Mesa Legend - SPORTS - Men’s soccer striving for playoff position

October 25,2005
SPORTS
T-Bird sports round-up

Chris Ramirez
Mesa Legend

Womens's Soccer
Having won five games in a row, four of those shutouts by goalkeepers Monique Wells and Tara Gaffaney, the MCC women’s soccer team found themselves on the losing end of a game for only the second time this season.
Losing to No. 2 ranked Dixie State College on Sept. 19, the team lost this time to regional foe Chandler-Gilbert Community College, one to nil, on Oct. 15. It was a game the Thunderbirds dominated, but didn’t capitalize on numerous opportunities in front of their opponent’s goal. Chandler-Gilbert scored the lone goal in overtime on their only shot of the game.
“It’s a little concerning because we didn’t score a whole lot against Glendale either, and we need to start finding the back of the net,” said MCC coach Tim Barmettler.
However, it only took one day for the team to rebound as they topped Illinois Central College three goals to one. The playoffs will start Oct. 25, with MCC not playing till Oct. 27, because they have earned a first round bye.

Women's Basketball
The women’s basketball team started the month of October by getting their 2005 season underway with practice beginning on Oct. 3. The team will spend a majority of the month practicing with only four pre-season games scheduled before the season opener at home against the College of Southern Idaho on Nov. 17.
However, the women did get their first taste of competition on Oct. 8, as MCC hosted the ACCAC Women’s Basketball Jamboree. With all members except Phoenix College, Yavapai, and Scottsdale Community Colleges participating, the jamboree was a chance for the teams to size each other up and scrimmage for coaches and scouts who may recruit the players once their time at the junior college level has ended.
Coming from as far as Providence College in Rhode Island, there were about 20 coaches and scouts in attendance. MCC coach Robin Schamber is even considering making the jamboree bigger next year by inviting schools from California, Utah, and Texas.
In addition to an already busy preseason, the Lady Thunderbirds will be hosting a golf tournament on Nov. 5th, at Shalimar Country Club in Tempe. The tournament is to benefit the team, as all proceeds will go directly to the players to help them with the cost of classes and books. It will be a nine-hole event followed by a barbeque and silent auction which will feature golf packages and an autographed basketball from the Phoenix Suns. There are still spots available, so to join please contact Coach Schamber at 480-461-7544.

Cross Country
The cross country season has been cruising along as the MCC men and women’s squads have had a meet every week since the beginning of September. Recently, they took on regional opponents Yavapai, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Pima Community Colleges in addition to ASU, U of A, and New Mexico State at the ASU Invitational at Kiwanis Park.
Coralee Choules shined as she led the tenth ranked women’s team to a sixth place finish with a time of 20 minutes and 51.7 seconds in the 5,000 meter course. Right behind Choules were Diana Pacheco, Valerie Dvorak, Jamie Benally, and Emily Hartman, all finishing in under 22 minutes.
The men took seventh place with an average time of 28 minutes and 30.86 seconds to complete their 8,000 meter course.
Tyrin Bert finished No. 29 of 81 runners with his season best time of 28 minutes and 6.7 seconds.
The final meet of the season will be the NJCAA Region I Championships, which is this Friday, Oct. 28, at Kiwanis Park.