Football

September 10, 2001

ON THE LINE: Both UW-Stout and first time opponent Willamette University are looking at their last tune up before the conference season begins. At the time of this writing, it had not yet been determined if the game will be held at Nelson Field or at the new Don & Nona Williams Stadium, which features an artificial surface. University officials are scheduled to make a decision, Tuesday, Sept. 11. Stout has a bye Sept. 22 before starting the WIAC season Sept. 29 at home against UW-Platteville.

LAST TIME OUT: Stout: The Blue Devil defense put up a stellar performance, recording seven sacks against Franklin College, and recovering two fumbles - one for a touchdown - and two interceptions - again, one for a touchdown. Chuck Vander Linden's two sacks resulted in fumbles, and Abe Cruz returned one 11 yards for a score. Tony Beckham and Eric Moe each nabbed a pass. Luke Bundgaard scored from three yards to open the game, with the drive beginning after Vander Linden's first forced fumble. Luke Rykal blocked a punt, setting up Stout's second score, a 34-yard jaunt by quarterback Nick Ohman. Ben Tarkowski ended Stout's scoring with a 20 yard reception from Ohman. The Grizzlies added a score late in the third period. Stout tallied 318 total yards, 214 on the ground, 104 in the air. The Grizzlies had 265 total yards, 268 by pass, minus-3 on the ground.
Willamette: (Willamette is pronounced like the answer to the following question. What do you do when the river constantly overflows its banks? You dam it.) NCAA Division II foe Central Washington scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes of play to hand Willamette a 24-17 loss Saturday. The Bearcats used two Central Washington turnovers to take a quick 14-3 lead. John McDowell intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards to paydirt and Marcus Boards returned an interception for a score five minutes later. The game featured eight total turnovers between the two teams.

LAST YEAR: Stout is a member of the eight-team Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and is affiliated with the NCAA Division III. Stout was 10-1 overall, 7-0 (first) in the WIAC, and completed an NCAA Division III record turnaround finish. The season ended with a26-19 first round NCAA Division III playoff loss to eventual Division III runner-up St. John's. The Bearcats, affiliated with the NCAA Division III, are a member of the six-team Northwest Conference and finished sixth. Willamette was 3-7 overall, 0-5 in the NWC

THE SERIES: This is the first meeting between the two teams. Stout will travel to Willamette, which is in Salem, Ore., next September.

STOUT PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Luke Bundgaard (So, Weyerhauser) 44 carries, 162 yds, 3.7 y/car, 2 TD; RB Eric Baker (Sr, Sarona) 4 car, 13 yds, 4.0 y/car, 6 rec, 108 yds, 1 TDs; QB Nick Ohman (Fr, Glenwood City) 19 att, 10 comp, 0 int, 166 yds, 2 TD, 83.0 y/game, 11 car, 79 yds, 7.2 y/car, 1 TD; DB Eric Moe (Jr, Hixton) 2 int for 88 yds, one TD, 13 tackles, 10 solo, 5 pass break ups; DB/WR Tony Beckham (Sr, Ocala, Fla) 12.5 tackles, 9 solo, 1.5 tackle for loss of 5 yd, one int for 35 yd, 2 pass break ups, 2 rec, 86 yds, 2 TD, 3 kickoff returns, 43 y/ret, 1 TD,; DB Rob Weinstein (So, Racine) 12 tackles, 7 solo; Jamie Spielman (Jr, Menomonie) was injured in first game, should be back, 2000 stats-82 tackles, 37 solo, 23 tackles for losses of 75 yds, 5 sacks for 44 yds, 4 pass break up, 2 int for 35 yds; DB Kevin Dewey (So, Burnsville, Minn) 6 tackles, 2 solo, 0.5 sacks for 3 yd, 3 pass break ups; DB/WR Abraham Cruz (So, Alhambra, Calif) 8.5 tackles, 5 solo, 3 pass break ups, 1 fumble recovery for TD; Blue Devils avg 355.0 total ypg, 179.5 rushing, 175.5 passing; give up 285.0 total ypg, 6.0 rushing, 279.0 passing.

WILLAMETTE PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Justin Peterson (Jr, Mercer Island, Wash) 20 car, 180 yds, 9.0 y/car, 90 yd/game; TB Ryan Hughes (So, Kennewick, Wash) 14 car, 61 yd, 4.4 y/car, 30.5 y/g; QB Bucky Rivera (Sr, Eugene, Ore) 15 att, 6 comp, 4 int, 105 yd, 1 TD, 52.5 y/g, 15 car, 43 yd, 2.9 y/car, 21.5 y/g; WR Brett Meyer (Fr, Oregon City, Ore) 3 rec, 87 yd, 29 y/rec, 4 kickoff returns, 21 y/ret; LB Colin Campbell (Jr, Las Vegas, Nev) 23 tackles, 17 solo, 1 tackle for loss of three yards; FS Matt Benjamin (Sr, Tillamook, Ore) 20 tackles, 16 solo, 1 tackle for loss of 10 yards, 1 int for 18 yd; DB John McDowell (Jr, Nimrod, Ore) 10 tackles, 6 solo, 1 int for 42 yds and TD; Bearcats avg. 265.5 total ypg, 204 rushing, 52.5 passing; give up 372.5 total ypg, 248.0 rushing, 124.5 passing.

OFFENSIVE LOOK: Willamette: Fly; Stout: multi-pro. DEFENSIVE LOOK: Willamette: multiple 4-3; Stout: 3-4
COACHES: Stout coach Ed Meierkort (38-45 career) is in his ninth year and has the most wins of any Stout football coach. Willamette coach Mark Speckman is in his fourth year (18-15).

STOUT COACH ED MEIERKORT SAYS: "We had a great defensive performance on a day that was hard to play - hot and sticky - but we were pretty dominating. We just didn't play particularly well on offense. We have played one very good offensive game and one very good defensive game. Now, we just need to get them together in the same game. We thought we improved our defense and our special teams last week. Anytime we get seven sacks, that makes the defense exciting to watch.
"Willamette brings in good skill, a good offensive line and a defense that is very big and physical. Willamette is a quality opponent. They run a fly offense that is a speeded up version of the Wing T. We are 2-0 and playing hard, but we will have to play way better to stay with them."

RADIO: WMEQ 880 AM, Jake Bostrom, Steve Schrantz, Dick Lowery

September 8, 2001

FRANKLIN, Ind - On the strength of seven sacks and four recoveries, UW-Stout overpowered Franklin College, 27-7, Saturday, Sept. 8 at Franklin, Ind.

Chuck Vander Linden (So, Golden Valley, Minn) collected two sacks for 12 yards and forced two fumbles, while Matt Mueller (So, Chaska, Minn) had two sacks for 17 yards. Kevin Dewey (So, Burnsville, Minn), Joe Kersten (So, Menasha), Jarrid Gohs (Jr, Oak Creek) and Jake Rider (So, Shiocton) each were in on the sack attack.

Tony Beckham (Sr, Ocala, Fla) returned an interception 35 yards and Eric Moe (Jr, Hixton) picked off a pass. Abraham Cruz (So, Alhambra, Calif) returned a fumble 11 yards for a score.

The Blue Devils scored when Luke Bundgaard (So, Weyerhauser) went three yards to open up the scoring three minutes into the game. Bundgaard's score was set up when the Blue Devils recovered a fumble on the Grizzlies' 10-yard yard line.

Quarterback Nick Ohman (Fr, Glenwood City) rumbled 34 yards with three minutes left in the quarter to give Stout a 14-0 lead. Adam Moiles (So, High Rolls, New Mexico) added the two-point conversion.

Cruz recovered a fumble by the Franklin quarterback and took it to 11 yards to paydirt four minutes into the second half and Ben Tarkowski (So, Hartland) went 20 yards on a pass from Ohman midway through the third period.

The Grizzlies (0-1) got on the board with three minutes left in the third period when Eric Sabo hit Andy Mamula for a 10 yard pass play to complete the scoring

Stout recorded 298 total yards of offense, 202 on the ground, 96 in the air. The Grizzlies' offense, which utilizes a run and shoot, tallied 258 yards, with the air game picking up 268 and the Stout defense holding them to minus 10 yards rushing.

Bundgaard led all rushers with 86 yards, while Ohman followed up with 74 yards on nine rushes. Tarkowski pulled down three passes for 34 yards and a TD. Ohman completed 5-of-11 passes for 72 yards.

The Grizzlies Eric Sabo completed 14-of-27 passes for 161 yards, but had two interceptions. Jeremy Neibert came off the bench to complete 12-of-19 passes for 107 yards. Brandon Gillard hauled in six passes for 91 yards and Eddie Tucker grabbed six passes for 85 yards.

Stout will host Willamette University, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.

September 4, 2001

MENOMONIE - Special teams, defensive cornerback, wide receiver - Tony Beckham (Sr, Ocala, Fla) did it all in UW-Stout's 48-24 win over Lakeland College Friday, Aug. 31. Beckham was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) special teams player of the week and also as a tri-special teams player of the week by the Don Hansen Weekly Football Gazette.

Beckham, who is listed as a cornerback, had four solo tackles, three assisted tackles (5.5 total), with one assisted tackle for a loss of two yards, as well as a couple of hits that jarred sure passes free. But it was as a special teams player and wide receiver where Beckham left his biggest impact, scoring three touchdowns. Beckham returned three kickoffs for 129 yards (43.0 y/return), taking one return 89 yards down the middle of the field for a touchdown in the third quarter to give Stout a 17 point cushion.

Earlier in the game, Beckham lined up at wide receiver and hauled in two passes, both for touchdowns, the first a 30-yard strike in the end zone with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter and the second a 56-yarder five minutes into the second period. Beckham completed the day with 18 points and 215 all-purpose yards.

Soccer

September 9, 2001

MENOMONIE - The young UW-Stout soccer team was limited by the play of Washington University's Jessica Glick, who scored four goals and added an assist as the Bears downed UW-Stout, 7-0, Sunday, Sept. 9 at River Heights Field.

Glick scored twice in each half and added her assist in the first half. Megan Drews scored a goal and two assists.

Washington (2-1-1) outshot Stout, 22-4, as Washington took a 5-0 halftime lead. The Blue Devils (2-2-1) did make a charge in the second half, putting three shots on goal.

Jessie Sutherland (Sr, Duluth, Minn) recorded five saves, while Melissa Ballweg (Fr, Merrimac), who worked the second half, notched 10 saves.

Stout is off until Saturday, Sept. 15 when they travel to UW-Whitewater to open the conference season.

September 8, 2001

MENOMONIE - Aurora University put 13 shots on goal and UW-Stout put 11 shots on goal, but neither team could get a shot into the net, resulting in a 0-0 tie, Saturday, Sept. 8 at Nelson Field. The scoreless tie was the first for Stout in three years.

The Blue Devils peppered shots at the Aurora net and even got one into the net off a corner kick in the 48th minute, but it was called off for a violation. Stout's first draw in three years.

The Spartans' (1-0-1) Sarah Wheal stopped all 11 shots and the Blue Devils' (2-1-1) Jessie Sutherland (Sr, Duluth, Minn) stopped eight, working the first half and the two overtime periods, and Liz Rea (So, Bloomington, Minn) recorded five saves in the second half. In total shots, Aurora outshot Stout, 25-17.

After a nervous opening, Sutherland made a pair of big saves and rallied the Blue Devils to the task at hand as the Blue Devils controlled much of the tempo and all of the possession in midfield.

In the first half, Nellie Sivertsen (Jr, River Falls) just missed the near post after Kristi Field (So, Bloomington, Minn) outhustled the Aurora defense and pulled a seemingly hopeless ball back into Sivertsen deep in the Spartan penalty area. Aurora's best chance may have come when Sutherland dove to her right to save a skimming 20 yard effort and did not handle the ball cleanly. The Spartan's Laura Bozek was able to kick the ball out of Sutherland's grasp, but the goalkeeper was able to smother her effort at goal.

The second frame seemed to have provided a dream opening to the Blue Devils. After sophomore Liz Rea (So, Bloomington, Minn) stepped up to stonewall Aurora's opening salvo at goal, Stout countered quickly. Sivertsen won a corner that Kate Knoespel (Jr, Green Bay) bent into the goal mouth, Spartan keeper Sarah Wheal could only deflect the ball above a sea of bodies and it settled into the net, seemingly putting Stout ahead. Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, the official ruled the goalkeeper had been interfered with and gave the Spartans new life.

The match settled into extended Blue Devil possession interrupted by Aurora counters, particularly on Stout's right side where Rosa Cambray (So, Delevan) did an outstanding job shutting down Tara Utrata on the flank. On the left, Raina Schneider (So, Sheboygan) and Diane Ehlen (So, Bloomington, Minn) contained Nicki Pieart, holding her to a single shot on the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Sivertsen, Field and Knoespel were joined by Krista Hight (Fr, Brookfield), Desiree Nardini (So, White Bear Lake, Minn) and a host of flank midfielders like Sarah Geiger (So, West Bend), Carrie Schrank (Fr, Reedsburg), and Amy Boyle (So Racine) - harassing the Spartan defense and firing shots off the far post, the crossbar (twice), and on one Knoespel free kick from 20 yards out - a screaming drive about a foot outside the near post.

The match ended after two overtimes, the whistle coming just as Nardini's through ball found Sivertsen's foot - the second time in two matches the Blue Devils had an attack halted by the clock.

September 4, 2001

MENOMONIE - All good things must come to an end, and the UW-Stout soccer found that out as they were blanked, 3-0, by St. Thomas, Tuesday, Sept. 4 at Nelson Field.

Stout opened well, putting the Tommies (1-1) under pressure from the opening whistle, as both teams traded offensive thrusts. Stout (2-1), which had opened the season with two shutouts, attacked down the right side, with Stacy Normington's (Jr, Delavan) through ball finding a well marked Kristi Field (So, Bloomington, Minn) who dropped a pass to Kate Knoespel (Jr, Green Bay) in the midfield.

Knoespel's probing pass was just out of Nellie Sivertsen's (Jr, River Falls) range, scooped up by Tommie goalkeeper Jessica Christensen. On the counter, St. Thomas was able to laser a diagonal ball in behind Stout's right side and Gibson hit the side netting with Stout's Rosa Cambray (So, Delavan) closing fast.

At the midpoint of the first half, the game had developed a flow. Each offensive thrust opened the door to a dangerous counter attack. First it was Stout that pushed forward, but when Christensen cut out Carrie Schrank's (Fr, Reedsburg) through pass, the Tommie keeper quickly found Borer on the right side of Stout's defense and Borer's pass was too strong for Thompson as Jessie Sutherland (Sr, Duluth, Minn) came out to smother. Sutherland's service was flicked on by Field, and fell to Schrank on the right side. Schrank easily held off a Tommie defender and split the defense to put Field in on the right side of the penalty area, but her 12 yard effort went just wide.

The Tommies answered with a long, probing serve down the Blue Devil left that drew a spectacular diving save from Sutherland.

As the half wore on, both sides were able to establish a foothold in midfield and bottle up their opponent's attack. But the stalemate was broken after Stout conceded a corner kick in the 40th minute. Natalie Walz out jumped two Stout defenders and sent a powerful header past Sutherland at the far post to give the Tommies a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. The Blue Devils best chance to answer before the break came at the horn when Sivertsen came within 25 yards from goal on a breakaway.

Stout continued to push into the attack in the second stanza. Sivertsen once again got behind the St. Thomas defense, but Christensen came 20 yards out from her net to cut the angle and make a diving save. Minutes later, Desiree Nardini (So, White Bear Lake, Minn) broke through a failed off-sides trap on the dribble and was pulled down from behind.

Having dodged a pair of close range bullets, the Tommies went back on the offensive. Pushing Stout's defense back inside their own penalty area, St. Thomas went over what they couldn't break through. Anne Borer scored a 15 yard strike after jumping on a half clearance by the Stout defense at the 65th minute. Within two minutes, it was a three goal cushion for the Tommies. A midfield free kick was first signaled for Stout, then for St. Thomas. With Stout still running up the field, the Tommies' quick free kick found Borer on the left side of the penalty area. Her first time cross found Jenny Murray at the far post, and her powerful header went past Melissa Ballweg (Fr, Merrimac).

Moments later, Ballweg came up big as Stout once again found itself defending a quick counter attack. This time Ballweg stepped up to smother a perfect through ball before Murray was able to corral it. The freshman stonewalled Borer's 20 yard bid from the right side of the penalty arc. With their back secure, Stout resumed their offensive efforts. Twice the Tommies' Christensen found herself on the ground with the ball loose, but neither time was Stout able to corral the ball in time for a shot. When Sivertsen threatened to get in behind the defense yet again, she was fouled just outside the Tommie penalty area on the right side, but Knoespel's bid missed the near post.

St. Thomas outshot Stout, 15-6, with Stout's Sutherland making eight saves and Ballweg collecting four. The Tommies' Jessie Christopherson recorded five saves in 79 minutes of net time.

September 4, 2001

MENOMONIE - Kristi Field (So, Bloomington, Minn) picked up her first collegiate hat trick and in the process tripled her last season goals total when she scored three goals in Stout's 5-0 win over Martin Luther College, Saturday, Sept. 1. Field also recorded two assists in the game.

For her efforts, Field was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) soccer offensive player of the week.

Volleyball

September 8, 2001

ADA, Ohio - UW-Stout finished 1-1 on the second day of the Ohio Northern Invitational and placed fourth at the tournament, Saturday, Sept. 8 in Ada, Ohio.

The Blue Devils downed Alleghany College, 30-16, 32-20, 30-16, in the final day of pool play to finish second in their pool. Stout dropped a 30-28, 30-26, 30-23, decision to Thomas More in the third place bracket.

Against Allegheny, Kim Roshell (Sr, Cornell) had 13 kills and Brooke Palmer (Sr, Mantorville, Minn) finished with 10. Lindsey Mensink (Fr, Ostrander, Minn) had three solo blocks, Rachel Eidet (Sr, North Mankato, Minn) collected 27 digs and Laura Bogenschutz (So, Baxter, Minn) had 33 assists.

Against Thomas More, Roshell finished with a team high 11 kills. Bogenschutz had 39 assists and Eidet had 23 digs.

The Blue Devils (6-3) are off until Saturday, Sept. 15 when they compete at the St. Norbert Invitational.

September 7, 2001

ADA, Ohio - The UW-Stout volleyball team split in the first day of the Ohio Northern Invitational, Friday, Sept. 7 in Ada, Ohio. The Blue Devils downed Muskingum College, 30-28, 30-17, 30-13, but fell to Mount St. Joseph, 30-25, 30-16, 30-16.

Kim Roshell (Sr, Cornell) continued her hitting streak of consecutive double digit matches when she pounded out 15 kills against Muskingum and 10 against Mount St. Joseph. Brooke Palmer (Sr, Mantorville, Minn) racked up 15 kills vs. Mount St. Joseph and had nine against Muskingum. Rachel Eidet (Sr, North Mankato, Minn) had 13 digs against Muskingum and Roshell, 13 against Mount St. Joseph. Laura Bogenschutz (So, Baxter, Minn) recorded 34 assists in both contests.

September 4, 2001

ST. PAUL, Minn - The UW-Stout volleyball team only had a little trouble in dispatching Macalester in the second of their three games as the Blue Devils took a 30-19, 30-26, 30-13 win over the Scots, Tuesday, Sept. 4 in St. Paul, Minn.

The Blue Devils improved their record to 4-1 on the hitting of Kim Roshell (Sr, Cornell) and the serving of Rachel Eidet (Jr, North Mankato, Minn). Roshell clobbered 13 kills, running her streak of double digit kills to five matches. Eidet, who also had 18 digs, served up six service aces. Setter Laura Bogenschutz (So, Baxter, Minn) collected 34 assists and knocked down seven kills.

Women's Cross Country

September 8, 2001

DECORAH, Iowa - Lacey Osuldsen (Fr, Ladysmith/Bruce) paced the UW-Stout cross country team at the 30th Annual Luther College All-American meet, Saturday, Sept. 8 in Decorah, Iowa.

The top four Blue Devils packed their times within 12 seconds of each other, with Osuldsen taking 48th in a time of 20-minutes, 49-seconds. Heidi Bedsted (Jr, Plainview, Minn) was 55th (20:54), Lisa Sorvala (Jr, New Brighton, Minn) 59th (20:56) and Tracy Oostdyk (Fr, Spooner) 62nd (21:01). Amy Arndt (Jr, Lakefield, Minn) was 75th (21:18).

The meet was the first collegiate meet for both Osuldsen and Oostdyk. Both runners competed for the Blue Devils' track team last spring.

As a team, the Blue Devils tied for 10th with Cornell.

Stout is off next week, but returns to action Saturday, Sept. 22 when they compete at the St. Olaf Invitational.

Luther All-American Invitational
1. Luther College 47; 2. UW-La Crosse 63; 3. UW-Parkside 83; 4. Loras 138; 5. Carleton 153; 6. Augustana 171; 7. St. Olaf 174; 8. Minnesota State-Mankato 193; 9. Central 206; 10. UW-Stout, Cornell 299; 12. Winona State 360; 13. Hamline 382; 14. Simpson 418; 15. Beloit 425; 16. Grinnell 459;

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
1. Johanna Olson (Luther) 28:16; 48. Lacey Osuldsen 20:49; 55. Heidi Bedsted 20:54; 59. Lisa Sorvala 20:56; 62. Tracy Oostdyk 21:01; 75. Amy Arndt 21:18; 106. Mara Anderson 22:00; 118. Nacole Ewerdt 22:24.

Junior Varsity Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
1. Kristi Colbenson (Carleton) 19:38; 37. Terra Dahlheimer 22:06; 51. Denise Hady 22:57; 53. Kersten Wilson 23:05; 56. Jacki Rust 23:16; 57. Valorie Schaffer 23:16; 58. Jenny Hopps 23:17; 63. Rebecca Werner 23:43; 141. Laura Raugh 25:00; 168. Amy Biegel 28:05.

Men's Cross Country

September 8, 2001

DECORAH, Iowa - Dave Huber (Jr, Mendota Heights, Minn) paced the UW-Stout cross country team at the 30th Annual Luther College All-American meet, Saturday, Sept. 8 in Decorah, Iowa.

Huber placed 20th with a time of 21-minutes, 31-seconds. Team captain Ethan Webinger (Sr, LaCrescent, Minn) was only seconds behind Huber as he placed 23rd (21:35).

The meet was Blue Devil coach Keith Ellingson's Stout debut, and was held in his hometown of Decorah, Iowa. Ellingson's Blue Devils edged past his former team, Simpson. As a team, Stout placed ninth.

The Blue Devils will be off next week, but return to action Saturday, Sept. 22 when they are at the St. Olaf Invitational.

Luther All-American Invitational
1. Minnesota State-Mankato 64; 2. UW-La Crosse 79; 3. Augustana 97; 4. Hamline 115; 5. Loras 130; 6. Luther 132; 7. Grinnell 139; 8. Carleton 160; 9. UW-Stout 231; 10. Simpson 280; 11. Central 348; 12. Beloit 362; 13. Bethel 367; 14. Winona State 426.

Individual Results
1. Tom Kreger (Hamline) 20:37; 20. Dave Huber 21:31; 23. Ethan Webinger 21:35; 60. Jason Kirch 22:25; 69. Alex Anderson 22:46; 80. Tim King 23:06; 86. Ryan Chernik; 87. Casey Otto 23:18.

Updated: September 10, 2001