Lone Star Conference Projections in Leadup to Heart of Texas Bowl 2015

The Aggies of Oklahoma Panhandle State are 

affiliate members of the LSC starting this season.

Photo Courtesy of OPSU Sports Information

By Joshua Koch

Heart of Texas Bowl 

Director of Media Relations

COPPERAS COVE, TEXAS (October 17, 2015) The Lone Star Conference is going to have a fun next few weeks figuring out which teams will represent the conference in the NCAA Division II Playoffs and the Heart of Texas Bowl. 

Currently, through the first six games, Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce have looked unstoppable, both posting 4-0 records in LSC play. 

It is expected right now that Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce will clash for the LSC Championship on November 14, with the winner heading to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. 

Behind Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce there are three teams in LSC that could make a late-season push into the playoff and bowl game picture - Angelo State, Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M. 

All three teams currently sit at 1-2 in LSC play and will be fighting to get the third and fourth seeds for the LSC Playoffs, which would slate them against top-seeded Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce. 

Below are potential Heart of Texas Bowl teams. 

Team	W-L Overall	W-L LSC	GB
Midwestern State	6-0	4-0	-
Texas A&M-Commerce	5-1	4-0	-
Angelo State	4-2	1-2	2
Eastern New Mexico	4-2	1-2	2
West Texas A&M	2-3	1-2	2

In the next three weeks there will be some crucial games to determine seeding for the LSC PLayoffs, but some big games happen this weekend. 

On Saturday, West Texas A&M will get a shot at Texas A&M-Commerce, which is the game of the week and a chance for West Texas A&M to get a step closer to one of the top four seeds.

At the same time it is a big game for West Texas A&M considering, Angelo State and Eastern New Mexico both could walk away with wins of its own, putting some distance there between the fourth and fifth place slots. 

Eastern New Mexico will play Tarleton State, while Angelo State takes on Texas A&M-Kingsville and Midwestern State faces Humboldt State (Calif.). 

These are the teams to start watching as we get closer to a Heart of Texas Bowl Game bid being handed out. 

HBU Men’s Soccer and UMKC Battle to 2-2 Tie

Huskies remain unbeaten at Sorrels Field

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 16, 2015) Marcelo Acuna’s second goal of the game gave HBU a 2-1 lead midway through the second half, but UMKC tied the match in the 78th minute as the two teams battled to a 2-2 double overtime tie Friday night at Sorrels Field. With the tie, HBU remains unbeaten at Sorrels Field with a 4-0-1 record.

Acuna scored season goals number six and seven for the first two-goal game of his career to lead HBU (6-6-1 overall, 2-2-1 WAC). George Kelley earned the assist for both goals. The duo along with Dominick Faletto had two shots on goal apiece. Chance Pope made three saves in goal.

Leading scorer Pandelis Popgeorgiev assisted on both goals for UMKC (3-6-2, 1-2-1), while Derek Schrick and Diego Serfaty scored goals. Ryan Tome stopped five shots for the Kangaroos.

Sixteen minutes into the match, Faletto’s header attempt on a corner nearly gave HBU a 1-0 lead, but UMKC’s Roberto Albuquerque made the team save to keep the match scoreless.

Acuna’s first goal of the match came with four minutes remaining in the half, as he scored just under the cross bar, assisted by Kelley.

HBU outshot the ‘Roos 7-2 in the first half and had four of the five corner attempts.

It took two minutes into the second half for UMKC to tie the match, as Broc Cramer passed up the field to Popgeorgiev, who sent a cross pass to Schrick for the score.

Tome made a fantastic save on a Ricky-Paul Mupier header in the 53rd minute. Seconds later, Tome stopped a Juan Vega scoring chance.

In the 63rd minute, Acuna struck again, as Kelley passed up the field to Acuna and he beat Tome near side for a 2-1 Huskies lead.

Less than a minute following a UMKC corner kick, the ‘Roos knotted the game at 2-all, as Serfaty’s shot beat a diving Pope.

HBU outshot UMKC 5-2 in the two overtime periods, but could not get the golden goal.

The Huskies outshot UMKC, 19-11, for the match and had a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks.

HBU hits the road to play at Air Force Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2:00 p.m. central time.

Ronald Oswalt to direct marketing and arrange strategic partnerships for CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl

Photo by Pat Carrigan-First Down Photos. Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

COPPERAS COVE, TEXAS (October 13, 2015) The CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl has recently announced they have retained the services of sports marketing expert Ronald Oswalt in the lead up to the 2015 classic. The 1989 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi will arrange strategic partnerships and direct marketing during the time leading up to the bowl game. The 2015 edition of the yearly classic will be held at Bulldawg Stadium in Copperas Cove, Texas and is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2015. The bowl will consist of two games; one between two top teams representing the National Junior College Athletic Association. The other game will be between two NCAA Division II teams, with one being a member of the Lone Star Conference.

Oswalt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. Bowl Director Vance McAnally stated and is quoted from a prepared and distributed press release:

"We are pleased to welcome Ronald and look forward to his leadership in developing the Heart of Texas Bowl into an even greater event for student-athletes, coaches and fans. We have received terrific support from the Central Texas business community and Ronald has the experience and ability to enhance these partnerships to make the Heart of Texas Bowl a long-term success."

Oswalt, who hold a degree in sports marketing management, has worked for various teams and organizations over the years, including the Beaumont Drillers of the American Professional Football League, the Katy Copperheads of the National Indoor Football League, and the Texas Copperheads of the arena football league 2. In addition, he was the Vice-President/General Manager of the Austin Turfcats in the Southern Indoor Football League. Most recently, Oswalt served at the Chief Operating Officer/Partner of the website TexasHSFootball.com.

In his role as a journalist, Oswalt has covered the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints and theUniversity of Southern Mississippi. Additionally, he has also covered the Humanitarian Bowl, Liberty Bowl, Texas Bowl and the Alamo Bowl. Oswalt also stated in a prepared press release:

"I am thrilled with the opportunity to assist the Heart of Texas Bowl family. Copperas Cove offers a rich bowl tradition and I look forward to building on that history and bringing new bowl memories to the area."

Crosby continues dominance in UIL District 21-5A with 43-21 win over Kingwood Park

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

CROSBY, TEXAS (October 3, 2015) Racking up 525 yards of total offense, the No. 2 Crosby Cougars downed Humble Kingwood Park by the score of 43-21 on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Cougar Stadium in the Houston suburb of Crosby,Texas. With the win, the Cougars raised their season record to 6-0 with five weeks to go in the regular season.

Junior running back Mannie Netherly continued his record breaking season, catching eight passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He also added a two-point conversion to his scoring total on the Cougars’ third touchdown of the evening. Quarterback Tristan Cotton added two rushing touchdowns for the Cougars to contribute to Crosby’s win.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

Crosby scored 36 points before the Panthers managed to score on a Zach Purcell two-yard run and a Matthew Flaherly kicking conversion at the 3:56 mark in the third quarter. Crosby responded with Netherly’s second score two minutes later. Kingwood Park added two additional touchdowns by Garrett Sweeney’s rushes of 12 and 25 yards.

Cotton was 23-of-30 in the air for 281 yards and two touchdowns, while Craig Williams carried the ball five times for 147 yards and one touchdown. Seven Crosby players caught passes during the game for 295 total yards, while six players rushed for 230 yards.

Kingwood Park was paced by Sweeney’s 66 yards in the air and Aaron Hurd’s 79 yards on the ground. They accumulated 270 yards of total yards, with 162 of those yards in the air. With the loss, Kingwood Park dropped to 1-4 for the season and 1-2 in district play, while Crosby improved to 4-0 in district.

Crosby will next face Dayton at home on Friday, October 16, 2015, while Kingwood Park faces Dayton on October 8, 2015 at Turner Stadium.

Crosby Cougars down Barbers Hill Eagles 40-21 on Manny Netherly's three TD effort

Junior wide receiver Manny Netherly's (16) three touchdowns
helped the Crosby Cougars to a 40-21 win over the
Barbers Hill Eagles on Friday night.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

MONT BELVEAU, TEXAS (September 11, 2015) Paced by three touchdowns by wide receiver Manny Netherly, the No. 2 Crosby Cougars quickly outpaced Barbers Hill and downed the Eagles by the score of 40-21 at Eagle Stadium in the Houston suburb of Mont Belvieu, Texas on Friday, September 11, 2015. With the win, the Cougars go to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in District 21-5A play while the Eagles fall to 1-2.

Netherly caught five passes for 138 yards in route to his three touchdown game, the best of the season for the 6-1 junior, and raises his count to six TDs for the 2015 season. He first reached the end zone at the 3:44 mark in the first quarter on a four-yard pass reception from quarterback Tristan Cotton. He added his second score of the game with 5:45 remaining in the first half as a result of a 65-yard pass from Cotton. He rounded out his scoring onslaught with a 50-yard pass, again from Cotton two minutes later. Cotton finished the game competing 21-of-32 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted once.

The Cougars got on the scoreboard first after four minutes, 46 seconds of play when senior running back Sherman McGee carried the ball the final six yards into the end zone for the score. Jesse Vargas added the kicking extra point, as he did for all the Crosby touchdowns of the night. Barbers Hill quickly answered the McGee score with a touchdown of their own, on a one-yard run by senior running back Hunter Gobert. Marco Castillo tied the score at seven-all with the first of his three extra-point kicks.

Crosby senior quarterback Tristan Cotton (12) threw for
360 yards against the Barbers Hill Eagles.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved

Crosby followed up with two of Netherly’s scores before Barbers Hill again found the end zone for their second score of the game; a two yard run by junior running back Cameron Hendricks. Netherly’s third TD follow before the Eagles scored on another Hendricks run, a five-yard romp with 37 seconds remaining in the first half. Both teams headed to the locker room at halftime with Crosby holding a 28-21 lead.

The Cougars added two insurance scores in the third quarter on a 54-yard run by junior wide receiver Terryl Wiley at the 10:45 mark in the third quarter and a five yard pass from Cotton to senior wide receiver Shane Hudson. Crosby opted from the two-point conversion and failed on the attempt.

Crosby accounted for 532 yards of total offense against the Eagles, with 360 if the yards coming from Cotton’s aerial attack. The Eagles posted 248 yards of total offense, with 186 yards coming on the ground. The physicality of the game was evident with the officials throwing their flags 14 times with 118 penalty yards assessed to both teams.

Barbers Hill will next face the 1-2 Dayton Broncos on Friday, September 18, 2015 with a 7 p.m. CDT kickoff at Bronco Stadium in Dayton. Crosby will face the Humble Wildcats at Cougar Stadium on Friday, September 18, 2015 in a 7 p.m. CDT contest.

Houston Texans falter against Dallas Cowboys in final pre-season game of 2015

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

DALLAS, TEXAS (September 7, 2015) In their final pre-season game of 2015, the Houston Texans came up short against in-state rival Dallas and fell to the Cowboys by the score of 21 -14 at Cowboy Stadium in Irving, Texas on Thursday, 3, 2015. The game saw mostly unknown and last chance players on the field vying for a sport on the final roster for both teams.

The Texans went up 7-0 in the second quarter when quarterback Tom Savage threw a short right pass to Chris Polk for 16-yard touchdown. Randy Bullock added his obligatory extra point to close out the first half scoring. Polk caught four passes for 37 yards and carried the ball 10 times for 24 yards.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

The Cowboys answered the Texans score at the 11:39 mark of the third quarter when Savage was picked off by cornerback Corey White. Savage’s pass was intended for Jaelen Strong and was returned three yards for the Cowboy score. Dan Bailey split the uprights to tie the score. Dallas added seven more points 46 seconds later on a Gus Johnson 21-yard touchdown run. The score was bittersweet for Johnson as he was cut by the Cowboys on Sunday, September 6.

The Texans added a 16-yard touchdown pass from Savage to Keshawn Martin and a Bullock extra point with 11:49 remaining in the game. Seven minutes later, Savage was attempting a short pass to the right side to Kenny Hillard. The pass was incomplete and Savage was hit by Cowboy defensive tackle Davon Coleman, suffering a shoulder sprain. He will be out for several week.

The Cowboys added another seven points in the fourth quarter. The win was the only victory of their pre-season while the Texans posted a 2-2 mark. The Texans will kick off their 2015 regular season schedule on Sunday, September 13 with a 12 noon CDT match-up against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Texas A&M downs Arizona State 38-17 at NRG Stadium

Photo by Jeremy Fletcher of BigShots SnapShots
Used with permission.

By Mike Stockman
Copyright 2015 Phoenix Area Sports
Feature Corespondent for TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 5, 2015) The Arizona State University Sun Devils began the 2015 football season at NRG Stadium, formerly Reliant Stadium,  in Houston, Texas against the Texas A&M Aggies. This was the first meeting between these teams, ending in a victory for the Aggies by a score of 38 - 17 on Saturday, September 5 in front of 66,308 screaming fans.

Scottsdale natives Kyle Allen (sophomore quarterback) and Christian Kirk (freshman wide receiver / punt returner) contributed to four of the five touchdowns for the Aggies in the win over the Devils.

Allen put the Aggies on the board first when he threw a nine yard touchdown pass to Tra Carson, senior running back from Texarkana, Texas, in the first quarter for his first touchdown of the year. In the 4th quarter, he scrambled for a 12 yard touchdown. With less than four minutes left in the game, he connected with Kirk on a 66 yard touchdown to put the Aggies up 31-17. Allen finished the night with a 139.4 rating - completing 15 of 26 passes for 198 yards, two touchdown passes, one interception, and one rushing touchdown.

Photo by Jeremy Fletcher of BigShots SnapShots
Used with permission.

Kirk was electrifying as he darted through the Devils' special team on a punt return for a 79 yard touchdown in the second quarter. Kirk ended the night with 106 yards receiving and 82 yards in punt returns. His two touchdowns were the longest plays of the game.

Devils' senior quarterback Mike Bercovici threw a four yard touchdown to tight-end Kody Kohl for the Devils' first score of the night. In the third quarter, Bercovici ran for a 19 yard touchdown bringing the Devils' within three for a score of 17-14. Bercovici would finish with a 109.8 rating, completing 25 of 41 passes for a total of 199 yards, one touchdown pass, and a rushing touchdown.

The Devil's only other points came from field goal kicker Zane Gonzalez, from 23 yards out with 4:16 left in the game.  He finished the night with two extra points for a total of five points for the Devils.

Aggies’ kicker Taylor Bertolet connected for a field goal in the third quarter from 19 yards out. He finished the evening making every extra point bringing his total to eight points.

Photo by Jeremy Fletcher of BigShots SnapShots
Used with permission.

The Aggies' defense was able to get to Bercovici for a total of nine sacks on the night, four coming from defensive end Daeshon Hall, a junior from Lancaster, Texas.The final score of the game occurred with 1:38 left when Carson ran 10 yards for a touchdown giving them a 38-17 lead.

 The Aggies, who are now 16-0 against non-conference teams since Kevin Sumlin became head coach, will be hosting Ball State in College Station for their home opener on September 12, 2015 at 6 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on ESPNU and radio coverage can be heard on TAMUSN.

The Devils, who have had back to back ten win seasons under Coach Todd Graham, will host Cal Poly in their home opener in Tempe, AZ at 8 p.m. PST. This game will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.

Houston Texans cheerleaders add to the excitement of the game against the Denver Broncos

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 22, 2015) As any die hard fan knows, cheerleaders go hand-in-hand with football. It does not matter the level of play. In the NFL, and more specifically, the Houston Texans, the cheerleaders contribute to the excitement of the game. The Houston Texans Cheerleaders are a group of 34 young ladies who put their heart, soul, and sweat into their preparation for everything they do.

Enclosed in this article is a photo montage by Darla Tamulitis of La Vita Loca Photography of the actions and appearances of the cheerleaders during the Houston Texans game against the Denver broncos on Saturday, August 22, 2015. All photos are the property of Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2015, All Rights Reserved. They are used here with permission.

The only way to close out this article and accompanying photos is to ask "Did you enjoy it?" 

Gabby Rodriguez’s First Collegiate Goal Lifts HBU Women’s Soccer Past TSU, 1-0

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 21, 2015)  HBU women’s soccer began the 2015 season the same way it ended the 2014 Southland Conference Tournament: with a shutout win. The Huskies christened the new season with a 1-0 victory over Texas Southern Friday evening at Awty International School.

“I was pleased with our tenacity,” said HBU head coach Misty Jones. “The ladies battled hard and Gabby had a great goal.”

Gabby Rodriguez scored her first collegiate goal, while Allison Abendschein registered an assist and had a match-high six shots. Katie Turner earned her first-collegiate shutout as she made two saves.

Four different Lady Tigers had a shot, while Marlyn Campa and Paige Hayward each registered a shot on goal. Liliana Hernandez took the loss despite making seven saves.

The match was delayed an hour and 40 minutes due to rain and lightning, but once the match started, HBU took offensive control, outshooting the Lady Tigers, 8-1, and 5-1 in shots on goal. But despite the offensive pressure, the match was scoreless entering halftime.

HBU got on the board in the 62nd minute, as Abendschein fed Rodriguez, who streaked up the left side and beat Hernandez far side for a 1-0 Huskies lead.

About 15 minutes later, Turner made a spectacular save, as, despite facing two Lady Tigers alone in front, she challenged the ball dribbler and TSU was not able to get a shot off.

HBU outshot TSU, 9-3, in the second half and 17-4 in the match. The Huskies also had a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

HBU hosts Texas State Sunday, Aug. 23 at 7 pm, tentatively scheduled to be played at Sorrels Field. Check back to HBUHuskies.com to site location updates.

Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo scheduled for September 11-19, 2015

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (August 14, 2015)The 66th annual Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo is scheduled for September 11-19, 2015 at the Pasadena Convention Center and Rodeo Grounds. Rodeo and country music fans from Pasadena and the Houston, Texas area will converge into the Houston suburb for nine days and nights of action.

Traditional rodeo events, along with nightly concerts, beauty pageants, crawfish festival, bowling and golf tournaments, kickoff dance, parade and junior rodeo events, will give those in attendance numerous activities to attend and participate.

Country music favorite Kevin Fowler will perform on Friday, September 11, 2015 with ticket prices ranging from $15 to $25. Saturday, September 12, 2015 will see Cody Johnson take to the stage at the rodeo arena. Monday and Tuesday evenings attendees will be entertained by local high school bands.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 will see Jake Worthington and Jason Cassidy performing. On Thursday, September 17, 2015, entertainers Easton Corbin, Eric Paslay, Frankie Ballard, and Chase Rice will take to the stage. Aaron Watson will perform on Friday, September 18, 2015 with Roger Creager closing out the rodeo on Saturday, September 19, 2015.

In addition, every night with the exclusion of the Sunday dates, people may sign their children up for one of the favorite events of the rodeo; mutton busting. The event will be held nightly before each performance in the rodeo arena. Each child must weigh less than 60 pounds with awards and prizes for the winners.

Houston Cougars drop game two of China trip in shortened match

Photo by University of Houston Athletics Communications Office.
Used with permission

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

THIHU, CHINA (August 15, 2015) The Houston Cougars dropped the second game in their 10-day, four-game trip to China by the score of 77-66 against the Chinese Basketball Association’s Qingdao Doublestars on Saturday, August 15, 2015. The game was played at the Taihu County Sports Center in Taihu, China and was ended with 85 second remaining due to a series of minor altercations between players from both teams.

The leading scorer for the Cougars was redshirt junior Bertrand Nkali with 11 points, hitting four field goals and going 3-of-4 from the free throw line. The 6-8 forward sat out the 2014-2015 season after surgery for a sports hernia. He played the 2012-2013 season for Harcum Junior College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, following up with the

2013-2014 season at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.

Entering the fourth quarter with the score tied at 54, the Doublestars went on a 21-4 run to take the lead that remained until the game was called. Fouls had a definite outcome on the game with the Cougars whistled 31 times, while their Chinese opponents were called a mire 12 times. The Cougars were 7-of-12 from the free throw line while Qingdao connected 33 times on 47 attempts.

Also aiding in the scoring was junior guard Damyean Dotson and senior forward LeRon Barnes, both with nine points. Senior forward Devonte Pollard chipped in eight points in the effort.

The Cougars will next hit the court on Sunday, August 16, 2015 in Taihi, China against a to-be-determined opponent. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. China Standard Time, which is 13 hours ahead of Houston time.

Houston Cougars win first game of China trip

Photo by University of Houston Athletics Communications Office.
Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

HEFEI, CHINA (August 14, 2-015) The Houston Cougars jumped out to a 51-49 lead at halftime and came back hard in the second half to down the Chinese Junior National Team by the score of 93-83 at Golden Seed Arena in Hefei, China on Friday, August 14, 2015. The game was the first contest in the Cougars’ 10-day, four-game trip to China.

Houston was led by junior guard Damyean Dotson, who scored 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds; seven of which were on the defensive end of the court.  Nine of Dotson’s 21 points were from beyond the three-point line.

Dotson, a 2012 graduate of Houston’s Jack Yates High School, played his first two college seasons at Oregon prior to transferring to Houston. He sat out the 2014-2015 season as a red-shirt sophomore while attending Houston Community College.

Teammates Galen Robinson, Jr., a 6-10 freshman from Westbury Christian High School, and Robert Gray, Jr. also scored in double-digits. Both guards scored 14 points in the Houston effort. In addition, junior center Kyle Meyer chipped in 14 points, along with pulling down seven rebounds.  

The Chinese Junior National Team held a 30-28 lead at the end of the first quarter and rallied to tie the score in the fourth quarter at 67. At that point, Gray, Jr. and Robinson, Jr. combined to score 12 points to give Houston the lead, of which they would not relinquish the rest of the contest.

The Cougars will play three more games on their China trip. They will again face the Chinese Junior National Team on Saturday, August 15 in Wangiiang, Sunday, August 16 in Taihu, and Monday, August 17 in Tongling. They will return to Houston on Thursday, August 20. At games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. China Standard Time, which is thirteen hours ahead of Houston time. 

LA Galaxy obliterate Central FC 5-1 in Champions League action

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

CARSON, CALIFORNIA (August 6, 2015) In a game that looked like the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on a junior college football team, the LA Galaxy scored two goals in the first half and added three more in the second to down Central FC of Trinidad and Tobago by the score of 5-1 in front of 13,625 screaming fans at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on Thursday, August 6, 2015. The game was a Group D match of the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

The Galaxy wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, when captain Alan Gordon took a pass at the top right of the box and headed it past Central goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams in the fourth minute. The Sharks came back two minutes later and scored an equalizer when Galaxy goalkeeper Brain Rowe was called for a hard takedown of Kelon Goodridge.  Central’s Ataulla Guerra took the kick and sailed it past Rowe.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

The action stayed fast and furious for the next 24 minutes, until Gyasi Zardes gets the ball on a great offensive run and feeds it to Gordon. The Captain aptly dribbled the ball past the Central defenders and passes it to Raul Mendiola, who skillfully puts the ball into the goal to again put Los Angeles up by one.

Galaxy fans were on their feet with their attention directed at the field when Williams takes out Mendiola in front of the net. No foul was given by the referees and after a few minutes of lying on the grass, Mendiola left the field with medical staff and was quickly replaced on the field by Sebastian Lletget. At the halfway mark, the Galaxy took a 2-1 lead into the locker room.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2015 All Rights Reserved

Ten minutes into the second half, Central gets called for a penalty, which allows the Galaxy a chance to go up by two. Zardes calmly and coolly strode to the ball for the penalty kick, and in true galaxy fashion, put the ball into the goal past Williams to give Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.

In the 76^th minute, Galaxy newcomer Giovani DosSantos scored his first goal for Los Galácticos. Lletget took the ball and with a very nice touch, flicked it to Rafael Garcia, who in turn, squared it to Dos Santos for the simple tap-in to give the Galaxy a 4-1 lead.

Los Angeles added an insurance goal in the 85^th minute when Ignacio Maganto found himself in the right place at the right time and knocked the ball into the net for the Galaxy’s fifth score of the game.

The Galaxy will next face Communicciones FC from Guatemala on August 18 at the the StubHub Center.

Swimmers bring gold medal haul back to Texas from State Games of America

James Sephton, Carson Howard, and Landon Howard
brought a gold-medal haul back to Texas from the
State Games of America.
Photo by James Sephtoon, Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA (August 3, 2015) Three members of the South Belt Area “All Stars” Swimming Team competed in the State Games of America national championships on August 1-2, 2015 in Lincoln, Nebraska and bought back a pot full of gold medals to the Houston area. Brothers Landon and Carson Howard, along with James Sephton competed in the two-day event in a total of 16 individual and two relay events and won a total of 16 medals.

Landon Howard, competing in the men’s 25-29 age group, stepped on the starting blocks seven times and won a total of seven individual medals. Brother Carson raced in five events, winning two gold and two silver medals in the men’s 19-24 age group. Fellow Texan James Sephton, competing in the men’s 40-44 age group raced to three gold medals.

The competition was held over two days, with Saturday’s events held at Bob Devaney Sports Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska. The Saturday events were contested in the campus 25-yard pool, while Sunday’s events were held at Woods Memorial Pool and were contested in a 50-meter pool.

On Saturday, August 1, Landon competed in four events; 50-yard backstroke (:28.01), 50-yard freestyle (:23.50), 100-yard freestyle (:53.26) and 200-yard butterfly (2:45.20), and raced to the gold medal in all four events. Carson competed in the 50-yard breaststroke, where he won the gold medal with the time of  :29.54. He also swam to the silver medal in the 50-yard butterfly (:25.73). Sephton won gold medals in the 50-yard breaststroke (:32.21) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:55.52).

The Texas threesome hooked up with another Texan, Sherdon Powell, to win the gold medal in the 18 and over 200-yard freestyle relay.

In the Sunday, August 2 events, Landon swam to three gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke (1:18:01), 200-meter individual medley (2:43.10), and the 100-meter butterfly (1:13.21). Carson won the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:18.42) and the silver medal in the 200-meter individual medley (2:40.29). In addition, James won the gold emdal in the 100-meter breaststroke (1:28.41).

Landon, Carson, and James again team up to take the gold medal in the 200-meter medley relay, with fellow swimmer Bam Meeks.