August 31, 2007

This Week in Walsh University Athletics

Monday, August 27, 2007

Fri. 31 Men's Soccer (H) Subway/Comfort Inn Men's Soccer Classic

Ohio Dominican vs. Siena Heights 6 pm

University of Rio Grande at Walsh 8 pm

Volleyball at Roberts Wesleyan Tournament

vs. Azusa Pacific 4 pm

vs. Virginia Intermont 8 pm

Sat. Sept. 1

Football at West Liberty State 12 pm (AM 900 WCER, News-Talk 640 WHLO)

Men's Soccer (H) Subway/Comfort Inn Men's Soccer Classic

Roberts Wesleyan vs. Ohio Dominican 5 pm

Siena Heights at Walsh 7 pm

Volleyball at Roberts Wesleyan Tournament

vs. Roberts Wesleyan 10 am

vs. University of Saint Francis (IN) 12 pm

FOOTBALL: Walsh Opens 13th Season at West Liberty State

Walsh (0-0) opens its 13th season on the road, when they play at West Liberty State (WV) (0-0) on Saturday at 1 pm.  The game will be broadcast live on 900 AM WCER, News-Talk 640 WHLO and on the internet at www.wcer.us.  Jim Dennison (88-42, 12 yrs./168-104-2, 25 yrs.) returns 38 letter winners from Walsh's 9-3 NAIA playoff team of 2006.  It was the Cavs first post season appearance, and their best record to date. The Cavs have never had a losing season.  Walsh is ranked 15th in the NAIA's preseason poll.

The Cavs and West Liberty are opening the season for the third straight year.  Walsh won 42-16 at Fawcett Stadium last year and lead the series 6-3.  West Liberty finished 7-4 last year and returns 35 letter winners. Walsh is 10-2 in season opening games, with their last loss coming at West Liberty (20-17) in 2005.

MEN'S SOCCER: Soccer Opens 37th Season at Home

Walsh (0-0) opens its 37th season at home, as they host the Subway/Comfort Inn Classic this weekend.  Walsh opens the season with Roberts Wesleyan on Friday night at 8 pm, then play Siena Heights on Saturday at 7 pm.  The Classic opens with Ohio Dominican playing Siena Heights on Friday at 6 pm.  On Saturday, Roberts Wesleyan meets Ohio Dominican at 5 pm.

Veteran Coach Tim Mead (272-187-29) brings back 18 letter winners from his 11-6-1 playoff team of 2006.  The Cavs also return eight starters. This will be Mead's 26th year on the bench.

WOMEN'S SOCCER: Cavs Open Season in Style

Walsh opened its 20th season in style, by winning both games at the Cougar Cup in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  This is Walsh's first 2 -0 start since the 2004 season. The Cavs have never won their first three games of the season, but did start the 1992 season 3-0-1. 

Walsh defeated the University of Saint Francis (IN) 4-0 on Friday.  Amanda Waltz (Sr., North Canton, OH/HS) scored twice and had an assist in the win.  Walsh scored twice in each half.  Amanda Patrick (So., Medina, OH/Cloverleaf) gave Walsh a 1-0 lead at the 4:40 of the first half, on an assist from Waltz.  Stephanie Sussman (Fr., Wadsworth, OH/HS) then scored at the 16:33 mark, as Walsh took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.  Waltz scored twice in the second half, at the 57:42 on a breakaway and then at the 61:38 mark.  Goalie Rachel Burcher (So., Wadsworth, OH/HS) stopped eight shots in recording the shutout.

The Cavs went down to the wire against Bethel College on Saturday, as Abby Swope (Sr., Wadsworth, OH/HS) scored an unassisted goal at the 89:59 mark to give Walsh a 3-2 win. Rachel Naumann (Fr., Hinckley, OH/Highland) opened the scoring at the 38:08 mark of the first half on an assist from Chrissy Summers (So., Doylestown, OH/Chippewa) to give the Cavs a 1-0 lead.  Swope then scored the first of her two goals on an assist from Amanda Patrick (So., Medina, OH/Cloverleaf) at the 42:00 mark of the first half.  Bethel tied the game with second half goals at the 53:51 and 78:07 marks.   Walsh keeper Rachel Burcher (So., Wadsworth, OH/HS) had nine saves.

Walsh's next game is September 4, at home, against Tri-State University.

VOLLEYBALL: Cavs Open 30th Season on the Road

Walsh opens its 30th season on the road this weekend, when they participate in the Roberts Wesleyan Invitational. Fourth year Head Coach Krista Singleton (82-28) returns 10 letter winners and five starters from Walsh's 35-3, American Mideast Conference regular season champion and tournament championship team.  Walsh is ranked 13th in the NAIA Preseason Poll.

Walsh opens against NAIA No. 8 Azusa Pacific (CA) at 4 pm on Friday.  Walsh then meets Virginia Intermont at 8 pm.  On Saturday, the Cavs meet host Roberts Wesleyan at 10 am, and play the University of Saint Francis (IN) at 12 pm.