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Show Wednesday, October 15,2008 SPORTS r THE SIGNPOST 'Cats win war against Eastern Washington WSU first place in Big Sky after wild game with red cards, ejections, stitches, overtime .Weber State University midfielder Hayley McCoy battles for position in a game at the PE Playfield earlier this season. McCoy led the Wildcats to a victory at Eastern Washington University Sunday with a goal in double overtime, after returning to the game from the hospital. By Gentry Reinhart iisst. sports editor I The Signpost Weber State University senior Haley McCoy led the Weber State Wildcats into war against the Eastern Washington University Eagles on Sunday afternoon in Cheney, Wash. The fight was long, many were wounded, but in the end the Wildcats emerged victorious and atop the Big Sky Conference standings with a 2-0 conference record. "It was one of the craziest games I've ever played," said WSU junior goalkeeper Rebecca Ritchie. "It was insane; I don't even know how to explain it." Ritchie fended off 10 shots in the game and held together a defense that was outshot 11-6 in the first half. The defense slowly found its rhythm after a first half that saw five of Ritchie's 10 saves. Over the second half Ritchie stopped three shots, and in the first overtime she came up with her last two potential game savers. But even Ritchie's 10 saves were overshadowed by another number 10, Haley McCoy. McCoy put the Wildcats up just two minutes and 27 seconds into the game when she took a double assist from Shaylee Hyde and Kelly Robinson and buried the ball in the bottom-right corner of the goal. "Haley played so good," Richie said. "She scored a goal, got hurt and came back, she did a great job." Eastern Washington launched a See Soccer page 10 SOURCE. WSU ATHUTICS Big Sky's best Higgins, Bair, McCoy earn Big Sky Conference Player of the Week awards in respective sports all in same week Fourth and Goal By Matt Gerrish asst. sports editor The Signpost FILE PHOTO BY MATT CLASS I IHE StCNfOS I Weber State University quarterback Cameron Higgins completed 29-of-36 passes for 366 yards and four touchdowns in the Wildcats' 35-12 win in snowy and windy conditions at Montana State University Saturday. Higgins leads the NCAA Division FCS with 2,138 passing yards this season. FILE PHOTO BY MATT CLASS I THE SIGNPOST Weber State University outside hitter Chelsea Bair had two double-doubles last week in Wildcat victories against the University of Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona University. She averaged 4.43 kills and 3.57 digs per set. FILE PHOTO BY CINDY McCOY Weber State University midfielder Hayley McCoy scored two goals, including the game-winner, against Eastern Washington University Sunday. Her game-winning goal came with 12 seconds left in the second overtime after returning from the hospital with stitches in her head. Shorthanded hockey team loses two at ASU Losses against tough Dl opponent still a step forward By jon McBride sports editor I The Signpost The Weber State University Hockey Team lost 5-0 and 4-2 last weekend at Arizona State University, but according to Wildcat Head Coach Steve Soto, it was still a step forward for his team. "I thought we did pretty well," Soto said. "We still need to play 60 minutes of hockey and that's why the scores were so lopsided. There were just some penalties and breakdowns when it wasn't time to break down." In Friday's game the Wildcat hung tough for 40 minutes, Wildcat offense running toward records heading into the third period down 1-0. ASU's only goal came on an unlucky deflection off of a WSU defenseman. Then the 'Cats started getting tired and taking lazy penalties. "We had a bit of a let down in the third period for about five minutes," Soto said, "and that's all it took for a good DI team to bury a couple goals." The Sun Devils buried the depleted Wildcats with four quick goals to end the game. WSU struggled through the weekend, missing players like John Darby, Craig Lindgren and Dave Lorenzon to injuries. The 'Cats were running three lines of offense and three sets of defense. "We still need to play 60 minutes of hockey and that's why the scores were so lopsided." - Steve Soto, WSU head coach "Even the guys we are going with right now are a little banged up," Soto said. The Wildcats are hoping the See Hockey page 10 H U PHOTO BY MATT CLASS 1 JHt SIGNPOST Weber State University goaltender Kyle Gover stops a puck in a game last season. Gover and the Wildcats hung tough with Arizona State University last weekend, but lost both games they played 5-0 and 4-2. Aside from the Weber State University Football Team's impressive 5-2 start and No. 18 ranking in the FCS, I can't help but notice the astonishing amount of achievements some Wildcat players have garnered thus far in the season. On Monday, WSU quarterback Cameron Higgins picked up Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honors for the third time this season. It's his fourth so far in his career, already tyinghimforthesecond most of any quarterback in Wildcat history, only behind the legendary Jamie Martin, who snagged seven during his tenure at WSU in the early '90s. Higgins is also chasing many other Martin records. So far this year, Higgins has accumulated 2,083 yards in total offense, putting him only 439 yards behind 10th place on WSU's single-season record list. While that may not look impressive to most, Higgins still has five games to play in the season, and is capable of gaining all of those 439 yards in as quick as one game. The Wildcats take on the University of Northern Colorado this weekend, who has one of the ugliest defenses in the conference. Higgins already has 4,214 yards in total offense in his career, good enough to put him in sixth place on WSU's all-time list, and best yet, Higgins is only a sophomore. If he continues at his tearing pace, he has the potential to bust more than 12,000 total yards in his career. I bet Martin never thought his record would be challenged. Higgins is already sitting at third on the all-time list for passing touchdowns with 40, and eighth on the all-time list for passing yards with 4,080. If Higgins' career ended today, he would hold the WSU records for completion percentage and passing efficiency. Thus far, Higgins is leading the nation in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. His 23 touchdowns are second most in WSU history, and he needs 13 more to break Martin's record of 35 in a year. WSU quarterback records aren't the only ones being threatened. Running back Trevyn Smith is also sitting on a list with Higgins. His 3,476 total yards are good enough for 10th in WSU history. Smith also has accumulated 3,090 rushing yards in his career, only 503 behind Nick Chournos who is WSU's all-time leading rusher. Smith has also moved into fifth place on WSU's career all* See Fourth and Goal page 10 |