Football

October 21, 2002

ON THE LINE: This game will be a coming out of sorts for UW-Stout quarterback Nick Ohman, who is expected to return after missing two games due to a knee injury. The UW-River Falls wishbone offense always gives teams fits and requires a different mindset during the week of practice. Stout must continue to win to stay in the conference race and to stay in the hunt for an NCAA playoff berth. The Falcons are seeking their first conference win.

LAST TIME OUT: Stout: The Blue Devil defense was stung by several big plays in a 27-21 win over Concordia-Moorhead, but still managed a strong effort by holding the Cobbers, who came into the game averaging over 200 yards rushing per game, to minus-23 yards on the ground. Concordia struck first, but Stout answered back with three TDs over the remaining first half to take a 21-7 halftime lead. The Cobbers cut the lead to 21-14 midway through the third quarter on Bobby Clark's second TD pass. Evan Larsen nailed two fourth quarter field goals, and the Cobbers scored again with four minutes left. The Blue Devils' Rob Weinstein snagged an interception and Erik Williams recovered a fumble to preserve the win. Stout tallied 307 yards and Adam Moiles, making his first QB start, threw for two TDs. Luke Bundgaard rushed 23 times for 119 yards. Stout's defense held Concordia to 165 total yards. River Falls: The Falcons scored on their first play of the game when Dustin Vogelgesang hit Weeysama Kennedy for a 68-yard play action TD. Vogelgesang and John Peterlik each scored to take a 20-0 lead before Pointers' QB Scott Krause connected for three TD passes to Cory Flisakowski through the third quarter. Peterlik scored his second TD of the game early in the fourth quarter, a 28 yard pass play. The Pointers racked up 20 unanswered points to dump the Falcons, 38-27. The Falcons tallied 301 total yards, 168 on the ground, while giving up 339, 219 through the air.

LAST SEASON: Stout and River Falls are members of the eight-team Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Last season, Stout was 6-3 overall, 4-3 (tied for third with River Falls) in the WIAC. The Blue Devils were WIAC champions in 2000. River Falls was 4-5 overall last season, 4-3 in league play.

THE SERIES: This is the longest running series for Stout, with the teams meeting for the 88th time. The Falcons hold a 64-23 lead in the series, which dates back to 1911, a 13-11 River Falls win. Last year, Stout spotted the Falcons a 20-0 lead at Stout's homecoming game. But the Blue Devils roared back to win, 26-23 on a Justin Zymyewski 35-yard field goal midway through the final quarter. The game marked Stout's Nick Ohman's coming out party. Making his first start, Ohman threw for 164 yards and two TDs, while his brother, Rob, rushed for 103 yards for River Falls.

STOUT PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Luke Bundgaard (Jr, Weyerhaeuser) 118 carries, 598 yds, 5.1 y/car, 99.7 y/g, 7 TD, 42 pts, Stout's all-time rushing leader; QB Nick Ohman (So, Glenwood City) 115 att, 58 comp, 3 int, 734 yds, 7 TD, 183.5 y/game, 36 car, 113 yds, 3.1 y/car; RB Ryan Englebert (Fr, Sturgeon Bay) 112 carries, 460 yds, 4.1 y/car, 76.7 y/g, 3 TD; WR Dan Austin (So, Clintonville) 20 rec, 329 yds, 5 TDs, 32 pts; WR Matt Sprester (Jr, Clear Lake) 10 rec, 186 yds, 3 TDs; DB Eric Moe (Sr, Hixton) 19 tackles, 12 solo, 3 int for 56 yds, 1 TD, 7 pass break ups, Stout all-time interception leader; LB Jamie Spielman (Sr, Menomonie) 55 tackles, 36 solo, 13 tackles for loss of 48 yds, 5 sacks for 37 yds; LB Noah Mayer (So, Mayville) 22 tackles, 18 solo, 7 tackles for loss of 40 yds, 5 sacks for 31 yds; LB Mark Ralph (Sr, Colfax) 34 tackles, 20 solo, 11 tackles for loss of 29 yds, 3 sacks for 14 yds; CB Tyrone Rhone (Sr, Milwaukee) 24 tackles, 16 solo, 2 int, 5 pass break ups, punt returns 14 for 138 yds, 8.6 y/ret, kickoff returns 7 for 171 yds, 24.4 y/ret; FS Rob Weinstein (So, Racine) 3 int; Blue Devils avg 373.8 total ypg, 208.7 rushing, 165.2 passing; give up 215.0 total ypg, 24.3 rushing, 190.7 passing. Stout has outscored their opponents, 179-85 (30-14 pts/g).

RIVER FALLS PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Dustin Vogelgesang (Jr, Hastings, Minn) 26 att, 12 comp, 3 int, 252 yds, 3 TD, 42 carries, 30 yds, 0.7 y/car, 2 TDs; RB John Peterlik (So, Cadott) 103 carries, 593 yds, 5.8 y/car, 7 rec, 121 yds, 17.3 y/rec, 1 TD, kickoff return 7 for 117, 16.7 y/ret; RB Dan Beyer (Fr, White Bear Lake, Minn) 61 carries, 298 yds, 4.9 y/car, 1 TD; DB Roman Johnson (So, Clearwater, Fla) 25 tackles, 18 solo, 3 int for 39 yds, punt returns 13 for 102 yds, 7.8 y/ret, kickoff returns 16 for 279 yds, 17.4 y/ret; LB Abe Garcia (So, St. Paul, Minn) 57 tackles, 30 solo, 9 tackles for loss of 26 yds, 3 sacks for 15 yds; DB Luke Miska (Sr, Silver Lake, Minn) 53 tackles, 31 solo, 1 int 2 pass break ups; DE Nate Hendrickson (Jr, Prescott) 26 tackles, 13 solo, 5 tackles for loss of 26 yds, 2 sacks for 21 yards; Falcons avg. 284.5 total yds, 222.3 rushing, 62.2 passing; give up 359.3 total yds, 161.7 rushing, 197.7 passing. Falcons have been outscored, 162-104, 27-17 pts/g).

OFFENSIVE LOOK: River Falls: Wishbone; Stout: multi-pro. DEFENSIVE LOOK: River Falls: 4-4; Stout: 3-4.

COACHES: Stout coach Ed Meierkort (47-49 career) is in his 10th year and has the most wins of any Stout football coach. River Falls coach John O'Grady (81-49-3) is in his 14th year.

BUNDGAARD BAROMETER: Luke Bundgaard became the UW-Stout all-time rushing leader this week with his 119 yard effort, pushing him to 2685 career rushing yards. Bundgaard surpassed Bob Johnson (1979-82) who had 2656 yards. Johnson was on hand Saturday to present Bundgaard with the ball. Bundgaard is tied for sixth with Mike McHugh (1964-67) on the all-time scoring list with 150 points. Bob Johnson and Rich Vargas (1990-92) are tied for fourth with 158 points. Steve Burr (1976-79) is third with 162 points and kicker Kevin McCulley (1997-2000) has 163.

STOUT COACH ED MEIERKORT SAYS: "We were just stifling against the run Saturday. Concordia came in averaging more than 200 yards per game, and left with minus-23. They (Concordia) were a nice team. They could have folded a couple of times but didn't.

"If we can keep River Falls from pounding us up the middle, our perimeter run (defense) is pretty good. We will play as fast as we can to outrun any mistakes we make. Some keys are to not let the backs up the seam, not turn the ball over and dominate the time of possession, which is hard against a wishbone team. (With the return of quarterback Nick) Ohman gives us mobilty, a strong arm and an understanding of the offense. We were 2-0 with Nick out against some quality MIAC and WIAC opponents. It will be fun to play River Falls because they play so hard, but I'd rather play another MIAC team."

RADIO: WMEQ 880 AM, Jake Bostrom, Steve Schrantz; the game will also be broadcast live over the Internet at www.wmeq.com

October 19, 2002

MENOMONIE - Two turnovers by Concordia-Moorhead late in the game turned out to be enough to give UW-Stout a 27-21 win over the Cobbers, Saturday, Oct. 19 at Don & Nona Williams Stadium.

An interception by Rob Weinstein (So, Racine) and a fumble recovery by Erik Williams (Jr, Stillwater, Minn) in the final three minutes were enough to stop Concordia.

It was turnovers that ruled the roost in the final 4-minutes, 34-seconds.

After the Cobbers (5-2) pulled to within 27-21 on a four-play drive that featured a 43-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Hebrink to Jake Olson setting up a two-yard TD run by Ed Oehler, a turnover resulted on three of the next four drives.

Stout's Ryan Englebert (Fr, Sturgeon Bay) fumbled at the Stout 44. Four plays later, Hebrink was picked off by Weinstein on the Stout 36. The Cobbers forced Stout (5-1) to punt, but two plays later, Hebrink misplayed the snap and Williams smothered the ball at the Concordia 42 with 1:14 left in the game. Stout took a knee several times to run out the clock.

While the Stout defense, which is ranked 11th nationally, gave up big plays, the Blue Devils held Concordia to 165 total yards and minus-23 yards rushing. Oehlers rushed for 40 yards, but Hebrink was sacked seven times to finish with minus-54 yards.

The Blue Devils, playing without starting quarterback Nick Ohman (So, Glenwood City) for the second consecutive week, racked up 307 total yards, 161 on the ground.

Stout's Luke Bundgaard (Jr, Weyerhaeuser) rolled up a game high 119 yards on 23 carries and, in the process, broke the school career rushing record in the fourth quarter.

After stopping Stout on the first drive of the game when Stout opted to go on fourth down, the Cobbers scored on the ensuing drive when Hebrink connected with Robert Clark on a 24-yard TD with only three minutes off the clock.

It didn't take Stout long to answer back - two plays to be exact. Tyrone Rhone (Sr, Milwaukee) returned the kickoff 60 yards to the Concordia 35. Bundgaard rushed for nine yards and quarterback Adam Moiles (Jr, High Rolls, New Mexico) connected with Dan Austin (So, Clintonville) for a 26-yard score at 10:59. An Evan Larson (Fr, River Falls) PAT made the score 7-7.

Scoring would be at a premium for much of the half, but Stout put together a drive that was topped off by a Moiles to Matt Sprester (Jr, Clear Lake) 43-yard play four minutes before halftime.

Bundgaard added another score on a 19-yard stroll to the end zone at the 2:08 mark to send Stout into the locker room with a 21-7 lead.

Concordia tightened the score in the third when Hebrink found Clark on a sideline pattern just past the end zone stripe with a Stout defender draped all over him for a 25-yard score.

Larsen pushed Stout up with two fourth quarter field goals, a 35-yarder and a 30 yarder.

Oehlers finished the scoring at 4:34 in the fourth.

Hebrink completed 15-of-31 passes for 188 yards and two TDs. Clark pulled down nine passes for 89 yards.

Moiles was 12-for-22 for 146 yards and two TDs, with seven Blue Devils getting a reception.

Stout linebacker Jamie Spielman (Sr, Menomonie) had another stellar performance, recording 12 tackles, six solo, four tackles for losses of 26 yards and two sacks for 24 yards. Joe Kersten (Jr, Menasha) had six tackles, four for losses of 16 yards and a sack.

The Cobbers Josh Dietz had 14 tackles, five solo, three tackles for losses of 14 yards, one 24-yard interception return and a sack. Zach Turpin was in on 13 tackles, 10 solo, and had a sack.

The Stout win may help to give the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) a leg-up on the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) when it comes to NCAA playoff selection time. The WIAC has won five of the six meetings between teams of the two conferences this season.

Soccer

October 18, 2002

MENOMONIE - For the fifth time this season, the UW-Stout soccer team played to a tie, this time a 1-1 affair with Gustavus Adolphus, Friday, Oct. 18 at a misty Nelson Field.

The Gusties (8-2-3) got on the board first when Renee Beaudry scored in the 48th minute, assisted by Lindsay Parker.

Stout (5-3-5) answered back in the 79th minute when Kelly Stolarczyk (Fr, Elk River, Minn) scored off a corner kick, assisted by Krista Hight (So, Brookfield).

Gustavus outshot Stout, 19-18. Stout's Melissa Ballweg (So, Merrimac) had 11 saves, while the Gustie's Gwen Peterson recorded nine.

Stout will host UW-La Crosse, Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.

October 15, 2002

MENOMONIE - Despite a lopsided score, UW-Stout women's soccer coach Dave Morris took a look at the positive side of a 6-0 loss to conference powerhouse, Tuesday, Oct. 15 in Stevens Point.

Goalkeeper Melissa Ballweg (So, Merrimac) stopped 10 shots on goal, including several spectacular saves to keep the score in the respectable range.

Defender Stacy Normington (Sr, Delavan), who converted to defense from forward this season, played most of the game injured and managed to hold the fleet-footed right side of the Pointers at bay.

As a team, the Blue Devils "went toe-to-toe with Point," Morris said, "and held possession, repeatedly creating opportunities on the flanks and inside the penalty area. Point was just too athletic on counters, at times. It really was a valiant effort." The Pointers' (10-0-2, 6-0 WIAC) outshot Stout (5-3-4, 1-1-4), 29-4 as Kelly Fink and Jenny Bruce each scored twice. Fink added a couple of assists. The Pointers scored four times in the first half, all within the first 30 minutes.

Volleyball

October 19, 2002

MENOMONIE - Tanille Zenner (Fr, Athens), Brooke Viegut (Jr, Abbotsford) and Gretchen Schroer (Jr, Eau Claire) combined for 41 kills as UW-Stout ran away with a 3-0 win over UW-Platteville, Saturday, Oct. 19.

Zenner put down 15 kills, Viegut 14 and Schroer 12 as the Blue Devils (22-5, 5-2) put down the Pioneers 30-20, 30-27, 30-19. The 41 kills topped the total output of Platteville.

Zenner also took care of business on the defensive side of the net, recording three solo blocks and three assisted blocks. Schroer was in on two assisted blocks and had 17 digs. Laura Bogenschutz (Jr, Baxter, Minn) had 43 assists.

Platteville (9-17, 0-7) got nine kills from Andrea Coffman and eight kills from Shauna Mendenhall.

Stout will close out the regular home season Wednesday, Oct. 23 when they host UW-River Falls.

October 18, 2002

MENOMONIE - It was a big hitting night for two nationally ranked teams, but UW-Stout got the best of UW-La Crosse as the Blue Devils took a 3-1 win over the Eagles, in WIAC volleyball action, Friday, Oct. 18 at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The 24th nationally ranked Eagles (19-5, 4-3) had four players in double digit kills, while the 19th nationally ranked Blue Devils (21-5, 4-2) had three players. Stout took the match, 32-30, 30-21, 22-30, 30-26.

Stout's Brooke Viegut (Jr, Abbotsford) led the way with a match-high 23 kills, while the Eagles' Annalee Erdmann had 22 kills. Stout's Tanille Zenner (Fr, Athens) finished with 20 kills, while Gretchen Schroer (Jr, Eau Claire) had 11. The Eagles' Julie Hunter finished with 12 and Elissa Hansen had 11.

The first and fourth games were close the entire way. In the opener, the lead was never more than four points by either team, and that lead went to LaCrosse when they held a 21-17 lead before Stout bounced back for the win.

In the fourth game, with the score tied 23-23, Stout's Lindsay Mensink (So, Ostrander, Minn) placed a perfect kill to pull Stout ahead. The Blue Devils followed that up with a block by Zenner and Amber Birner (Jr, Warrens) and a Zenner tip to pull ahead by three.

La Crosse battle back to within 27-26 before Stout rattled off the final three points with Viegut getting the last blast.

Viegut finished the night with 22 digs, but was bested by teammate Laura Bogenschutz (Jr, Baxter, Minn), who had 24 digs to go along with her 57 assists.

October 16, 2002

EAU CLAIRE - After winning the first game, UW-Stout dropped the final three to fall to UW-Eau Claire, 3-1, in a WIAC contest, Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Eau Claire.

The Blue Devils (20-5, 3-2) took the first contest, 30-28, but lost the final three, 30-26, 30-26, 33-31.

Brooke Viegut (Jr, Abbotsford) had 18 kills to lead Stout, while Tanille Zenner (Fr, Athens) added 12 kills and Gretchen Schroer (Jr, Eau Claire) tacked on 11.

The Blugolds (16-7, 3-2) got a match-high 24 kills from Brooke Wozniak and 17 from Molly Menard.

The loss snapped a five-match winning streak for the Blue Devils and halted a seven game winning streak over the Blugolds that stretched back to 1999.

Women's Cross Country

October 19, 2002

WINONA, Minn - Lacey Osuldsen (Sr, Ladysmith) placed third and Tracy Oostdyk (So, Spooner) fourth as UW-Stout finished second at the Winona State Invitational Saturday, Oct. 19.

Osuldsen broke the 20 minute mark with a time of 19-minutes, 47-seconds, while Oostdyk clocked in at 20:18.

Lisa Sorvala (Jr, New Brighton, Minn) had her best run since coming back from an injury, finishing 10th with a time 20:57. Kersten Wilson (So, Tomahawk) was 16th (21:11).

Stout will be at the Lake Wissota Invitational, Friday, Oct. 25.

Winona State Invitational
1. UW-River Falls 38; 2. UW-Stout 45; 3. Winona State 54; 4. St. Mary's 89; 5. UM-Morris 126; Open Women, Winona State Alumni, incomplete teams

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
1. Lisa Traxler (RF) 19:40; 3. Lacey Osuldsen 19:47; 4. Tracy Oostdyk 20:18; 10. Lisa Sorvala 20:57; 12. Rachel Wurz 21:05; 16. Kersten Wilson 21:11; 26. Heidi Bedsted 21:53; 30. Alison Weis 22:01; 33. Christine Enger 22:05; 36. Lindsay Enger 22:18; 40. Leah Karaliunas 22:36; 41. Mara Anderson 22:40; 43. Becky Werner 22:41; 49. Laura Eysnogle 22:58; 55. Jenny Hopps 24:05.

Men's Cross Country

October 19, 2002

WINONA, Minn. - Ryan Chernik (So, Pewaukee) finished second at the Winona Invitational, but was first of varsity runners as UW-Stout took first Saturday, Oct. 19.

Chernik finished in a time of 27-minutes, 35-seconds. Teammate Adam Burrack (Fr, Shawano) was fourth in a time of 27:49.

Three other Blue Devils finished in the top 10. Tim King (Sr, Waukesha) was eighth (28:12), Mike Heinen (Fr, New London, Minn) ninth (28:19) and Casey Otto (So, Fall Creek) 10th (28:20). Stout will be at the Lake Wissota Invitational, Friday, Oct. 25.

Winona State Invitational
1. UW-Stout 29; 2. UW-River Falls 55; 3. St. Mary's 68; 4. Open Men 115; Winona State 125; St. Mary's Alumni, Winona Alumni, incomplete teams.

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
1. Dave Huber (unattached) 27:17; 2. Ryan Chernik 27:35; 4. Adam Burrack 27:49; 8. Tim King 28:12; 9. Mike Heinen 28:19; 10. Casey Otto 28:20; 13. John Ullrich 28:40; 16. Brett Heimstead 28:45; 22. Mitch Schlough 29:03; 35. Todd Dexheimer 30:45; 36. Chadd McNutt 30:45; 44. Jon Gallo 33:22.

Women's Tennis

October 20, 2002

MADISON - UW-Stout had perhaps their best outing of the season as the Blue Devils finished sixth at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tennis tournament, Sunday, Oct. 20 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison.

The Blue Devils did not win a conference dual match during the season, but their performance at the tournament was enough to move them to a sixth place finish in the final conference standings, which combines the tournament results and dual season records.

The tone was set for the Blue Devils during the first day of competition when the No. 2 doubles team of Amy Boyle (Jr, Racine) and Meghan Fieber (So, Menomonie) finished fifth, two spots above their No. 7 seed. Boyle and Fieber dropped their first match, but came back to win their second round match and the fifth place match, an 8-2 win over UW-Stevens Point's Jana Braam and Gina Lamer.

All three of Stout's doubles teams were seeded seventh, and the No. 1 team of Lauren Patient (Fr, St. Paul, Minn) and Tanya Petcher (Sr, Marshfield) and the No. 3 team of Tina Rodin (So, Champlin, Minn) and Rachael Weber (Jr, Onalaska) each placed sixth.

Patient and Rodin both placed fifth in singles play.

Patient lost her opening No. 3 match, 6-3, 6-3, to Diana Treu of UW-Oshkosh, then drew a second round bye. Patient defeated UW-River Falls' Mary Metzer, 6-3, 6-0, for fifth.

Rodin lost her first No. 6 match, 7-5, 7-6 (4), to UW-Whitewater's Mary Steimle, then drew a second round bye. Rodin beat the Falcons' Amber Weissinger, 7-6, (2), 6-1.

Petcher finished sixth at No. 2, defeating the Pointers' Lamer, 6-1, 6-0, in the second round, before falling in three sets to River Falls' Amanda Gray.

Stout finished two points above Stevens Point in the tournament finals, and passed them by one point in the final standings. UW-Eau Claire claimed their 10th straight consecutive WIAC title. Blugold coach Tom Gilman, a former Stout standout tennis performer, was named co-coach of the year.

WIAC Tournament Results
1. Eau Claire 58; 2. La Crosse, Whitewater 46; 4. Oshkosh 44; 5. River Falls 24; 6. Stout 18; 7. Stevens Point 16

2002 Dual Meet Standings
1. Eau Claire 6-0 (7 points); 2. La Crosse 5-1 (6); 3. Whitewater 4-2 (5); 4. Oshkosh 3-3 (4); 5. River Falls 2-4 (3); 6. Stevens Point 1-5 (2); 7. Stout 0-6 (1).

2002 Overall WIAC Tennis Standings
1. Eau Claire 21; 2. La Crosse 17; 3. Whitewater 16; 4. Oshkosh 12; 5. River Falls 9; 6. Stout 5; 7. Stevens Point 4.

UW-Stout Individual Results
Singles: No. 1: Rachael Weber lost to Alison Hover (EC) 6-1, 6-0; lost to Jordan Anderson (RF) 6-0, 6-0, (7th place); No. 2: Tanya Petcher lost to Mercedes Blanch (Osh) 6-0, 6-1; def. Gina Lamer (SP) 6-1, 6-0; lost to Amanda Gray (RF) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 (6th); No. 3: Lauren Patientlost to Diana Treu (Osh) 6-3, 6-3; bye; def. Mary Metzer (RF) 6-3, 6-0, (5th); No. 4: Meghan Fieber lost to Maggie Seitz (WW) 6-3, 7-6 (5); lost to Meredith Verberne (RF) 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 (7th); No. 5: Cecily Hiner lost to Becky Bryant (LX) 6-0, 6-0; lost to Kim Goron (SP) 6-2, 7-5 (7th); No. 6: Tina Rodin lost to Mary Steimle (WW) 7-5, 7-4 (4); bye; def. Amber Weissinger (WW) 6-4, 6-4, (5th).

Doubles: No. 1: Lauren Patient/Tanya Petcher lost to Maggie Krueger/Autum Wilkowski (WW) 8-5; def. Rachel Ferge/Amber Wilkowski (SP) 8-3; lost to Kristen Mader/Erica Schmezer (LX) 8-6 (6th); No. 2: Amy Boyle/Meghan Fieber lost to Becky Bryant/Anne Palecek (LX) 8-0; def. Mary Metzer/Meredith Verberne (RF) 9-7; def. Jana Braam/Gina Lamer (SP) 8-2 (5th); No. 3: Tina Rodin/Rachael Weber lost to Lane Drechsler/Katie Pouba (Osh) 8-0; def. Megan Knobloch/Amber Weissinger (RF) 8-4; lost to Kim Goron/Tiffany Serpico (SP) 9-7.

WIAC Tennis Tournament

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October 20, 2002

MENOMONIE - Forgive the UW-Stout hockey team for feeling a little snake bit after last season.

Finishing with an 11-15-1 overall record, the Blue Devils had a school record seven overtime games, going 1-5-1 in extra time. In all, Stout had nine one-goal games or less (3-5-1) and 16 two-goal games or less (6-9-1).

Seventh year coach Terry Watkins said a couple of early losses set the tone for the season, a tone the Blue Devils had a hard time recovering from.

"We lost two games early (in overtime) and we never really recovered," Watkins said. "We had a pretty good year the season before, and the kids thought they could just show up. We were not prepared mentally or physically.

"When we were going through it, we didn't think it was bothering us, but it did."

The Blue Devils lost only four seniors from last years squad, but still return a very young squad with only three seniors - forward Drew Nichols (Victoria, Minn) and defensemen Cullen Flaherty (Duluth, Minn) and Dan Moes (North St. Paul, Minn). Stout has 11 juniors, five sophomores and 13 freshmen expected to be in uniform.

"We are a very young team," Watkins said, but added that he is excited with the incoming talent.

In the goal, all-conference pick Jeff Dotson (Jr, Chanhassen, Minn) returns. Dotson, who set a school record for single season goals against average (GAA) with a 2.94 mark, went 7-6-1 before missing the final five games with a leg injury.

Watkins has seen an improvement in Dotson over the summer because of his work ethic.

"He is as good as there is in the conference," Watkins said about the 6-foot, 3-inch Dotson. "Jeff worked hard over the summer and works very hard in practice. He is the first guy on the ice and the last guy to leave."

Watkins said that Dotson worked throughout the season with assistant coach Ed Roethke to correct some bad habits and improved throughout the year. Dotson had 57 saves in a 2-1 win over UW-River Falls and was named the national player of the week.

Nathan Anderson (So, Rosemount, Minn) returns to goal and filled in admirably after Dotson went down last season.

New to the Blue Devils are Andy Scanlon (Fr, Apple Valley, Minn) and Tim Elde (Fr, Grafton, N.D.). Scanlon is a slightly larger version of Dotson and had a solid year in juniors last season at Fairbanks, Alaska. Elde, the brother of former Stout goalie Kelly, comes directly from Grafton High School where he was a standout football and hockey player.

"I am pretty happy with where we are at in the goal," Watkins said. "We have big, physical, athletic goalies that won't get run over."

On the offensive side, Watkins is looking at Nichols, Nate Legler (Jr, Lakeville, Minn) and Mitch Kellin (Jr, Cohasset, Minn) to pick up where they left off.

Kellin led the team in scoring with 16 goals, the most goals since Mark Corbett scored 17 in Stout's first year returning to varsity status for the 1996-97 season. Kellin tacked on 15 assists from 31 points.

Legler scored 15 goals and eight assists for 23 points last year and was second in Stout scoring as a freshman.

The undersized Nichols has simply been a scorer for the Blue Devils his last three seasons, leading the team as a sophomore, and consistently making his presence known.

Derek Nichols (Jr, Victoria, Minn) and Lewie Kellin (Jr, Cohasset, Minn), brothers of Drew and Mitch, respectively, will be called upon to work into the offense.

Returners Adam Balach (So, Duluth, Minn), John Schaffner (So, Janesville), Dan Riffe (Jr, Byron, Ill), Dan Winkler (Jr, Brooklyn Center, Minn), Kory Mortel (So, Cottage Grove, Minn), Jake Hemmah (So, Red Wing, Minn) and Caleb Shanahan (So, Tulsa, Okla) will all work into the mix, as will freshmen Justin Huth (Shakopee, Minn, Mike Elm (Roseville, Minn), Mike Messerer (Cedar Falls, Iowa), Josh Vonch (Red Wing, Minn), and Adam Fisher (Janesville).

Team leader Flaherty leads a good size group of defensemen, where he is the smallest of all the returners. What he may lack in size, Flaherty, a three-year performer, makes up in ice savvy.

"Cullen is just a solid player," Watkins said. "He sees the game well and understands the game. He keeps things simple on the ice and is a confident, relaxed player."

Flaherty missed nearly half of the season due to an early season injury, but still managed three goals and five assists.

Other defensive returners include Moes, Bryan Cummings (Jr, Austin, Minn), Kevin McLaughlin (Jr, Oakland, Calif), Charlie O'Hearn (Jr, Traverse City, Mich), and Andy Jasicki (Jr, New Brigton, Minn).

Cummings was the team's most pleasant surprise last year, Watkins said. "He has become a team leader," Watkins said, "and he gets after it."

Watkins is hoping that McLaughlin may become like Cummings last year.

"He absolutely worked hard all last year," Watkins said. "He has grown into his body and grown into his coordination." At 6-7, 225-pounds, that is a good thing.

O'Hearn made the switch from forward, where he scored seven goals and 15 assists, to defense. Watkins said O'Hearn sees the ice very well and will see plenty of time on the power play.

Watkins describes Jasicki as the "type of player coaches love to have. Andy will do anything you ask him," Watkins said. "He is a handyman type of player. Very versatile."

First year defensemen include Bob McDonald (Fr, Eagle River), Antii Makikyro (Jr, Liminka, Finland), Andy Hartung (Fr, Hastings, Minn), Brent Palmer (Fr, Hermantown, Minn), Josh Blair (Fr, Appleton) and Bob Berg (Fr, Rice Lake).

Watkins looks forward to the season.

"Last year we had 'the buts, the ifs, the could haves,'" Watkins said. "This year, we have what it takes to win."

Watkins will be assisted by Ed Roethke, Graham Lomen and Paul Frank.

The Blue Devils open Friday, Oct. 25 when they host Lawrence University in a weekend series. The Blue Devils will also return to Colorado Springs, Colo., Dec. 6-7, where they will face the host Air Force Academy, an NCAA Division I team, in the first round of a tournament featuring two other Division III opponents.

Updated: October 21, 2002