Mount Hood

Drought Relief

By: Jack Armstrong 
Copy Editor

S_Timbers

The Portland Timbers have ramped up their efforts to qualify for the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with a 5-2 win against the L.A. Galaxy on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 in Los Angeles.

Portland fielded a familiar lineup with the exception of young right back Taylor Paey (D) in place of regular starter Alvas Powell who was suspended for the clash. The Galaxy were quick to test the new man, but he proved himself to the fans throughout the night, effectively managing the left hand attack of L.A.

Despite the Timbers cohesive back line, Steven Gerrard (M) rattled the crossbar from a free kick just inside of three minutes into the first half.

Gerrard set the tone for the Galaxy going forward, and in the 35th minute, captain Robbie Keane hammered home a glorious curing volley into the top left corner of the Timbers’ goal.

As the second half kicked off with L.A. controlling the game with a 1-0 lead, Portland roared into life in the 64th minute on the back of leading scorer Fernando Adi (F).

Holding the ball up in L.A.’s box after some brilliant team play, Adi turned and struck a rising shot in the back of the net.

Adi would strike again as he drew a penalty two minutes later. Electing to take it, Adi stepped up and slotted the ball just underneath former Portland Keeper Donovan Ricketts (GK).

This opened the taps with Diego Chara (CDM) scoring a flying header in the 73rd minute.
Even though Keane was able to scrape one back to make it 3-2, Portland would grab two more unanswered goals almost instantly, one from Darlington Nagbe (M/F) in the 84th and another courtesy of Maximiliano Urruti (F) in the 89th minute.

Speaking to mls.com after the game, head coach Caleb Porter said “Maybe there are some guys in LA that are more talented than us, but we wanted to be the better team today.”

Racking up two wins in two against conference rivals including Real Salt Lake, Portland stands on the precipice of a playoff series, but it isn’t a dead lock just yet.

The Timbers must win in their last game against the Colorado Rapids Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 at Providence Park. If they lose, they must bank on Seattle or San Jose losing their last game, or Kansas City losing both of their final outings.

If Portland can manage to win on Sunday, there is the possibility that they will be the number two seed in the playoffs, granting them automatic passage to the semi-finals and a home game during the cup run.

The number two seed is up for grabs but only if Vancouver loses their last game while Sporting Kansas City and Los Angles draw, or if Vancouver loses and Sporting Kansas city draws or loses to their last game against the Rapids.

If the Timbers don’t secure the number two seed, they will be forced into the knockout rounds to play for a spot in the semifinals.

With a the goal drought still in very recent memory a knockout round with little to no rest could spell disaster for the team, but Portland have been playing better on the road than at home this season and the long rest between the end of the season and the semifinals could cool off their new-found momentum.

With all that being said, those of us in the stands can just sit back and look forward to an exciting round of matches approaching.

Homecoming powder-puff

By: Amanda Clarke 
Staff Writer

The annual powderpuff game took place on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at the intramural recreational field on campus.

This year’s game featured a match up between students living on-campus against students living off-campus.

“There were a lot of students supporting others, which was wonderful to see and be a part of such a united community!” said Karisa Merrill, a sophomore with a pre-professional biology major.

There was a pre-game tailgate that included free food. The event, which was hosted by the Student Activities Board, also gave all attendees chance to take pictures with mascot Wolfie before the game.

A firework display followed the powderpuff game.

The off-campus team sported black uniforms with pink lettering, and the on-campus team sported pink uniforms with black lettering.

Ann-Marie Matagi, a junior social science major, said she felt the game went well.

“There were times when it was aggressive, but other than that our team went out and had fun,” she said.

Matagi played for the off-campus team for her first year at Western this year.

The homecoming court nominees were introduced at halftime. They consisted of students who attended the homecoming activities throughout the week. Members of the Homecoming Court included Jordan Ducotey and Nathan Tew, Shay Guyton and Bryan Kelly and Kaylee Church.

The homecoming honorees from 2014 also made an appearance.

The final court was scheduled to be announced on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the homecoming football game.

The final score of the powderpuff game was 8-0 with off-campus emerging as the victors.

Western a hotspot for Hawaiian student-athletes

By: Jamal Smith 
Staff Writer

It has been well documented within the past decade that Oregon’s major universities have been a draw for Hawaiian athletes.

Although Western is a much smaller college than the University of Oregon or Oregon State, the Wolves still play host to a growing number of Hawaiian student-athletes.

On all three rosters of the football team, soccer team, and volleyball team, the Wolves have a total of 22 Hawaiian athletes; 13 on the football team, six on the soccer team, and three on the volleyball team).

These numbers may not seem all that staggering, but when comparing the number of Western’s Hawaiian athletes to the rosters of the other ten schools in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), it becomes clear that Western is a stand out in attracting Hawaiian players.

The rosters of football, soccer, and volleyball from all of the other 10 schools in the GNAC conference only have a grand total of 15 Hawaiian students (11 for football, three for soccer, and one for volleyball).

Yes, you read correctly. Western Oregon has seven more Hawaiian athletes in football, soccer, and volleyball than the 10 other teams in the GNAC conference combined.

Generally, Division-II schools across the country recruit athletes within their state lines or bordering states.

Central Washington’s women’s soccer team, for example, has a 28 person roster, all of which are from the state of Washington.

So what makes Western Oregon such a hot destination for Hawaiian athletes?

“I like the people; they’re all friendly,” stated first year midfield soccer player Taylor Cadiz from Mililani, Hawaii. “I also like that it’s a small school. The classes are really small and it’s easier to go to the professors and get help compared to a bigger university.”

Junior midfield/forward soccer player Machaela Rapozo from Lihue, Hawaii said, “I chose Western Oregon because it’s under the WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange Program) and we get in-state tuition here. Also, Oregon is pretty close to Hawaii because it’s on the west coast so we don’t have to travel that far to go back home.”

“There’s still a lot of [Hawaiians] here so you can get away from home but at the same time there’s still the comfort of having other [Hawaiians] here,” Rapozo added.

Whatever the reason may be for a Hawaiian athlete or student to choose Western Oregon over other universities, the Wolfpack is certainly happy to have them.

Wolfpack finds its stride

By: Jamal Smith
Staff Writer

The Western football team defeated Central Washington University (CWU) 31-25 on Saturday Oct. 17, 2015, at McArthur Field.

After last week’s emotional upset of no. 6 ranked University of Northern Alabama, the Wolves didn’t disappoint; they controlling the game from start to finish.

Sophomore Phillip Fenumiai (QB) got his first career start at quarterback for the home team.

In the game he would throw for 131 yards and two touchdowns, both to junior Andy Avgi (TE), in addition to running the ball for 44 yards with one 4-yard rushing touchdown.

“Our game plan was just simple enough to where everything was just easy and within my control,” stated Fenumiai. “[It] was nice because it got me rolling around on my feet, which I’m good at.”

After the Wolves exchanged three-and-outs with CWU on both teams’ first drives, Western got the ball back on their own 9-yard line for their second possession, marching downfield with a 12-play 91-yard touchdown drive.

First year Malik Braxton (RB/WR) who also got his first start, capped off the drive with a breakaway run for 44 yards and the touchdown, which put the Wolves up 7-0.

Braxton finished the game with 131-yards rushing. “We came in knowing that we wanted to run the ball on first and second down and the [offensive line] opened the holes,” stated Braxton.

CWU would answer on their second possession with a 4-play, 69-yard touchdown drive. After converting on a 2-point conversion, the Wildcats would take the lead 8-7 near the end of the first quarter.

On Western’s ensuing drive, the Wolves would find themselves in two third-down and long situations.

However, Fenumiai would keep the drive alive with a 29-yard scramble on 3rd and 7, and then a 26-yard pass to senior James DePew (WR) on 3rd and 18. Fenumiai would finish off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, putting the Wolves up 14-8.

The home side’s defense was good at stopping CWU’s running game, but had problems defending the deep ball. CWU would capitalize midway through the second quarter when Wildcats quarterback Justin Lane would throw a 39-yard touchdown pass to put CWU up 15-14.

But Western would not be stopped, running seven straight rushing plays. Eventually, Fenumiai would finish the drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Avgi, for his first of two touchdowns.

The Wolves would take a 21-15 lead going into halftime.

In the third quarter, Western started to pull away from the Wildcats.

After CWU added 3 points on a field goal, the Wolves would score a touchdown on Fenumiai’s second touchdown pass to Andy Avgi, this time for 17-yards.

Then, senior kicker Jesse Correa would add a 32-yard field goal to put the Wolfpack up 31-18 going into the final quarter.

CWU closed the gap on another long touchdown pass from Lane. The touchdown put CWU within 6 points of Western with 8:46 remaining for the game.

After three first-downs on their next drive, CWU would force the punt, but the Wolves would eat up over five minutes of clock. The Wildcats were left with only three minutes remaining for the game.

CWU started their final drive on their own 9-yard line and moved down field to the edge of the home team’s end zone.

The Wolves defense bunkered down and forced the Wildcats into a 4th down with only a yard to keep their drive alive. CWU handed the ball off to their running back on 4th down, but he was brought down simultaneously by junior George Swartzlender (DL) and senior Shane Kuenzi (LB) for a turn over on downs.

The Wolfpack would run out the clock to seal the victory.

This victory marks a turning point in the season, and is Western’s third consecutive win. The win improved their overall record to 4-3 and 2-1 in GNAC conference play.

“We try to focus on one week at a time and get better,” stated head coach Arne Ferguson after the game. “To get a win against a real good team like Central Washington, that’s a serious accomplishment, but we have some skills that we need to get better at.”

Western hits the road and heads north of the border to take on Simon Fraser University in British Columbia on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015.

The next home game is Saturday Oct. 31, 2015, against Azusa Pacific University (CA) at 1 p.m. at McArthur Field.

Volleyball beats MSU-Billings in three straight sets

By: Jamal Smith
Sports Editor

The Wolves’ volleyball team swept Montana State University-Billings on the road in three straight sets on Thursday Oct. 15, 2015. The set scores were 25-15, 26-24 and 26-24.

The Wolves snapped a seven game losing stretch and also recorded their first road victory of the season.

Redshirt freshman Amanda Short (OH) led Western with a match-high 14 kills, and also racked up 2 blocks. Sophomore Alisha Bettinson notched 11 kills.

With the road win, the Wolves improved to 5-14 overall and 2-8 in GNAC conference play.

Soccer drops game to Concordia 2-0

By: Jamal Smith 
Sports Editor

The Western women’s soccer team fell on the road to Concordia University Saturday Oct. 17, 2015.

After a scoreless first half, the Wolves conceded two goals, with the first coming in the 57th minute, and the second in the 90th with seconds remaining in the game.

The Wolves’ best chance at a goal came in the 86th minute when junior Kealakekua Makekau (M/D) sent a cross into the 18-yard box which junior Taylor Higa (F/M) volleyed just over the top of the goal.

During the course of a late five minute push, Western would take five shots on goal but were unable to find the back of the net.

After the heart-breaking loss, the Wolves overall record is 6-6-1 and 2-5-1 in GNAC conference play.

Volleyball falls short in close contest with Concordia

By: Jamal Smith 
Freelancer

The Western Oregon volleyball team lost at home in four sets on Oct. 13, 2015 to Concordia University (CU). The set scores were 25-19, 25-22, 21-25 and 25-20, in favor of CU.
The Wolves fell behind in the first set 5-12 but clawed their way back, eventually bringing the score to 14-19. It would continue to go back and forth from there, but CU would eventually win the set 25-19.
CU won the second set after a tight battle, resulting in 25-21.
After the two-set break, the Wolves came out with great energy and determination, winning the third set 25-20.
The fourth and final set was even at 13-13, but CU would outscore the Wolves 12-7 to close out the match.
First year player Amanda Short (OH), led the Wolves with 13 kills, and she also tallied 1 ace and 2 blocks. Junior Paige Kelsey (S/OPP) had 9 kills, 1 ace and 6 blocks.
The loss brings the Wolves’ overall record to 4-14 and 1-8 in GNAC conference play.
The Wolves’ hit the road on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2015 to take on Montana State University, before heading home for a two game stand against Seattle Pacific University on Thursday Oct. 22, 2015 at 7 p.m. and then Saint Martin’s University on Saturday Oct. 24, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the New P.E. Building.
For more information about the game or to purchase tickets, please call 503-838-8917 or visit the New P.E. Building, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
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Monmouth OR 97361

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Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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