Tuesday, October 1 8, 201 1 I TechNews GRAEME PORT sports@technewsiit.com 11 Men's soccer conference bid up in the air By Ciaran Kohli-Lynch SPORTS EDITOR The Men’s Soccer Team entered their conference season on a high two weeks ago, with two promising victories over Olivet Naza— rene and Cardinal Stritch University. Unfortunately, as the season has pro— gressed, a string of disappointing results now leaves the Hawks in seventh place in confer— ence with four games remaining before play— offs. A failure to close out matches saw the team post three losses in the last two weeks against the University of Saint Francis, Saint Xavier University and Robert Morris. On Tuesday, October 4th the Hawks hosted the University of Saint Francis. Despite a promising opening spell they found them— selves with a first half deficit, after Victor Tru— jillo struck home from outside the area in the 16th minute. Liam Barrett equalized in the sec— ond half from a Gui Nunes free kick to give the Hawks some hope of a comeback, but this hope was short—lived. In the 68th minute, after some poor defending, goalkeeper Sam Winstanley was forced to concede a penalty and received a red card when he brought down a Saint Fran— cis striker in the box. His replacement, Jared Svaldi’s first job was to pick the ball out of the net, Trujillo sending him the wrong way with his penalty kick. Things went from bad to worse for the Hawks as they failed to recover any mo— mentum after the sending off and conceded a string of late goals to lose 5—1. Having lost in such an emphatic manner to Saint Francis, the Hawks went into their next game away to Trinity Christian College on Saturday 8th looking to show the bouncebackability of champions. The game was a tight affair on Trin— ity’s homecoming match and stayed level until the dying minutes. After a string of missed op— portunities by the Hawks front line and a num— ber of great saves by the Trinity goalkeeper, Rob Ritchie—Smith did superbly to cut in from the edge of the penalty area and slot the ball home from 15 yards. Next on the schedule was a tricky fixture away to last season’s CCAC tourna— ment champions, Saint Xavier University. In what proved to be an enthralling encounter, the Hawks took the lead on the half hour mark through a Liam Barrett header. The Hawks looked to be in control minutes after half—time when Rob Ritchie— Smith converted a Graeme Port cross to dou— ble the lead. Unfortunately, Saint Xavier were granted a lifeline back into the match seconds after the restart, when Kyle nodded home from an Al Palar cross. What followed next was ex— traordinary as the Hawks conceded a further four goals in just under twenty minutes. With a three goal deficit to overturn, the Hawks piled on the pressure and a Rob Ritchie—Smith free—kick thirteen minutes from time gave them renewed hope of an inspired comeback. This was not to be, however, as Saint Xavier saw out the remaining minutes of the match with a period of assured possession. Finally, the Hawks played local ri— vals Robert Morris University at home on Photo by Melanie Koto Saturday 15th. With the away supporters out in numbers, the match was a tense and fiery affair from the start. Liam Barrett converted a Robert Ritchie—Smith cross on the stroke of half—time to give the Hawks a deserved lead, but this was cancelled out ten minutes after the restart. Graeme Port responded immediate— ly for the Hawks, tapping home after some im— pressive build—up play by Barrett and Ritchie— Smith. The lead was once again short—lived, however, as Robert Morris rallied to fire home four goals in the closing twenty minutes to win 5—2 on the night. Women's Volleyball hit .500 By Kayla Heller STAFF WRITER The Illinois Tech Women’s Volleyball team had a by—week this past week, but before that the Lady Hawks played two conference games, resulting in one win and one loss and bringing their conference record to 4—4, and their overall record to 13—13. The Hawks dropped their first game to Olivet Nazarene University on October 4th in a three game set (17—25, 14—25, 14—25). The team was led at the net by sophomore Kate Kendall who had 8 kills in the match, while Freshman Shea Manley chipped in 7 kills. Junior Rebecca Bograd had 29 assists in the match, while sophomore Brittany Mead chipped in 18 digs. Two days later, the Hawks brought it back to Keating Sports Center where they took on Purdue Calumet. The team had some trouble with consistent play but eventually pulled out the win in a four game set (25—17, 21—25, 25—17, 25—21). Manley led the Hawks with 12 kills in the match, while Senior Kayla Heller and sophomore Rebecca Wilson each had 11 kills apiece. Bograd chipped in 40 set assists and Junior Mariska Vandenbergh added 5 blocks. The Lady Hawks will host their annual “Dig Pink!” game tonight at 7pm at Keating Sports Center. They will face conference rivals Purdue North—Central while donning pink jerseys to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month. Come out and support the team to another conference victory! Athlete Spotlight: Phil Theisen Name: Phil Theisen Year: Senior Major: Architectural Engineer Sport: Cross Country and Track Favorite Race: 8k’s and Steeple Favorite thing about your sport: The team What you like best about the fans at your meets: Good sportsmanship Favorite thing to do on Campus: Watch movies Best tip for anyone who wants to be great at your sport: Train hard or just shave your head so you’re more aerodynamic.