McNeese Cowgirls serve up victory in Southland Conference clash

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (October 28, 2023)  The McNeese Cowgirls volleyball team ended their week on a high note with an impressive 3-1 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce in the Southland Conference. 

The Cowgirls, with a record of 13-14 overall and 11-3 in the Southland Conference, outshined their opponents. The match saw an intense battle with both teams fighting for control, but McNeese's trio of McKenzie Moore, Carissa Chainey, and Tshilanda Diouf shone bright, all recording double-digit kills. Moore led the way with an outstanding 13 kills, while Chainey and Diouf contributed 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Notably, Diouf finished the game with an incredible .714 hitting percentage, making 14 attempts without a single error.

In the back row, Bailey Tillman and Kendall Osgood proved to be invaluable assets for McNeese. Tillman, with her 18 digs, showcased her defensive prowess and even entered the Top 10 in McNeese career digs with a total of 1,242. Osgood also displayed her skill with 15 digs, marking her seventh match with double-digit digs this season.

The match unfolded in four sets, with each team displaying remarkable resilience. McNeese started strong, with the first set showcasing a back-and-forth struggle until the Cowgirls, led by Sanni Rantanen's powerful serves, secured a convincing lead. They eventually won the set with consecutive kills from Diouf.

In the second set, the Lions of A&M-Commerce made an early lead, but the Cowgirls clawed their way back into the game, tying the set at 10 all and eventually claiming the victory with Chainey's fierce serving and Moore's crucial kill.

The third set brought suspense as McNeese aimed for a straight-set win, but A&M-Commerce managed to steal the set with a late surge. However, McNeese stormed ahead in the fourth set, securing an early lead and ultimately closing out the match with Chainey's 12th kill.

HCU Huskies hold off Texas A&M-Commerce with 17-13 win

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 28, 2023) In an exciting clash on Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium, the Houston Christian University Huskies managed to secure a hard-fought Homecoming victory against the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions. The final score read 17-13 in favor of the Huskies, improving their home record to 3-1 and leveling their Southland Conference record at 2-2.

The game got off to a slow start in the first quarter, with both teams trading punts on their initial possessions. However, the turning point came when the Lions had the ball at their own 35, and a pass from Lion's quarterback, Josh Magana, was intercepted by Isaiah Cash at the HCU 49-yard line. Cash's interception set the stage for a fantastic play, with wide receiver AJ Wilson tossing a 12-yard pass to Karl Reynolds in the end zone, putting the Huskies on the scoreboard with a 7-0 lead.

The Huskies maintained their lead, and their offense continued to impress. Quarterback Colby Suits connected with Deuce McMillan on a 37-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 14-0. The Lions weren't about to give up, though, and they responded with a one-yard touchdown run by Jordon Hamilton, narrowing the gap to 14-7.

As the first half was coming to a close, the Huskies were on the move again, and kicker Dillon Fedor made a career-long 50-yard field goal to send them into halftime leading 17-7.

The third quarter saw both teams having extended drives, but neither could put any points on the board. Fedor had a chance for a 47-yard field goal but missed, and the quarter ended with the score still at 17-7.

However, the Lions weren't ready to give up the fight. As time expired in the third quarter, a pass by Suits was intercepted by Jaden Rios, who returned it for an 86-yard touchdown. An unsuccessful extra point left the score at 17-13, setting up an intense final quarter.

The Lions started moving the ball with determination in the fourth quarter, making it down to the HCU 25-yard line with just 1:57 left on the clock. On a crucial third-and-10 play, Magana took a shot at the end zone, but Cash came up with his second interception of the game, sealing the win for the Huskies.

The Huskies' defense played a vital role in the victory, with Cash's two interceptions leading the way. Junior linebacker Rodney Dansby was a tackling machine, leading all players with 14 tackles. The defense also got in on the action with a sack from Charles Gonzales, and Jalyx Hunt and Joe Cadette combined for another.

Quarterback Colby Suits had an impressive performance, completing 21 of 32 passes for 242 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Karl Reynolds had a standout game, with nine catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Deuce McMillan also contributed with five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown. Jesse Valenzuela led the ground attack for HCU with 50 yards on 16 carries.

This win keeps the Huskies' home record strong and evens their SLC record at 2-2. Unfortunately, HCU's game at Northwestern State has been canceled, so their next scheduled game is on Saturday, November 11, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where they will face the McNeese Cowboys.

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USA 3X3 Basketball opens Pan American Games with victories

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

SANTIAGO, CHILE (October 22, 2023) The U.S. women's team never allowed the Dominican Republic to take the lead, clinching a resounding 22-11 victory. Blake Dietrick set the tone with a score on the opening possession, and the American squad sprinted to a commanding 10-3 lead within the first three minutes. Azurá Stevens led the charge with an impressive performance, contributing 10 points, including a remarkable 3-0 run during a 6-0 U.S. scoring spree midway through the game. Cierra Burdick chipped in with five points to bolster the team's efforts.

Dietrick's clutch 2-pointer pushed the USA's lead into double digits at 17-7 with just under four minutes remaining in the game. Lexie Hull sealed the deal with her second 2-pointer, ending the contest with 3:07 on the clock. The U.S. women exhibited an all-around performance, highlighting their skill, teamwork, and dominance on the court.

The men's team didn't waste any time, storming to a 6-0 lead within the first minute of the game against El Salvador. Their exceptional shooting from beyond the arc, with seven 2-pointers in the game, was the key to their 22-8 triumph. Jimmer Fredette led the charge with nine points, including the game-ending bucket. He was on fire, sinking four crucial 2-pointers that kept the scoreboard ticking for the U.S.

The game also featured an impressive 8-0 American run just before the 5-minute mark and a 7-0 run to conclude the game in style. Dylan Travis contributed six points to the team's victory, while Canyon Barry was right behind with four. Kareem Maddox, with his defensive prowess, played a significant role in limiting El Salvador to just five baskets in the entire game.

Houston Dynamo FC secures Decision Day victory over Portland Timbers FC

Photo courtesy of Houston Dynamo FC 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 21, 2023) In a thrilling match on Decision Day, the Houston Dynamo FC clinched a fantastic 3-1 win against the Portland Timbers FC at Providence Park on Saturday. The victory not only capped off their regular season on a high note but also secured them homefield advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 series against Real Salt Lake.

For the Dynamo, this win held special significance. It marked the first time they had earned a point from a visit to Providence Park since 2015. Their last regular season victory in Portland dated all the way back to the 2011 campaign. It was a sweet moment for the Dynamo players and their dedicated fans.

The action started early, with Houston taking the lead in the 11th minute. Defender Griffin Dorsey made a crucial clearance at the far post, leading to a corner kick. Captain Hector Herrera delivered a perfect cross that found Dorsey at the near post, opening the scoring. This goal was Dorsey's second of the season and marked Herrera's 16th assist of the MLS campaign.

The Dynamo extended their lead to 2-0 in the 49th minute when midfielder Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla seized an opportunity in the box and found the back of the net. Carrasquilla, who is an international player from Panama, celebrated his third goal of the season.

Dorsey wasn't done making an impact. In the 72nd minute, he scored his second goal of the night, putting the game out of reach for Portland. Herrera played a key role in the build-up, setting up Carrasquilla, who then delivered the ball to Dorsey. This goal completed Dorsey's first professional brace, and Herrera's involvement earned him his 17th assist of the season, breaking the club record for the most assists in a single season. The previous record was held by Brad Davis, who finished with 16 assists in 2011.

Portland managed to pull one back in the 80th minute when forward Felipe Mora found a way to get a shot past Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark. Clark had an impressive game, making several crucial saves, including one in the fifth minute to deny a free kick.

The Dynamo had numerous opportunities to increase their lead, with forward Amine Bassi coming close in the 14th minute and midfielder Artur making a vital stop to deny Yimmi Chara's attempt in the 19th minute. The Dynamo had a goal ruled offside in the 26th minute when Corey Baird found the back of the net following a save from Nelson Quiñónes. Clark made another important save in the 30th minute to keep the Dynamo in the lead.

With this win, the Houston Dynamo FC secured fourth place in the Western Conference with a 14-11-9 record, earning them homefield advantage in the upcoming Round One Best-of-3 series against Real Salt Lake.

This season has been a remarkable one for the Dynamo, with the team achieving success on multiple fronts. They clinched the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship last month and qualified for the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. This is the first time they have competed in the regional tournament since 2019. Additionally, the Dynamo reached the Round of 16 in the inaugural League's Cup earlier this year, defeating strong Mexican teams like CF Pachuca and Santos Laguna.

HCU football shuts out Prairie View A&M in dominant display

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 14, 2023) The HCU football team showcased their prowess on the gridiron with an impressive 30-0 victory over Prairie View A&M in their latest non-conference showdown. The Huskies, who have been on a rollercoaster ride this season, secured their second shutout win of the year, leaving their fans at Husky Stadium brimming with excitement.

From the opening kickoff, it was clear that the Huskies were determined to make a statement. Their defense came out firing on all cylinders, forcing Prairie View to punt after just five plays that gained a mere 12 yards. Karl Reynolds returned the punt with style, sprinting 29 yards to set up the Huskies with excellent field position. From there, it was only a matter of time before Dillon Fedor booted a 19-yard field goal to put HCU on the scoreboard, with 9:08 left on the clock.

But the Huskies were not content with just a field goal; they had their sights set on the end zone. After another fantastic three-and-out defensive stand, the offense took the reins. Jesse Valenzuela led the charge with a breathtaking 32-yard rush, and a precise Colby Suits pass to Reynolds advanced the ball well into Panther territory. Suits, showcasing his accuracy, then connected with Ismael Fuller on a short cross that turned into a spectacular 42-yard touchdown. With six minutes still to go in the first quarter, the Huskies were firmly in control with a 10-0 lead.

In the second quarter, HCU's punt took an unexpected bounce, hitting a Prairie View player and landing in the waiting arms of Caleb King at the Panther's 36-yard line. This fortunate turn of events gifted HCU with prime field position, and it only took them five plays to find the end zone. Valenzuela displayed his power with a five-yard rushing touchdown, extending the Huskies' lead to 17-0. The HCU defense continued to shine, forcing another three-and-out, which set the stage for RJ Smith's 22-yard dash to the end zone. At halftime, the Huskies were cruising with a commanding 24-0 lead.

The third and fourth quarters saw Dillon Fedor add two more field goals, from 21 and 26 yards, respectively, to pad HCU's lead. Meanwhile, the defense continued to stifle Prairie View, limiting them to a meager 42 yards of offense in the second half.

HCU's offensive output was nothing short of impressive, accumulating a total of 445 yards. They maintained a balanced attack, with 246 rushing yards and 199 through the air. RJ Smith emerged as the standout with his first 100-yard rushing game of his career, amassing 108 yards on 14 carries, and notching a touchdown. Smith's achievement marked the third time this season that a Husky running back has rushed for over 100 yards, joining the ranks of Champ Dozier and Darryle Evans. Valenzuela also made his presence felt with a touchdown and 87 yards on 13 carries, while Suits contributed with 58 rushing yards on six carries.

In the passing game, Colby Suits was in command, completing 19 of 28 attempts for 166 yards and one touchdown. Suits showcased his versatility by connecting with ten different receivers, with Karl Reynolds leading the pack with five receptions.

Defensively, the Huskies stood tall, allowing Prairie View a mere yard per rushing attempt, holding them to a paltry 20 yards on 22 carries. Prairie View's quarterback, Trazon Connley, struggled against the relentless HCU defense, going 12-of-19 for just 90 yards. Xavier McIntyre was the standout defender for HCU, racking up 10 tackles, including one for a loss. Rodney Dansby, Devion Hargrove, Zae Smith, and Judas McKenzie all contributed solo sacks, and the Huskies collectively amassed seven tackles for loss. Safety Caleb Flagg showcased his skills with his second career interception, returning the ball for 23 yards.

With a bye week ahead, HCU will have time to rest and regroup before their next challenge. On October 28th, they'll face Texas A&M-Commerce at Husky Stadium.

Houston Dynamo FC dominates Colorado Rapids with impressive 5-1 victory

Credit: Houston Dynamo FC, Used with permission

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 7, 2023)  In an exciting soccer showdown, the Houston Dynamo FC displayed their strength by defeating the Colorado Rapids with a commanding score of 5-1 at Shell Energy Stadium. This thrilling win not only brought joy to their fans but also secured their spot to host an Audi MLS Cup Playoff match, setting the stage for an electrifying atmosphere for soccer enthusiasts.

This season, the Houston Dynamo FC has been nothing short of impressive when playing on their home turf. They've notched an impressive record of 15 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses in all competitions. This remarkable performance has catapulted them into a position where they could finish as high as fourth in the fiercely competitive Western Conference standings.

The Dynamo's recent run of success has been nothing short of remarkable, boasting a record of 7 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in all competitions since returning to MLS play after the Leagues Cup on August 20. During this incredible stretch, they've outscored their opponents by a stunning margin of 27-8.

The Dynamo didn't waste any time asserting their dominance in the match. In just the third minute, defender Erik Sviatchenko and captain Héctor Herrera combined brilliantly with a one-two sequence at the edge of the box. The ball was then played wide to defender Griffin Dorsey, who spotted forward Nelson Quiñónes unmarked at the far post, allowing Quiñónes to notch his fourth goal of the year.

Five minutes later, the Dynamo doubled their lead when midfielder Adalberto "Coco" Carrasquilla played a perfectly placed ball over the top to Corey Baird. Baird, in turn, found fellow attacker Amine Bassi at the opposite post, resulting in the second goal of the first half and Bassi's impressive 10th goal of the season.

Quiñónes continued to shine, scoring his second goal of the evening in the 28th minute with a spectacular long-range effort from outside the box. This marked the 21-year-old's first brace for the Dynamo and added to the team's growing lead.

Baird further solidified his performance in the 41st minute, tallying the fourth goal of the evening. This goal came following a swift counterattack led by Carrasquilla, who skillfully played the ball wide to Baird. With this goal, Baird equaled his single-season goal record from his rookie season with Real Salt Lake in 2018.

The match featured a remarkable moment for Houston as it marked the second time this season that the Dynamo scored four goals in a single half, harkening back to their dominant performance against Portland on August 20.

Although the Rapids managed to prevent a clean sheet in the 53rd minute, courtesy of a goal by Cole Bassett, Houston responded with a fifth goal in the 84th minute. Bassi showcased his skills yet again, finding midfielder Artur with a pinpoint chip at the back post. The Brazilian didn't miss a beat, burying the ball into the far corner and securing his second goal of the season.

5A Pine-Richland upends 6A No. 1 Pittsburgh Central Catholic 26-19

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

GASTONIA, PENNSYLVANIA (October 6, 2023)  In a Friday night showdown that will be remembered for years to come, the Pine-Richland Rams, ranked No. 5 in Class 5A, pulled off a thrilling upset against Class 6A's top-ranked Pittsburgh Central Catholic Vikings team, winning 26-19 in a nonconference showdown at Pine-Richland Stadium. This unexpected victory had fans on the edge of their seats as the Rams rallied to snatch the win from their formidable opponents.

The Rams (4-3) entered the game as underdogs, but they played with a fierce determination that left everyone in awe. Ethan Pillar was the star of the night, setting a school record with an astounding 297 rushing yards on 56 carries. His relentless effort and incredible performance will be etched in Pine-Richland's history books.

The game didn't start as smoothly as Pine-Richland had hoped, as they found themselves trailing 16-14 at halftime. The Vikings (6-1) had been averaging a remarkable 50 points per game before this contest, making the Rams' challenge even more daunting.

However, the tide began to turn in the third quarter when Central Catholic committed two crucial turnovers via fumbles. These turnovers shifted the momentum firmly in Pine-Richland's favor. Talan Hill-Ressler's electrifying 37-yard touchdown run after one of these turnovers put the Rams ahead 20-16. But Pillar was far from finished. He extended Pine-Richland's lead to 26-16 with a 46-yard run, followed by a 3-yard scoring run after Central Catholic's second lost fumble. Pillar's remarkable performance showcased his incredible speed, agility, and determination.

Vasilios Balouris's heroic fourth-and-2 stop with 3:06 left in the game sealed the victory for Pine-Richland. It was a moment of pure grit and determination that left the Rams' fans erupting in celebration.

The Vikings, who had been cruising through their schedule with a high-powered offense, couldn't find their usual rhythm against Pine-Richland's tenacious defense. Jacob Sassic had a couple of standout moments with a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown and a 42-yard pass from Payton Wehner, but it wasn't enough to secure the win for Central Catholic.

This upset victory was a significant turnaround for Pine-Richland, who had suffered a tough 45-10 loss to Class 6A No. 2 North Allegheny just a week prior. Central Catholic, on the other hand, had been dominant throughout the season, making this upset all the more impressive.

Photos from the games, by senior photographer Darla Tamulitiis can be viewed here.