Mesa Legend - Sports - National tourney bid highlight of fall season

National tourney bid highlight of fall season
Nick Kosmider
Mesa Legend
Though the Lady Thunderbird soccer team fell short in their bid for a National Championship, the team has plenty to be proud of as their team, under coach Tim Barmettler, soared to new heights this season.

In their first game in the National Tournament, the Thunderbirds lost a heartbreaker to Schoolcraft College from Michigan. The team battled to hard-fought 1-1 tie in regulation, but fell a goal short in penalty kicks and lost their first round game.

The girls did not let the loss phase them though, as they bounced back the next day with a solid 4-2 win over Harford Community College from Maryland.

Unfortunately, on the final day of play, the Thunderbirds came up short against Laramie County Community College (Wyoming) in a 2-0 shutout.

Cammi Kellar and Monique Wells, who have been solid all year long for the Lady T-birds, were named to the All-Tournament team.

Perhaps as impressive as any achievement for the Thunderbirds all year though, was their winning of the Lee Plarski Sportsmanship Award, which is given out every year to the team in the tournament that exemplifies great sportsmanship. It was just one of many reasons the team should be proud of their effort.

The girls were led all season by the strong offensive efforts of Krista Mirabelli, Andrea Evans, Cammi Kellar, and Celene Molera, though thier rise to the top was a complete team effort. Monique Wells was a brick wall in goal for MCC all year with eight shutouts.

The boys soccer team also fared well this season. Led by standout Nick Auditore, who led the ACCAC in scoring, the Thunderbirds rode a late season winning streak into the playoffs where they upset Arizona Western. In the second round MCC fell to a tough Pima squad 2-0.

It was, however, a rough season for the Mesa football team. Inexperience and a propencity for turnovers handicapped the Thunderbirds all season long.

Ben Nowicki had a great season punting for MCC as he led the WSFL in punting average. Rudy Flemming was also a standout for Thunderbirds as he was among the league leaders in punt return average.

Defensively, Billy Ray Weathorford helped lead a solid defense crew that kept the Thunderbirds in many games this season. Leon Freeman, who returned from Iraq to play for MCC, was also a key member of the T-bird defense.

The Thunderbird knotted just one conference victory with a win over Pima Community College, however solid defensive play leaves coach Dan Dunn and the rest of the staff hopeful for next season.

Though the volleyball team started off slow, a midseason four game winning streak gave first year coach Ku Salinas much to look forward to, especially considering her team was comprised of soley freshman. Jill Riding was impressive for the Thunderbirds the entire season, emerging as one of the top players in the ACCAC.

Though frustrated by a administrative mistake that kept them out of competion, the Mesa Cross Country team performed well all season also. The girls took first place at the George Kyte Invitational earlier in the year, and the coaches hold high hopes for next season.