also coached club volleyball at Emmett High, for the Treasure Valley Volleyball Club, the Boise River Volleyball Club, and various camps in the Northwest. A native of Jerome, Mendiola graduated from ACI in 1996 with a degree in elementary education, and taught kindergarten in Nampa before becoming head coach in 2001. A two-year member of the Coyotes, Mendiola set school records for kills per game (4.86) in 1994, and holds the school mark for kills per game in a career (4.46). She earned All-CCC honors following her senior season with the Yotes. Mendiola is married to former Coyote baseball standout and current ACI softball coach Al Mendiola. The Mendiola’s have two children, Aleah and Micah, and live in Caldwell.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI volleyball program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm.

WOMEN’S SOCCER (3-3): Lady Yotes set to open home schedule this weekend with games against Northwest and Evergreen State

LAST WEEK: at Dixie State (L 4-0), at Westminster (W 2-0)

COMING UP: vs. Northwest, Friday, 2 p.m.; vs. Evergreen State, Saturday, Noon

SEASON PASSES: ACI soccer fans can avoid paying an admission charge at all home matches again this season by purchasing a season pass, good for all men’s and women’s soccer games at Symms Field. A single person season pass is just $20.00 (a savings of $45.00) for 13 games this season, with a family pass available for $50.00 (a savings of $154.00 for a family of four). To purchase the season pass, contact ACI SID Mike Safford at msafford@collegeofidaho.edu or (208) 459-5681. Single-game ticket prices are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors and students.

YOTES REMAIN FOURTH IN REGIONAL RANKING: For the second-straight week (and the second-time ever), the Lady Yotes were ranked fourth in the NAIA Region I Top-5 poll. Carroll College took over the top spot with their 1-0 victory over Concordia, with CU falling to the No. 2 slot. Simon Fraser is third, followed by the Yotes, and Rocky Mountain, whom ACI defeated 1-0 in August. The regional Top-5 is released each Monday, with the NAIA Top-25 poll released each Wednesday afternoon.

FIRST TIME KEEPER NOTCHES HUGE WIN: The trip for the Lady Yotes to Utah was stressful for head coach Niki Taylor, as injuries mounted in a hurry prior to Westminster Classic. Both regular goalkeepers – Sadie Hughes (Courtenay, B.C. / Vanier SS) and Amy Rhoades (Eagle, Idaho / Dixie State Coll.) were unable to make the trip due to injury and schedule conflicts, while emergency back-up Nikki Anderson (Citrus, Calif. / Sierra CC) was injured in practice and could not play. The squad took volunteers to see who would be in front of the cage – with Allie Dufault (Irvine, Calif. / University HS) stepping up to the test. Having only played in goal once long ago in youth soccer, the junior played all 180 minutes, recording 17 saves – including five crucial saves as ACI pitched a 2-0 shutout of Westminster on Sunday.

MORE ON THE WESTMINSTER WIN: Helping out the Coyote cause were a pair of goals, both involving Leah Roach (Boise, Idaho / Timberline HS) and Amanda Barrieau (Boise, Idaho / Capital HS). Roach, a senior, scored the game winner in the 30th minute, taking a Barrieau feed in the box and rifling into the net for the 1-0 lead.  ACI would get an insurance goal in the 73rd minute, as Barrieau, a true freshman, blasted a shot through the Griffins keeper for the final tally. "I am really pleased with the effort of our team today," said head coach Niki Taylor.  "We knew coming in that they had explosive players and our defense limited their chances.  And what can you say about Allie Dufault, what a great job." The Lady Yotes held an 11-6 edge in shots and a 9-3 edge in corner kicks, while not allowing Jen Perente, the Griffins top scorer with nine goals in six games, to take a shot – thanks to a great defensive job from seniors Katie Ball (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS) and Laura Fink (Boise, Idaho / Centennial HS).

DIXIE STATE FLEXES MUSCLES ON SATURDAY: Mikala Wilkes scored a pair of goals and assisted on a third, as Dixie State College upended ACI, 4-0, on Saturday. The second-year NCAA Division II program held a commanding 24-2 edge in shots, with Wilkes finding the goal in the 18th and 26th minutes of the first half, then assisting on an Erike Mouritsen goal in the 39th minute. “I think Dixie was the best team we faced during the preseason, and that says something – because Carroll, Rocky Mountain, and Northwest Nazarene were all very good teams,” said Taylor. “They had size at all positions and had outstanding pace – they should compete very well in their conference this season.”

FINALLY HOME GAMES: After playing the first three weekends of the season away from Caldwell, the Lady Yotes finally open up the Symms Field schedule this weekend. Making their first-ever trip to the Treasure Valley is Northwest, in their second season of intercollegiate competition. The Eagles (0-5-2) have had trouble finding the net this season, scoring just two goals in their seven matches against solid competition. – while being outshot, 116-48. All-CCC forward Shauna Marshall (2 goals) is their top offensive threat, while keeper Jasmine Yeldon (1.80 GAA) has kept NU in all but one match. It is the second meeting between the teams, as the two schools played to a 0-0 draw last season in Kirkland, Wash. Saturday, ACI gets their rematch with Evergreen State, the team that knocked the Yotes out of the CCC Tournament in 2006. The Geoducks (1-3) have had nearly two weeks to prepare for the match – after picking up their first win of the season in a 3-1 decision over Pacific Lutheran on Sept. 2. Coach John Purtteman is pulling double-duty, handing both the men’s and women’s squads – but has a solid crew to work with on the ladies side, thanks to Hannah Etengoff (2 goals), and former All-CCC selections Kate Green (1 goal) and Marissa Major. The two teams 2-1 split games in Olympia, Wash. last season, ACI winning in the regular-season, with the Geoducks winning in the playoffs. It is the 24th all-time meeting between the schools since 1992, with Evergreen holding a 15-7-1 edge.

ELSEWHERE AROUND THE LEAGUE: Concordia saw their stranglehold on the regional top spot lifted on Friday, as Carroll College topped the Cavaliers, 1-0, in overtime, on a neutral field in Couer d’Alene. CU bounced back and stopped Bellevue University of Nebraska, 2-0, on Sunday. Southern Oregon split a pair of matches in California, losing to Cal Baptist, but topping Menlo, 3-2 in overtime. Eastern Oregon and Corban both split matches in Montana – both winning at Great Falls, but losing to Carroll, while Oregon Tech logged a win at Lewis & Clark. This week, the ten-game CCC schedule opens with Northwest and Evergreen State heading east to ACI and Eastern Oregon, Corban and Warner Pacific traveling to Concordia and Cascade, with Northwest Christian meeting both Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech.

CONFERENCE / NATIONAL NUMBERS: As the non-conference schedules come to the close, the Lady Yotes continue to climb in the CCC statistical categories. As a team, ACI ranks second in the league with three shutouts, is fourth in assists per game, and fifth in both goals against average and total points. Individually, Leah Roach leads the league with two game winning goals and is fifth in both total points (5) and goals scored (2). Also among the league leaders is Jamie Reichel (Boise, Idaho / Boise HS), who is third in assists (2) and eighth in assists per game (0.33), with Amy Rhoades ranking second in both GAA (0.46) and save percentage (.933). This year the NAIA is requiring schools to report their statistics on a national basis each week – creating a national stats report. To access the women’s soccer national page, log onto the DakStats website at http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=WSO&sea=NAIWSO_2007&team=2300. Roach is the lone Lady Yote in the Top-50, ranking 21st in the NAIA in game winning goals.

ABOUT THE COACH: Niki Taylor is in her second season has head coach of the ACI women's program and has an overall record of 9-13-2. In her first season with the Coyotes, she helped to their fourth-ever postseason berth, losing the Evergreen State, 2-1, in the Cascade Conference playoffs.  A graduate of Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., Taylor was an honorable mention all-conference player for the Bulldogs in 1999 and 2000, helping the squad to an NCAA Division II regional championships.  She went on to assist coach Mike Cannon during the 2001 season, helping TSU to the regional finals, then moved West, where she was an assistant for Steve Lucas at Boise State for three seasons. She has also been involved with the Les Bois United Soccer Club for the past four years, while serving as a head coach in the Idaho Olympic Development Program.  Taylor has received her USSF "B" Coaching License.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI women’s soccer program, head to the official homepage of the Lady Yotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmenssoccer.htm.

MEN’S SOCCER (3-2, 0-1 CCC): Coyotes drop CCC opener but win at Whitman, open home schedule vs. Corban & NW Christian

LAST WEEK: at Cascade (L 2-1), at Whitman (W 4-3 OT)

COMING UP: vs. Corban, Friday, 4 p.m.; vs. Northwest Christian, Saturday, 2 p.m.

SEASON PASSES: ACI soccer fans can avoid paying an admission charge at all home matches again this season by purchasing a season pass, good for all men’s and women’s soccer games at Symms Field. A single person season pass is just $20.00 (a savings of $45.00) for 13 games this season, with a family pass available for $50.00 (a savings of $154.00 for a family of four). To purchase the season pass, contact ACI SID Mike Safford at msafford@collegeofidaho.edu or (208) 459-5681. Gameday prices are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for seniors and students.

ALUMNI HEADED BACK TO CALDWELL: With the annual alumni game pushed to the Yotes spring training sessions, ACI has selected this weekend as its “Alumni Weekend,” inviting all former Coyote men’s and women’s soccer players to Symms Field for the Cascade Conference matches. According to head coach Brian Smith, 22 former men’s players, 15 former women’s players, and longtime head coach John Calpin will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s match vs. Northwest Christian. “We know how much each of these players has given to ACI soccer in the past,” said Smith. “I think it is the least we can do to honor those individuals who paved the road to get Coyote soccer where it is today.”

YOTES TO OPEN HOME SCHEDULE: After opening the season with five road games, the Coyotes jump quickly into the CCC fray with back-to-back matches. Friday, rival Corban meets ACI on the Symms Field pitch, looking for revenge from a pair of Yote victories from 2006. The Warriors (2-2, 1-0 CCC) opened the season with wins over Great Falls and Northwest Christian, but are coming off losses in California to Westmont and Azusa Pacific. Corban has a potent attack, led by All-CCC selection, Caleb Louvier (3 goals, 3 assists), along with newcomer Ayouba Moussa (3 goals, 1 assist). It will be the 37th meeting between the teams, with ACI holding a slim 19-17 all-time series edge, dating back to 1984. Saturday, the Coyotes begin a new rivalry, as Northwest Christian makes their first-ever trip to Caldwell. The Beacons (0-4, 0-1 CCC), the newest member of the CCC, have struggled in their first full season as an NAIA member, as NCC has been outscored 17-1 in their four matches. Coach Chris Bolton has a roster of just 13 – which includes All-NWAACC selection Adam Hoffman, who was the top-scoring midfielder at Southwestern Oregon CC. It is the first-ever meeting between the teams.

LOPEZ NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK: The Coyotes have earned the Cascade Conference and NAIA Region I Offensive Player of the Week for the second-straight week, as midfielder Jesus Lopez (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) was honored by CCC information director, Sam Ghrist. The sophomore bent home a corner kick for the Yotes lone goal at Cascade on Saturday, then headed home his second game-winning overtime goal of the season in the win Sunday at Whitman. Lopez now has three goals and one assist on the season.

CASCADE ENDS LONG DROUGHT VS. ACI: A pair of headers off set pieces helped Cascade College upset the Coyotes, 2-1, in Portland on Saturday in the CCC opener for both teams. It marked the first win for the T-Birds in eleven tries, dating back to a 1-0 victory in the CCC Tournament during 2001 season. The hosts got on the board in the 21st minute, as Tim Danna headed home a free kick from 30-yards.  They would add the eventual winner in the 75th minute, as Kevin Youatt headed home an Edson Zacarias corner. ACI got a goal back in the 80th minute, as Jesus Lopez bent home a corner kick - but despite a 14-4 edge in shots in the second half, could not get the equalizer. “I feel we came out a little cocky and we paid for it,” said Smith. “Cascade has been steadily improving each season and we did not come out to play from the outset.”

OPENING OF CCC PLAY HAS HURT YOTES LATELY: The loss to Cascade on Saturday marked the fourth-straight season that the Coyotes have lost their CCC opener. ACI dropped a 3-2 overtime game at Warner Pacific in 2004, a 3-2 overtime game at Evergreen State in 2005, and lost 2-0 at home to Evergreen State last season.

GOLDEN GOAL, PART TWO: Jesus Lopez recorded his second overtime game-winning goal of the season, as ACI upended Whitman College, 4-3, Sunday in Walla Walla, Wash. Lopez headed home a Kazuki Murata (Tokyo, Japan / Ichiritu HS) corner kick five minutes into the second extra session, as ACI rebounded from the tough loss at Cascade. The Yotes trailed 2-1 at the break, despite a 12-9 edge in shots in the opening 45 - getting a Garga Caserta (Aracatuba, Brazil / North Idaho CC) unassisted goal 20 minutes in.  The squad would battle back - tying the score in the 63rd minute on an Alex Penrod (Las Vegas, Nev. / Cimarron-Memorial HS) blast off an Antonio Bautista (Homedale, Idaho / Homedale HS) assist, then taking the lead on a Murata goal with 15 minutes remaining.  However, the Missionaries would get a Jesus Reyes unassisted goal with five minutes left in regulation to send the game to overtime. ACI had a season-high 30 shots in the match and won without starters Stephen Reinschmidt (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS) and Brian Weiss (Mountain Home, Idaho / Mountain Home HS), who did not play.

COYOTES REMAIN FOURTH IN REGIONAL RANKINGS: For the second-consecutive week, the Coyotes were ranked No. 4 in the NAIA Region I Top-5 poll, announced Monday. Simon Fraser holds the top spot, followed by Westminster, Concordia, ACI, and Corban. The regional poll is released each Monday, with the NAIA Top-25 poll released on Wednesday’s.

CONFERENCE AND NATIONAL STATISTICS: ACI has dominated the team and individual CCC statistics during the early stages of the season. The Yotes lead the league in total shots (88), points (35), goals scored (13), goals per game (2.6), and corner kicks per game (6.0), while ranking second in both assists (9) and assists per game (1.8). Individually, Alex Penrod leads the league in total shots (16) and is tied for the league lead in goals scored (3), is second in both assists (2), shots per game (3.2), and points (8), and is fifth in points per game (1.6). Kazuki Murata is tied for the league lead in goals scored (3), is second in assists (2) and points (8), is fifth in points per game (1.6), and is sixth in total shots (11). Jesus Lopez leads the league in game winning goals (2) and is tied for the lead in goals scored (3), is fourth in total points (7), is seventh in points per game (1.4), and eighth in total shots (8). Rounding out the group is Antonio Bautista, who is second in total shots (13) and fifth in shots per game (2.6), Mauricio Both (Cachoeira de Sul, Brazil / Nampa HS), who is second in total shots (13) and fifth in shots per game (2.6), and Garga Caserta, who is fifth in total shots (12), and eighth in shots per game (2.4). This year the NAIA is requiring schools to report their statistics on a national basis each week – creating a national stats report. To access the men’s soccer national page, log onto the DakStats website at http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=MSO&sea=NAIMSO_2007&team=2518.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE: The first round of CCC travel partner play had varying results last week – Corban blanking Northwest Christian, 6-0, Concordia shutting out Warner Pacific, 3-0, and Northwest got four first half goals to upend Evergreen State, 4-1. This week, Concordia and Warner Pacific will tangle with Evergreen State and Northwest, while Corban and Northwest Christian will play midweek games with Cascade prior to their trip to Idaho.

ABOUT THE COACH: Brian Smith is in his fourth season as head coach of the ACI men's soccer team and has compiled a 33-22-2 overall mark.  In his first season two seasons, the Coyotes narrowly missed a spot in the NAIA Region I Tournament, despite a second and third-place finish in the Cascade Conference standings.  Last season, however, the Yotes claimed their first CCC title since 2001 and advanced to the regional semifinals.  For his efforts, the Coyote skipper was named CCC Coach of the Year. Smith, who helped the Coyotes to a 35-21-1 record as a player for longtime coach, John Calpin, from 1990-93, returned to his alma mater in 2004 after a successful high school coaching career in the Treasure Valley. He coached the Timberline High School boys’ team for three years, before taking over the THS girls’ program in 2002 – earning Idaho State Coach-of-the-Year honors in 2001 and Southern Idaho Conference Coach-of-the-Year honors in 2003. After earning All-District honors as a player, he graduated from ACI with a degree in political science in 1994.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the ACI men’s soccer program, head to the official homepage of the Coyotes, www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/menssoccer.htm.

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