William Penn Athletics News September 11
William Penn University Athletics
Team Records Go Down in Season Opener for Lady Statesmen Linksters
Detroit Lakes, Minn.–What better way to ring in a new season than snap some old records and that is just what the William Penn women’s golf team did as it competed at the Concordia (Minn.) Invitational Saturday and Sunday.
William Penn tied for fifth out of 13 teams with a two-day tally of 681 (346-335) at the par-72 Wildflower Golf Course. The field consisted of mostly NCAA Division II teams, including the tournament champion Southwest Minnesota State, who posted a final score of 643 (322-321).
Minot State (N.D.), a 2011 NAIA Championships qualifier, finished only 11 strokes ahead of the Lady Statesmen, taking fourth at 670 (334-336).
Samantha Bergmann of Minnesota State took the medalist honor with a seven-over 151 (75-76), six strokes better than her next-closest competitor.
William Penn’s second-round 335 and its two-day posting of 681 both demolish previous school marks of 344 (set in 1981) and 732 (set last fall).
Maggie Yang (Fr., Chino, Calif., Diamond Bar HS) had a smooth entry into the collegiate game, finishing ninth (out of 77 players) with a score of 163 (83-80).
Courtney Kronmuller (Jr., Fountain Valley, Calif., Fullerton CC) also recorded two rounds in the 80s, taking 23rd overall at 171 (89-82).
Dena Stevens (Sr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) was next in a tie for 31st at 177 (86-91), while Mayci Rule (So., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Skyline HS) ended one stroke behind her at 178 (88-90) to tie for 34th.
Ashley Manhnieo (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev., Olathe Northwest HS) bounced back from a first-day 104 to shoot 83 on Sunday and tie for 47th at 187.
Three players competed as individuals for William Penn as well.
Amanda Paceley (Sr., Higley, Ariz., South Mountain CC) headed that group by tying for 42nd at 183 (98-85), while Aubrey Leasure (Sr., St. Peter, Minn., St. Peter HS), who was 69th at 208 (102-106), and Presley Joss (Jr., Osceola, Clarke HS), who was 73rd at 218 (105-113) also hit the links over the weekend.
“We played with some of the best Division II competition in the Midwest and competed well,” Lady Statesmen Head Coach Nik Rule said. “We have a really strong and cohesive team who work hard for each other and it showed.”
“We are pleased with breaking school records, but not satisfied,” Rule added. “Overall, we know we are capable of more and expect more as we progress further into the season.”
Next: The Lady Statesmen travel to Lincoln, Neb., on September 18-19 to compete in the Nebraska Wesleyan Invitational. The first round will be contested at Highlands Golf Course and the second round at Pioneers Golf Course.
Despite 31 Shots, William Penn Ties Illinois College
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen soccer team’s offensive struggles were magnified Sunday as the team won every offensive category, yet failed to come away victorious in a 0-0 tie with Illinois College in the conclusion of the William Penn Classic.
The Statesmen (1-3-1) sent 31 shots towards the goal (13 for Illinois College), but not one found a home in the netting.
William Penn has scored just five times in fives games, including four against Marygrove last Saturday. The silver lining is that the navy and gold have been strong defensively, only giving up nine goals (1.78 per game) thus far in 2011.
Jeff Kelly (Jr., Ottumwa, Indian Hills CC) topped the hosts with eight shots (five on goal), while Tyler Mather (Jr., Des Moines, Iowa Western CC) contributed six and Mark Dryden (So., Arbroath, Scotland, Arbroath HS) added five.
Three other players also had multiple attempts in the draw.
Sam Gurski (So., Beaumont, Texas, West Brook HS) posted six saves in the game. The shutout is the first of his career.
Next: The Statesmen return to action next Saturday by hosting Mount Mercy in Midwest Collegiate Conference action at 7 p.m.
Two Second Half Goals Leave William Penn with Loss
Oskaloosa–Amanda Brown (Sr., Gilbert, Ariz., Gateway CC) enjoyed her first goal as a Lady Statesmen Sunday, but the team’s jubilation did not last throughout the day as Illinois College rallied to win 2-1 to conclude the William Penn Classic.
The Lady Statesmen (1-4-1) were outshot 19-16, but had several more quality attempts than the visitors. Unfortunately, 15 of those shots did not find the back of the net.
The one that did came at the 6:55 mark as Brown finished off a corner kick by Mollie Plocher (So., West Plains, Mo., West Plains HS). The assist is the first for Plocher in her career as well.
The advantage held until the 63rd minute when the Lady Blues (1-2-1) knotted the contest with a goal by Ellen Radcliffe.
Radcliffe then put her squad ahead for good at the 79:06 juncture.
William Penn managed a few opportunities late, but without one of its best scoring options, it was a less than optimal situation. Melisa Wink (Sr., Brookfield, Ill., Lyons Township HS), who has one goal in 2011, suffered a concussion early in the second stanza and did not return.
Ashlynn Betts (So., Jenks, Okla., Jenks HS) paced the offensive surge with four shots, while Wink tallied three (all on goal).
Laura Gentry (So., Fruitland, Idaho, Fruitland HS) was busy between the pipes, recording seven saves Sunday.
Next: The Lady Statesmen return to action next Saturday by hosting Mount Mercy in Midwest Collegiate Conference action at 5 p.m.
