Trying To Defend Three Titles

Wow! Can you believe that the fall is already winding down?

Congrats to the soccer and volleyball teams for clinching a spot in the ASC Tournaments this weekend. It will be interesting to see how all three teams handle the task of defending their conference titles.

Everyone knows that all three teams have way different personnel than a year ago, but they still have a lot of that been-there-done-that experience.

One would think the men’s soccer team would have the toughest challenge to repeat, not that the other two have easy roads. The Cowboys are an interesting story, as they have lost a lot of their punch since a year ago with David Salas and Nick Sager graduating and Ryan Flanigan getting hurt this season. Those three were keys in the Cowboys three-win run to the tournament title last year, but the resilient group of talented players have found ways to play as a team and did what it took to get a chance to defend their two consecutive titles.

HSU will have to play Mississippi College in the first round (a team they lost to 4-0 in the regular season), then would have to play the host Ozarks and possibly play Mary Hardin-Baylor in the final. If that were to happen, it would be the direct opposite of their run last year that saw them beat UMHB, Ozarks and Mississippi College in the final. Don’t count out coaching veteran Dan Heger to come up with a way to get it done.

A quick shout out of congratulations goes to former Cowboy All-ASC player Brad Bankhead who has done a good job with the UMHB program in his second season. The Cru beat the Cowboys 1-0 with a late goal on Saturday and he has his young team playing as one of the favorites going into the tournament. Bankhead’s team has taken on his overachieving, tough demeanor and it is good to see one of our own doing well (even if it is against us sometimes).

The Cowgirl soccer team has put itself in the position to host its fifth straight conference title, but it has been nothing but easy. The Cowgirls have fought through injuries all season long and have lost their All-American forward Amy Kuykendall and probably leading scorer Jordan Morley for the season. It has been a testament to the program for the team fighting through the injuries and finding ways to win close games. HSU has always been known for its offense, but the Cowgirls’ post season success will be built around its defense. Expect some close games the rest of the year.

I have said it before and will say it again if there is any coach in America that I want to win one game it is Marcus Wood. He always seems to come up with a plan, even if he clearly does not have the best team. Don’t bet against the Cowgirls getting one for the thumb (their fifth straight ASC title) this weekend, although it could be one of the most competitive ASC tournaments in years from start to finish. Coaches don’t like to compare teams, but if I know Woody as well as I think I do, a win this weekend would probably be the most rewarding of all of his ASC titles.

Coach Sabrina Bingham’s volleyball team is one of the favorites for the ASC title. Again the league is so balanced at the top with any of the six teams having a shot at the title. The Cowgirls will play the winner of East Texas Baptist and McMurry to get to the final. HSU has the bullets for the fight, they just have to come out firing. The players have the experience of winning the title, but it will be the first go-around for its first-year head coach. I have seen nothing to think that she won’t be able to handle the postseason. I always go with the team that has the best player’s and the Cowgirls might have three of the top six players in the entire league.

Be sure to stay tuned to this web site this week to keep up with all of the action.

In case you have missed it the Cowboy football team is putting up some unbelievable offensive numbers. They have the chance to have a 1,000-yard back in Quinton Jones, a 1,000-yard receiver in Mychal Carrillo and a 3,000-yard passer in Justin Feaster. The 1993 team with Matt Carroll, Collin McCormick and Kevin Beam are the only trio in school history to pull off the trick.

Just a couple of quick web site notes. Make sure you vote on the question on the front of the site. We are looking into streaming options for our games for the future. Also, there is a big surprise coming to the site on Nov. 15.

Be sure to make it out to the ASC Women’s Tournament at the Soccer Complex. The Cowgirls play at 11 a.m. on Saturday, before the football game, and if they win will play at 1 p.m. Sunday and a raucous home field advantage would be appreciated by the Cowgirls.