Athletics News
Warriors Stun... Crash Ottawa's Postseason Party 17-13
Jason Donally of Victory Magazine, an NAIA review called this in advance. The postseason picture could see some twists because of a possible upset of the #14 ranked Ottawa Braves was brewing in Sterling, Kansas. Off the gut wrenching OT loss to St. Mary one week ago, the Warriors were undoubtedly looking to get the bad taste out of their mouth. Beating a seemingly playoff bound 8-1 Ottawa team would no doubt do just that, and a 17-13 Warrior defensively dominating game proved Donally's premonition accurate.
I am sure Coach Kessinger of Ottawa would have felt great about his team's chances going in if he knew his defense would hold the explosive SC QB Tyler Degenhardt to a mere 25 yards rushing on the day. The Warrior defense however proved last week an aberration as the deadly arm of Ottawa QB Ethan Haller was only able to muster up 218 yards passing, 80 yards short his average, many of those coming in a late 4th quarter drive down two scores. The rushing game for Ottawa was also stunted gaining a mere 52 yards on the ground, almost 100 yards short of their average. "Our defense really rallied from last week," remarked Head Coach Andy Lambert. "You just hope your team will respond after a tough week like that... I think they did against a great Ottawa team like this."
The game was a back and forth contest early as the cold wind from the northwest seemed to stifle the offenses. After a short punt from deep in Ottawa territory that gave the Warrior offense the ball on the Ottawa 24 yard line, it only took 3 plays before Tyler Degenhardt was able to find WR Carlos De Los Reyes in the end zone for the first score of the game on the 8 yard completion.
From that point on, the teams would trade the ball back and forth, with both teams unable to capitalize on turnovers, Sterling with two and Ottawa with one before halftime would find the game still at 7-0 in the Warrior's favor. The third quarter would continue the tug of war as each offense seemingly did not want to hang onto the ball as Ottawa turned it over three times to Sterling's two. The third Ottawa turnover however, would give the Warriors an opportunity two go up two scores if soccer/football player Mladen Bjelica could use the northwest wind to boot a 40 yarder through the south goal. With no room to spare, the kick fell to the ground just clearing the cross bar, giving SC the 10-0 advantage going into the 4th quarter.
Feeling the pressure of faltering and losing any hopes of playing on, it seemed the offense of the Braves under the leadership of Haller picked up their game, putting an impressive 77 yard drive together at the 10 minute mark in the 4th quarter to move the game within a field goal, Ottawa now having the wind at their back. With seven minutes to play, the Warriors would have to keep the ball out of the hands of the Ottawa offense. On a key 3rd and 5 at midfield, Tyler Degenhardt, despite being stopped all afternoon scrambled for 22 yards deep into Ottawa territory, moving the chains, and more importantly, keeping the ball in Warrior possession with the clock moving. After a crucial penalty on a 3rd down moving the Warriors back, followed by an incompletion; the Warriors having no chance for a field goal with the wind in their face snapped the ball on 4th down from the 27 yard line; a Degenhardt lob to De Los Reyes who fought off the defender came down with the catch and the first down on the Ottawa 1 yardline, all but sealing the fate of the Braves; that being done when Degenhardt flew through the Brave D-Line for a touchdown, making the score 17-7.
Haller would drive his team for one more touchdown late in the 4th quarter, but the onside failing, leaving the Sterling offense and senior Tyler Degenhardt kneeling down the season on a win over 14th ranked Ottawa 17-13. On Degenhardt, Lambert commented, "I don't know if I have seen a better career from his redshirt year to now, all of the things we have asked him to do, and the level at which he was able to do them. The play he broke in the 4th quarter to allow us to keep the ball tipified that and was possibly one of the best athletic football plays I have ever seen in my 17 year coaching career."
The win gave the Warriors a 7-3 season, 7-2 in the KCAC, good for a second place tie with Ottawa. This season's seniors being the redshirt class the Lambert era brought in were a big reason for the rebuilt Warrior football program. "We lose 19 seniors off this talented team, 9 of which have been here 5 years, their first as redshirts. What they have done to help turn this program around has been a great achievement; and we are excited for the future of what those guys have begun in Sterling football."
The KCAC will send Friends University as the lone postseason participant, finishing their undefeated run with a convincing win over St. Mary's today putting them at 10-0. The coaches will meet tomorrow for All-Conference selections which will be released immediately following.
The win marked yet another winning season in the Lambert era, now garnering a 27-12 overall record at Sterling College since the fall of 2005 having taken over a program winless in the previous two seasons.
Sterling Men's Soccer Places Three on KCAC First Team
The Sterling Men's soccer team had three nominees for the All-Conference men's soccer team, and all three earned First Team honors. Sterling perennially places several players on the all conference team, but it is rare to have three guys selected to the First Team. Seniors Ryan Covey and Jorge Bueso, along with junior, Justin Martens were the players honored for their outstanding play on the season.
Forward Ryan Covey of Edmond, Oklahoma scored 16 goals for the season and added 5 assists. In the second game of the season, Covey surpassed Brandon Winn as the all-time leading goal-scorer in Sterling soccer history, and finished with 53 goals for his career. Covey was also named NAIA National Player of the Week for week five.
Jorge Bueso of LaLima, Honduras finished the year with 7 goals and 3 assists. Bueso proved to be a versatile player, seeing time at both forward and midfield throughout the season.
Justin Martens was recognized for his outstanding play as a defender, holding down defensive responsibilities in both the midfield and in the back throughout the course of the season. The Wichita product tallied 7 goals and 1 assist from his defensive position.
Sterling soccer coach, Dave Underwood said, "It is a great honor to have three guys named to the first team. All three deserve the accolades as they had outstanding seasons, and it's nice to see that other coaches in the conference recognize that as well." All three players will be recognized at half-time of the conference championship match in Ottawa on Saturday, November 15th.
Lady Warriors place four on All-KCAC Team
Four members of the Sterling College women’s soccer team gained all-conference recognition following the 2008 season.
Sophomore forward Kylie Yates led the way being named to the KCAC First Team after scoring fourteen goals and dishing out two assists during the 2008 campaign. Yates was a second team performer last season.
“Kylie has continued to become a real scoring threat for us the past two years,” said Sterling College Head Coach Justin Morris. 
Senior Elisabeth Gafford and junior Kate Good earned Second Team All-KCAC honors and sophomore Joanne Williams was named to the Honorable Mention Team to round-out SC’s postseason honors.
Gafford anchored the Sterling defense during the 2008 season. This is Gafford’s second year in a row to be named the all conference second team. She was named the Honorable Mention list her sophomore season.
Good who earned 2nd All-KCAC honors played in the midfield for the Lady Warriors and scored 3 goals and tallied 3 assists on the season.
Williams along with Good appeared for the first time in her career on the honorable mention team as a defender. Williams tallied one goal the season while playing in the back for the Lady Warriors.
“We are very excited to have all these ladies recognized by the KCAC,” said Morris. “All four players have been very instrumental in our program and our success over the past few years.”
1st Team All KCAC
Kylie Yates – Sophomore – Forward – Berthoud, Colorado
2nd Team All-KCAC
Elisabeth Gafford – Senior – Defender- Crowley, Texas
Kate Good – Junior – Midfield – Lincoln, California
Honorable Mention All-KCAC
Joanne Williams – Sophomore – Defender – Plano, Texas.
Lady Warrior Soccer ends season on penalty kicks
The Sterling College women's soccer team ended their season Friday night on a penalty kick shootout with McPherson College. Sterling who escaped McPherson one week earlier with a 1-0 victory in Sterling knew it was was going to be a "dog fight".
As it was in the first game McPherson and Sterling both showed up ready to play and battled it out through nintey minutes to end in a 1-1 tie and then two scoreless 10 minute overtime periods.
In the first half, sophomore Kylie Yates put Sterling up 1-0 in the 37th minute of the game, as she broke past the McPherson goalkeeper and put the ball into the open net. Sterling held the lead going into the half.
In the second half, McPherson cranked up the offensive pressure as they put eleven shots at SC keeper Katie Clark. In the 64th minute McPherson's Jessica Stahr found Alyssa Baldi in front of the Sterling goal a pounded the ball into the lower right corner for the tying score 1-1. Neither team could any finish any opportunities throughout the rest of regulation.
In the first overtime Yates almost pulled the game winner out as she found Mac's keeper thirty yards out from her goal but her shot was barley deflected by the diving keeper. Then in the second overtime Elaine Fontes broke free inside the eighteen but her shot sailed wide of the goal. So then we were onto penalty kicks.
Sterling's first shot was saved by the Mac keeper, the second one was scored, the third one was saved and the fourth one missed the post by inches. McPherson scored 3 of there 4 shots.
"This was a tremendous game to be a part of" said Head Coach Justin Morris. "I am very proud of our team today they competed from the very first minute of the match till the last one.We unfortunately just couldn't convert on the penalty kicks. I couldn't have ask for a better effort. McPherson is a very talented team and I felt we stepped up and gave them a battle".
Sterling ends the season at 7-9-2 and qualifed for the KCAC playoffs for the fifth year in a row. Sterling will graduate five seniors this season.
Photo courtesy of Grayson Graves
Spires Block Warriors from Late Season Push, defeating SC in OT 47-48
"These games are the reason we coach," remarked Head Coach Andy Lambert in a post game interview. "This was just great back and forth battle and the kind of excitement you hope to have in college football."
Excitement it was. Knowing going in that St. Mary would air it out and the Warriors would grind on the ground made the match-up all the more appealing. There was no argument that both Quarterbacks on the field Saturday were the keys to the game; Sterling's Tyler Degenhardt with his feet, and St.Mary's Daniel Robles with his arm. Both would have big days.
The Spires would draw first blood as a crucial 4th down mishap at the end of the 4th quarter would give the Spires great field position. A bad snap in the punt formation forcing a kneel down woud give the Spires the ball 22 yards away from paydirt in which they would capitilize 3 plays later on Robles to Derick Shulte 15 yard completion.
The Warriors would quickly answer with a 50 yard drive early in the 2nd quarter capped off by a Degenhardt to Rashard Colquitt TD reception. The two prize fighter like teams would them trade some blows as the Spires with a big 53 yard pass completion from Robles to his favorite target on the day, Glen Wallin, would set up another Robles passing TD, again finding Wallin in the end zone.
The Warriors would answer right back with two big runs from Degenhart and Colquitt, Colquitt's 29 yarder finding the goal line. After the failed two-point conversion, the score would be 13-12. Robles of St. Mary would quickly find Tai Murray two consecutive times in the air to give St. Mary an 18-13 lead at halftime.
The Warriors would strike on their first possession of the 2nd half with a Carlos De Los Reyes TD reception from Degenhardt. The Robles show took no break as he would guide St. Mary on a 71 yard drive the subsequent possession and cap it off with an 8 yard scramble for a touchdown. After a quick Warrior series and punt, it seemed as though Robles and the Spires could bury an early dagger in the Warriors as they drove to the Sterling 15 yard line. With going up 2 scores seemingly assured, the reliable Robles overthrew a TD intended pass finding Warrior corner Brent Schnieder who would return it 88 yards the other direction, setting up another De Los Reyes TD reception with Degenhardt; possibly one of the biggest momentum swings of the game at that point.
Robles would then throw two consecutive interceptions, one to Brock Frank, and a second to Austin Kingsbury; both resulting in Warrior touchdowns by Tyler Degenhardt. Depending on which Daniel Robles would come back out to the field after the set back would foretell how the remainder of the game would go. The first half Robles would be back as he would master two impressive drives, the first 58 and the second, and an incredible 83 yard drive; which would require a 2 point conversion attempt to tie the game at 41. With yet another pass to Willie Harris, the comeback was solidified with the score tied 41-41 with just under two minutes to go.
The two minute offense would prove effective for the Warriors, however, as Degenhardt would lead the Warrior down to the 10 yard line with under a minute to go and a great opportunity to win the game. On a 2nd down, defensivemen John Annino for the Spires would make the biggest sack of the day, snagging Degenhardt for a 10 yard loss. After a 5 yard penalty on the next play, the Warriors were forced to go for a much longer field goal try then they had planned, 41 yards against a stiff wind. With the kick short, overtime was underway.
The Spires would have first posession, resulting in a quick TD strike from Robles to Tai Murray with the extra point threw the score would be 48-41.
On the first play for the Warriors, Degenhardt would find Clay McEachern in the end zone for a 25 yard score. Just as quick as the emotions skyrocketed, they fell to the ground as the extra point would find the hands Defensive lineman Chris Joly of the Spires blocking the tying attempt, ending the game, the final 47-48.
As billed, the quarterbacks would lead the way with Tyler Degenhardt for the Warriors responsible for 6 touchdowns (4 passing, 2 rushing); and Daniel Robles for St. Mary putting up a stunning 450 yards passing with 7 touchdowns (5 passing, 2 rushing), easily the MVP of the game for St. Mary.
The Warriors with the loss would fall out of a second place tie with Ottawa, their opponent for next week's season finale. National tournament implications will still be on the line next week as the 7-1 Ottawa has an outside chance of getting an at large as the 2nd place finisher, with Friends likely to run the table. Sterling will have the opportunity to play the spoiler, as Ottawa is no doubt wishing they could play any other team in the league than a Warrior team with as much desire and courage and welcome of what could be a thriller season finisher.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 at Smisor Stadium.
Tyler Degenhart named KCAC "Offensive Player of the Week"
Sterling College senior Tyler Degenhardt was named the KCAC "Offensive Player of the Week" after helping lead the Warriors to a win over Kansas Wesleyan University Saturday.
Degenhardt, a 5'9, 195lb. running back, from Holton, KS. lead Sterling to a 26-19 win at Kansas Wesleyan University, he completed 10 of 20 pass attempts for 118 yards and 1 passing touchdown with 1 interception, and he also rushed 22 carries for 128 yards and 1 rushing touchdown, for a total of 246 yards offense.
Sterling is now 6-2 overall and 6-1 in the KCAC. The Warriors are tied for second in the KCAC with Ottawa and will host Saint Mary this week and Ottawa next week.
Sterling Falls to Friends in OT
The Sterling men's soccer team needed just one more win to guarantee a spot in the post-season, and came up empty with a 3-2 loss in OT at Friends University on Saturday night. The Warriors found themselves down to Friends 2-0 at half-time after the Falcons were able to score two first half goals. Early in the second half, at the 56th minute, the Warriors were able to notch their first goal of the night when Justin Martens slammed a shot into the back of the net after a Jordan Miller throw-in ricocheted off the crossbar. Late in the game, with about 4 minutes left in the match, Sterling back, Henry Sanabria collided with a Friends player resulting in both players going to the hospital for repairs to their split heads. Unfortunately for Sanabria and the Warriors, the official added insult to injury by showing Sanabria a red card as he walked off the field with a bloodied head. Now with a man down, it appeared the result of 2-1 would stand. With seconds left in the game, Sterling was awarded a direct free kick on the right side of the Falcon's penalty box. The Warriors took their time to get all players, including GK Zach Hallen into the box. Shawn Sajjadi drove a perfect ball into the box that Hallen brought down off his chest and poked to the back post for Sterling's Jordan Miller to bang in the equalizer with :06 remaining on the game clock. The Falcons were not to be denied, however, as Rusty Shannon burried the game winner off of a corner kick in the 8th minute of the first OT period.
The Warriors entered the final week of the season needing just one win in their final three games to advance to the post-season tournament; however, Sterling was not able to pull through with the necessary victory, ending on a three game losing streak and a premature ending to the season. "Obviously, we are disappointed to have the season end this early," said Sterling coach, David Underwood. "This doesn't change the fact that we had a solid season with a 10-7 record. We did a lot of great things and we have plenty to build on."
Lady Warrior soccer advances to playoffs with win at Friends
The Sterling College women's soccer team finished the regular season up Saturday with a win at Friends University 2-1 over the Falcons.
Sterling jumped out on one of the better defensive teams in the conference in the second minute of the game when Joanne Williams found the back of the net. Sterling held a 1-0 lead going into half-time. In the second half, Friends evened things up when Allyssa Cox found the net and tied the game 1-1 with 21 minutes left in the game. Senior Elaine Fontes almost put the game winner away one minute later when the FU goalkeeper mis-hit a ball that dribbled right to Fontes' foot but her shot went wide. Finally in the 77th minute Kylie Yates scored her sixth game winner of the season away as Sterling escaped with a 2-1 win and qualified for the the upcoming KCAC Tournament.
Sterling will be the #6 seed and play against #3 McPherson on Friday at 6:30pm tentatively at McPherson College. The Warriors played McPherson last Wednesday and won 1-0 in Sterling. If the Lady Warriors win they will advance to play #2 Ottawa University on Nov. 14th at 2:30pm. The KCAC semifinals and championship are being hosted by Ottawa University.
Kylie Yates tabbed as KCAC "Offensive Player of Week"
Sophomore Kylie Yates has been named the KCAC "Offensive Soccer Player of the Week" for her performance last week against McPherson and Friends University.
Yates, a 5'5, forward, from Berthoud, Colorado scored both game winners for Sterling in the last twelve minutes of each game. By winning both games Sterling will advance to play McPherson College in the quarterfinals of the KCAC Tournament Friday night in McPherson. Game time is set for 6:30pm
Kylie really came through when we needed her to" said Head Coach Justin Morris. "She has done a nice job creating legit goal scoring opportunities for this season."
Yates leads the Lady Warriors with 13 goals on the season and six game winners.
Warriors Muzzle Coyotes 26-19, move to 6-1 in KCAC
If the Warriors were going to have a game that could get in the way of their late season push, it was Saturday in Salina, KS against the game Coyotes of Kansas Wesleyan. Despite what looked like a bleak beginning, the Warriors would do what good teams do when all cylinders aren't firing; they found a way to win.
The Coyotes would get on the board first with an impressive late 1st quarter 69 yard drive. With the Warrior offense ineffective to that point, those 7 points were big. Johnelle Murphy would surprisingly rectify and answer with an 84 yard kickoff return for touchdown to tie the score at the end of the quarter.
After the Coyotes downed a punt inside the 3 yardline, the Warriors would suffer a run for loss resulting in a safety, giving the Coyotes a 9-7 lead. On the insuing possession, the Coyotes would score yet again to make it a 16-7 game with 6:30 left in the 1st half. From that point, the Warriors would command the remainder of the half.
The next possession for the Warriors would feature the passing of QB Tyler Degenhardt going 4 for 5 with a 3rd and 14 inside the red zone going for a Johnelle Murphy TD reception, making it a 14-16 game. The subsequent kickoff would be a game changer as the Coyotes would fumble it away on their own 23 yard line, to be recovered by the Warriors with just over a minute to go in the contest. In three plays, RB Rashard Colquitt would take a toss sweep 17 yards to paydirt, putting the score at 20-16 Warriors going into half.
The 2nd half would be started off in a typical grooling Warrior drive as QB Tyler Degenhardt would use his legs to power the Warrior attack, capping a 68 yard drive off with a 31 yard TD scamper making the score 26-16. The Warrior defense would then clock in and shut down the Coyote attack stimying host for the remainder of the half. Both teams would trade possessions late into the 4th quarter when Kansas Wesleyan was finally able to move the ball to 1st and goal to go from the 3 yard line of Sterling with a little over 3 minutes to play. The Warriors would put on what would be a game winning goal line stand as the Coyotes would settle for the field goal, but never get an opportunity to get the ball back, making the final score 26-19.
Unfortunately the play to enter the red zone late in the 4th quarter would cost the Coyotes and the KCAC dearly as Preston McCorkle, the highly talented running back would suffer a severe head or neck injury that would require emergency medical care. Game personnel reported movement from McCorkle as he lay on the turf, but nothing has been confirmed at time of this release. Each team shared a moment in prayer for the athlete.
Tyler Degenhardt would be the offensive juggernaut for the Warriors as he would run and throw for a TD and gain 128 yards on the ground and throw for 118. Derrick Sullivan would once again anchor the defense logging 8 tackles on the day, 5 unassisted.
The victory for the Warriors would move them to 6-2 overall, and 6-1 in the KCAC, tied for second with Ottawa. The Warriors will host the 3-4 Spires of St. Mary next Saturday who suffered a road loss to Bethany College this week. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30.