Mount Hood

Tough loss for a young team Simon Frasier edges out Western in four nail-biting sets

By: Grace Knapp 
Freelance Writer

The young WOU volleyball team faced Simon Frasier University on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015.

Battling for every point, the 7-18 Wolves eventually succumbed to the 12-12 Clan after four hotly contested sets. The set scores were 26-24, 25-23, 25-15, and 25-22.

In the opening set, the score difference between the teams never exceeded three points, and the Wolves secured four aces.

However, this wasn’t enough to win the set, and WOU fell to SFU 26-24.

Motivated by the close set, the Wolves rallied their efforts in the second. Although the Clan took an early lead of 20-15, the pack overtook the five point deficit and tied the score 22-22, eventually winning the set with a kill by Sydney Blankinship (MB).

Western quickly fell behind, leading to a disappointing set loss of 25-15. Fighting to stay in the game, WOU secured an early lead of 15-20 in the final set, but ultimately fell to SFU 25-22.

Head coach Brad Saindon feels like the close battle with SFU shows the true potential of the Wolves.

“Our team continues to improve daily. We put ourselves in position to win regularly, and I believe if we continue to work and stay on course that the wins will start coming,” Saindon said. “We are so close, and our games show that.”

A strong contributor to the team’s potential is junior Christie Colasurdo (L) who leads the GNAC in digs, and is currently ranked fourth in the nation in digs per set.

Colasurdo does everything she can to help her team on defense in the hope that they can finish out the season with some wins.

Next up, the Wolves face Montana State-Billings at home on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. For tickets and game information, visit the ticket office during regular business hours in the New P.E. Building, or call 503-838–8917.

Update: On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015 the Wolves lost in three sets to Concordia University at home. The set scores were 25-23, 26-24 and 25-21.

Fenumiai’s four touchdowns lead Wolf Pack to victory

By: Jamal Smith 
Sports Editor

It was a cold, wet, and windy night at McArthur Field, but the Wolves got their seventh consecutive victory on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SD). The final score was 37-26.

The victory improves the Wolves overall record to 7-3 and 5-1 in GNAC play.

Redshirt-sophomore Phillip Fenumiai (QB) led Western downfield on their first drive of the game, connecting with senior Daniel Thomas (WR) for a 26-yard touchdown pass.

Fenumiai would finish the game with 168-yards through the air, four passing touchdowns and tack on 55-yards rushing.

Fenumiai, who is known for his ability to run the ball, showed that he is not just a one trick pony, connecting with sophomore Maurice McSwain (WR) for a 16-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter.

The Wolves led 12-0 after the first quarter.

SD would score the only points in the second quarter after the Hardrockers started their drive on the Western Oregon 17-yard line. SD would convert on a two-point attempt to tighten the score to 12-8 going into half time.

Fenumiai picked up right where he left off on the Wolves’ first drive of the second half, throwing his second touchdown pass to McSwain, his third TD pass of the game.

Five minutes later, Fenumiai would connect with sophomore Paul Revis (WR) for a 15-yard touchdown, giving Fenumiai four total passing touchdowns for the game. The third quarter would end with the Western leading 26-8.

“Phillip threw a pass up the middle, and once I made the catch I just followed my blockers,” said Revis. “There just happened to be no one in front of me and I just walked into the end zone.”

In the fourth quarter, with just minutes remaining in the game, first year Malik Braxton (RB) would break way for 57-yard run, but was stopped at the SD 4-yard line.

He finished the drive by bullying his way into the end zone. Braxton would finish the game with 136-yards rushing.

“Every week the offensive line keeps doing what they’re doing, and I just had to get a touchdown for them,” said Braxton after the game.
Junior George Swartzlender (DL) led the defense with 10 total stops and four tackles for a loss which included a 10-yard sack.

Swartzlender was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week.

“We felt positive about the way we played on defense. We made a lot of defensive stands, and we have been doing that all year,” said head coach Arne Ferguson. “Offensively, our offensive line took some time to wear them down. Malik had a big run, Phillip played well and we were getting the ball to Paul.”

Next up, the Wolves finish out the regular season at home against Humboldt State University (HSU) on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 at 1 p.m. With a win against HSU, the Wolf Pack has a good chance at improving their regional ranking to keep their post-season hopes alive.

“We’re 10th in the region, Humboldt is second. The top seven go to the NCAA playoffs,” said Ferguson. “We feel really good about beating Northern Alabama and if we are able to beat Humboldt the last game of the season, with winning seven in a row, there is a really good chance we can make it.”

“They are a really good team; they’re coached really well and they are on fire, so it’s going to be a really tough task,” added Ferguson.

Portland Timber defeat Sporting Kansas City in 22 round shootout

By: Jamal Smith 
sports editor

In what is being heralded as one of the greatest Major League Soccer (MLS) playoff games of all time, the Portland Timbers, with a little bit of luck, came out victorious in the knockout round against Sporting Kansas City (SKC) on Thursday Oct. 26, 2015.

The sold out crowd at Providence Park got their money’s worth; the atmosphere was insane, there were ups and downs, phenomenal last minute goals, and one of the craziest double goal post penalty misses of all time.

It would take 90 minutes of regulation, two 15 minute overtime periods and 22 penalty kicks for the Timbers to become victorious and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. The game was a draw at 2-2 with Portland winning the penalty shootout 7-6.

Portland came out firing on all cylinders in the opening minutes of the first half, but was unable to capitalize with a goal, and the first half ended with the score tied at 0-0.

Timber’s midfielder Rodney Wallace would find the back net in the 57th minute after a beautiful juggling flick pass from Timber’s midfielder Diego Valeri inside of SKC’s 18-yard box.

In the 87th minute, with just 3 minutes to play in regulation, SKC evened the score at 1-1 off a cross into the Timber’s 18-yard box which was headed in by SKC’s defender Kevin Ellis, causing the match to continue with two 15 minute overtime periods.

SKC ripped the heart out of the Timber’s faithful in the 97th minute when forward Krisztian Nemeth’s hit a ridiculous top-corner goal which Timber’s keeper Adam Kwarasey had no chance at saving.

In the second overtime period, with just two minutes remaining, Portland super-sub Maximiliano Urruti (F) tied the game at 2-2 after a Wallace cross found its way to Urruti and he calmly blasted it past SPC’s goalkeeper Jon Kempin.

Still, even after the overtime periods, the match would be decided with penalty kicks. The team with the most goals after five rounds would be crowned the victor, but even still, the match would continue into sudden-death.

After Portland failed to covert in the 8th round, SKC’s defender Saad Abdul-Salaam’s shot on goal unbelievably bounced off both goal posts and somehow didn’t go in.

“Our crowd, our fans, our supporters, the Timbers Army, I think they were the ones who kept that last ball out of the net,” said head coach Caleb Porter at the postgame press conference. “It was either them or God because the thing bounced twice, and I don’t know how it didn’t go in. But it didn’t.”

“Something kept that goal out. I don’t know what it was; maybe it was them from them yelling so much,” added Porter. “Something did, something kept it out. So I’m going to credit the Timbers Army.”

With every penalty make from the Timbers, the crowd went into a frenzy, but SKC would answer every time. With every miss, the crowd collectively held their breath, but SKC would fail to convert.

The eleventh round pitted Timber’s keeper Kwarasey against SKC keeper Kempin. Kwarasey would convert on his penalty kick, and then make the save against Kempin to the estatic delight of the Timber’s Army.

“It was like a movie,” said Kwarasey after the game. “I didn’t expect it to go to penalties. I didn’t expect to take a penalty. I’m still a little bit exhausted. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

With the incredible victory, the Timbers advanced to Western Conference Semifinals against no. 2 seed Vancouver Whitecaps, a two-leg series with the first game played in Portland and the second in Vancouver, B.C.

Note: On Sunday Nov. 1, 2015, the Timbers finished the match with a 0-0 draw against the Vancouver White Caps. The decisive next match will be played in Vancouver, B.C. on Sunday Nov. 8, 2015. With a victory, the Timbers would advance into the Western Conference Finals against the winner of Seattle vs. Dallas.

Soccer finishes the season with double overtime thriller

By: Jamal Smith 
Sports Editor

The woman’s soccer team wrapped up their season with a 2-1 overtime victory on the road against Simon Fraser University (SFU) on Saturday Oct. 31.

The Wolves spoiled SFU’s post-season aspirations, which with a victory the Clan would have finished in fourth place in the conference ensuring a berth in the GNAC Woman’s Soccer Championship.

SFU came out determined in the first half, and put pressure on Western’s defense. The Wolves survived a barrage of 14 first half shots. Despite SFU’s offensive flurry, the match was scoreless going into half time.

In the 54th minute, WOU senior Brooke Steinberg (D) scored her first goal of the season with a free kick to the near post.

Western would only have the lead for 34 seconds, though, as the Clan would equalize the score at 1-1 after a loose ball found its way into the back of the net.

After 90 minutes and the score still even, the match would continue into overtime. The Wolves had a chance to win just two minutes into overtime when senior Vicky Cruz Rosales (M) took a shot that went just over the top of the crossbar.

Still scoreless after the first overtime period, the match would continue to a second. In the 107th minute, the Wolves were rewarded a penalty kick from just outside the 18-yard box. Junior Taylor Higa (F/M) stepped up to take the penalty kick and sent it past SFU’s goalkeeper. Higa’s game winning goal was her second of the season.

Rosales and junior Dani Payne (M) led the Wolves with three shots on goal. SFU outshot WOU 25-19.
With the victory, the Wolves concluded their season with an overall record of 8-8-1 and 4-7-1 in GNAC play and finished in 7th place in the conference.

Running game and stingy defense key to victory over Azusa Pacific

By: Jamal Smith 
Sports Editor

WOU Football hosted Azusa Pacific University (APU) on Saturday, Oct. 31 at McArthur Field, and defeated the Cougars 17-14.

The victory marks the fifth consecutive win for the Wolves and improved their overall record to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in GNAC play.

Both teams were held scoreless in the first quarter.

APU failed to convert two field goals in the first 17 minutes of the game. The first field goal bounced off of the left upright, narrowly missing three points by a matter of centimeters, and the second careened to the far right after catching a gust of wind.

WOU established their running game in the late first quarter and redshirt-sophomore Phillip Fenumiai (QB) lead the Wolves downfield and into the Cougars’ red zone.

After failing to convert a touchdown, senior Jesse Correa (K) kicked a 21-yard field goal to give the Wolves a 3-0 lead, just minutes into the second quarter.

After stopping APU on their next two drives, the Wolves raced downfield with runs from Fenumiai and from first year Malik Braxton (RB), who was excellent at grinding for extra yards after contact.

Braxton, who was awarded last week’s GNAC offensive player of the week, finished the game with 105 yards rushing.

Fenumiai would cap off the 12 play 59-yard drive with a 1-yard rush on a quarterback sneak, increasing Westerns’ lead to 10-0.

“The offensive line gives us everything they have every play, and we needed to give back,” said Braxton after the game. “Between me, Ambrose and Joe, we just want to get in there and hit the hole that the O-Line gives us.”

After the Wolves’ defense forced a three-and-out on APU’s ensuing possession, the Wolves would start their drive with great field position near midfield.

In his second game back from injury, senior Trey Shimabukuro (QB) would step in for Fenumiai and show his abilities at throwing the ball. Shimabukuro connected with redshirt-sophomore Paul Revis (WR) for a 16-yard touchdown, which increased the Wolves’ lead to 17-0 going into half time.

“Our offense controlled the clock in the first half,” said head coach Arne Ferguson. “We had the ball for twenty minutes which allowed our defense to make some key three-and-outs and play very aggressive.
In the third quarter, the Cougars showed grit and determination, scoring two unanswered touchdowns to tighten the score to 14-17. But the Wolves’ defense refused to give up.

Senior Breeon Moreno (DB) made an incredible play in the fourth quarter, breaking up a third down pass attempt in the secondary. Moreno would finish the game with two pass breakups and nearly come down with an interception.

¬¬“As a senior, I had to come out and make big plays for our defense and for our team to help us win,” said Moreno after the game. “Last year they beat us because of one big play and we came into the game wanting to stop them from converting on the big play, and make some ourselves.”

After failing to score in the fourth quarter, the Wolves found themselves in a familiar situation: just minutes left in the game and the ball in the hands of APU with a chance to even the score with a field goal or go ahead with a touchdown.

APU would start their final drive at their own 18-yard line.

With a balanced attack of passing and rushing, the Cougars marched downfield and into WOU territory. The Wolves’ defense held the line and forced APU into a fourth down with 4-yards to keep their drive alive. On fourth down, APU handed the ball off to their running back and he was stopped 3-yards short of the first down marker by senior Jonathan Breland (LB).

The Wolves would take over on downs and finish the game in the victory formation.

“I’m very proud of our defense. It has been a few weeks in a row making those plays in the fourth quarter,” Ferguson added.

WOU’s final two games of the season are both home games played at McArthur Field.

First, Western hosts South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Saturday Nov. 7 at 3:30 p.m. The last game features Humboldt State University, the first place team in the GNAC, on Saturday Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.

Ribich ready to take on regionals

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By: Brianna Bonham
Staff Writer

David Ribich started his sophomore year off strong with high hopes for the racing competitions this cross country season.

Being in the lead in the top 6 of the team, David is very determined to work with his team to get to nationals.

“Our ultimate goal is to get to nationals this year, we’re all very committed to that goal […] We’re committed to do the work it takes,” said Ribich.

Ribich said that he team last year “fell short at regionals” and with regionals being at Western this year, the team and David both feel a lot of pressure to perform. They want to make Western proud.

“When the season rolled around one of the highlights was [at] Sun Dodger where I went 24:38 minutes for 8K. It was a minute PR (personal record) and really set the tone for the rest of the season,” Ribich said.

He has been training to be his best in order to get to the goal of nationals.

Ribich recently set a new PR running a 10K at 32:02 minutes. His personal highlight is getting 4th in conference.

“The race started out like I thought it would,” Ribich said, adding “But we’re only climbing. We’re on the uphill for regionals.”

“For regionals right now, we are sitting in the middle of the pack between all the teams […] We’re in the hunt for it,” said Ribich. During their last race, the team exceeded what they were expecting and are feeling good about their ability to compete at regionals. They were ranked 7th in the conference this year and exceeded expectations.

This summer, he counseled at a running camp and was able to train through the summer and work to better his times. He managed multiple new PRs and is continuing to train.

“I just know that if I have support I can go out there and make everyone proud,” Ribich said. He looks to his family and community to support during races, and with Western being the host for regionals this year, he hopes that the community will come to support as well.

“At some point in the race, everyone is going to get physically tired,” he said. For Ribich, the majority of races are a mental challenge as opposed to a physical challenge. He believes that mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation.

Ribich has been running since 7th grade, he went to a small high school that did not offer soccer past 6th grade, and soccer was his passion. His sister ran cross country which inspired him to begin running as well.

He is in his sophomore year here at Western and is majoring in communication studies with a minor in sports leadership and sports development.

“Professional running is a macro goal for me. My micro goal is to pursue athletics,” Ribich said. Choosing this major/minor allows him to pursue his passion for athletics. He wants to pursue a post collegiate career in running and coaching

“Netflix is definitely a post workout priority […] Right now I’m watching Arrow, The 100, Prison Break and Supernatural,” Ribich added. He also finds time outside of workouts to hike and do outdoor activities.

Ribich and the cross country team hope to see Western supporters at regionals. He looks forward to pursuing cross country the rest of his college and professional career.

MSU Yellow Jackets sting Wolves on senior day

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By: Jamal Smith
Sports Editor

The Wolves women’s soccer team lost at home to Montana State University-Billings (MSU) 1-0 on Saturday, Oct. 24.

The loss brings the Wolves overall record to 7-7-1 and 3-6-1 in GNAC conference play.

A large crowd was on-hand to cheer on the pack for senior day, the last home game of the year.

“Senior day is a very exciting day and it’s a really emotional day,” stated head coach Steve Ancheta. “It’s hard to keep all of those emotions in check and come out and play well against a good opponent.”

Western fed off the energy from the crowd and pressed the Yellow Jacket’s defense.
Controversy arose in the 15th minute after the Wolves sent a cross into MSU’s 18-yard box which should have been a hand ball on one of MSU’s defenders. However, the referee chose not to award Western a penalty kick.

MSU took the lead in the 36th minute on a shot from the top of the 18-yard box which sailed over Nicole Tejada’s (GK) outstretched arms.

In the second half, the Wolves continued to press MSU but couldn’t find the back of the net. Western’s best chance for a goal came in the 56th minute when junior Mariah Konyn (M) just missed the top right corner.

The Wolves would outshoot MSU 14-4, but the Yellow Jacket’s stingy defense held their clean sheet.

“Although we lost, we still worked really hard as a team, and I’m really happy for our seniors,” stated Ancheta. “They brought a lot to this team and I will miss all those guys.”

The Wolves hit the road for the final two games remaining on their schedule. The first is against Seattle Pacific University on Thursday, Oct. 29, and the final game of the season is against Simon Frasier University Saturday, Oct. 31.

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