One of the newest editions to the No. 3 nationally ranked
MCC women’s soccer team, is forward Jarrett DaCunha of Holland.
Just as she’s getting familiar with the college and the United States,
take this opportunity to get familiar with her.
New faces lead MCC cross country in a new directionBeginning the season with a brand new team of athletes, the cross country team is surprising everybody, including itself, with its performance so far.
Thunderbird football thumps Globe-Miami
MCC football launched its season with home opener against the Globe-Miami Sting on Sept. 10. The first play of the game, a kickoff return for 57 yards by Mesa’s Jonathan Brown, was only a portrait of things to come, as the Thunderbirds rolled to victory 50 to 13.
Women’s soccer rolling along
The mighty MCC women’s soccer team started their 2005 season by winning their first seven matches with a combined score of 23 goals to five goals.
Ashley Straub and Amanda Nance have led the team offensively, with a total of 25 points and nine goals between them. Fortifying the goal with their remarkable defense are keepers, Tara Gaffaney and Monique Wells. Both are ranked among the top 25 goalkeepers nationally and Wells was named Goalie of the Week by the NJCAA for the week of Aug. 28-Sept. 3.
All of the accomplishments lead the team to be ranked No. 3 in the national polls, the highest ever for the team. However, in a primetime Monday showdown with Dixie State College of Utah, the No. 5 team in the country, the Thunderbirds perfect record was spoiled when their comeback fell short and loss, one goal to two goals.
It should be only a minor setback for the team as they face Cochise College at home, Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball coming together
A rocky beginning will prove to be motivation for Lady Thunderbirds this season.
The 2005 MCC women’s volleyball team is dominating the score board this year by demonstrating team effort and solid execution.
The Thunderbirds went into game four of the season, on Sept. 7, against Yavapai Community College, with a record of one win and two losses.
With their minds set on attack mode, the Lady Thunderbirds scored first in the opening match to gain control over the game, and they never looked back. The Thunderbirds won all three matches against YCC and evened their overall record.
The most noticeable change in the Thunderbird’s game that evening: everyone played smarter and more efficiently.
“We have improved a lot from the previous games. Everyone is stepping up and coming out of their shells,” team captain Lenneya Isaac stated.
Key contributors in the team’s victory against YCC were middle blocker Irene Bahe and outside hitter Jazz Ferreira. They are both seasoned sophomores with experience that will be vital throughout the season.
Still pumped from their previous win, the Lady Thunderbirds dominated the Gila Monster Tournament in Thatcher, Arizona, tallying a record of five wins and one loss against several quality teams.
And it was only a few short days later that they were back on the road in Tucson playing Pima Community College in a game they won with grace and style.
When the Lady Thunderbirds finally returned to action in town, it was time for the Valley of the Sun Tournament held at Scottsdale Community College.
The first of three days in the intense tournament had the team playing three challenging matches, in which they won two and lost one.
Entering the last game of the tournament, the Lady Thunderbirds had improved their overall season record to an impressive number of 11 wins and four losses. Although they gave it 100 percent, the ladies came up short against Riverside, ending their tournament run.
There is still a long and exciting season ahead for the Thunderbirds, whose next home game won’t be until Oct. 5 against Glendale Community College.