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Show Statesman Sports Page 8 Monday, Oct. 17, 2011 USU earns big win over Montana Tech BY MEREDITH KINNEY sports senior writer Fresh off a huge weekend, the Utah State hockey team returned home for a matchup with the Montana Tech University Orediggers Friday night. A late effort in the second and third periods helped the Aggies to a 12-4 victory over Montana Tech. Forward Tyler Mistelbacher continued a strong season for the Aggies, racking up five goals and an assist for Utah State. Mistelbacher is having a break-out season. The junior, who is currently sitting second on the Aggies' stat sheet, has recorded 25 points on 14 goals and 11 assists. "He's been working hard this year," said head coach Jon Eccles. "It's been a different Mistel on the ice." Eccles said Mistelbacher, who thrives in high caliber situations, struggles in matchups like Friday night's blowout. "Sometimes he has a hard time because he likes playing those top-tiered teams. He's very aggressive," Eccles said. "Sometimes there's not as much enthusiasm." Mistelbacher's effort wasn't alone. Six Aggie skaters scored on the night, including forwards Joel Basson and Brian Gibbons, who each added two goals to the final score. After a scoreless first period, the Aggies jumped to an early 7-1 lead in the second and added a five-goal cushion in the third. The Aggies battled penalties in the first period, something they've been struggling with all season. Utah State served a total of 15 penalty minutes making the penalty kills even more important. USU struggled early trying to make offensive production. "We did kind of start out a little sluggish," Eccles said. "We got our heads out of it and focused on the game." The teams went into the locker rooms during first intermission with a 0-0 tie. "(Assistant coach) Kent (Arsenault) and I were as forceful as we could be, but we still emphasized the positives," Eccles said. "We tried to snap them back into the game." After a penalty-filled first, both teams reigned in their play. The Aggies were only caught on one penalty in the period. "We responded really well in the second period," Eccles said. "We had a lot of good production, and we only had one penalty versus all the penalties we had earlier. They really got focused and started doing the things we wanted to. The Aggie offense hit a groove as the forwards combined for seven goals in the period. USU Center Billy Gouthro took a well-placed pass from Basson and onetimed it past Oredigger goalie James Adamo, for the Aggies' first goal of the night. Aggie converted forward Jeff Sanders, Basson A USU HOCKEY PLAYER picks up hats thrown from the stands after junior forward Tyler Mistelbacher scored a hat-trick against Montana Tech Saturday.The Aggies beat the Orediggers 12-4. KIMBERLY SHORTS photo and Gibbons each added a goal while Mistelbacher notched a hat-trick, with all three goals in the period. The Orediggers' only goal on the period came off the stick of center Mark Nelson, who found a fast break opportunity against Aggie goalkeeper Cody Palmer. The Aggie defense put in a big effort but was unable to get back for the stop. Utah State fell into bad blood in the third period when 40 minutes of frustration came to a head. "It was a very dirty team, I felt," Eccles said. "That doesn't help, because guys retaliate when they feel like they've been wronged." Four game misconducts, including three to Aggie players, headlined a chippy period. Utah State added five more goals but allowed three to the Orediggers. Salt Lake native Cooper Limb scored for the Aggies while Basson and Gibbons each tacked on their second goals of the night. Mistelbacher completed his five-goal night with two goals in the period. Palmer had 15 saves in his second win of the season. The Aggies remain at home to face off against the University of Montana Oct. 21. - meredith.kinney@aggiemail. usu.edu Tennis takes on ITA tournament BY MEGAN BODILY staff writer The Utah State women's tennis team went out of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association regional tournament with a bang this weekend. Players rallied to make strong showings in the last regular fall season tournament in Las Vegas. USU senior Monica Abella took to the courts in both singles and doubles play, receiving a bye in the first round in the singles main draw. She was the only Aggie to survive to the third day of play in singles action in the consolation round. In the doubles main draw, Abella reached the round of 16 with freshman partner Mckenzie Davis. After beating Caroline Scnell and Steffi Rath from Denver University, 8-5, and Emma Verberne and Michelle Okhremchuk from University of Nevada, 8-6, the tandem team eventually lost to Boise State's Sandy Vo and Marlena Pietzuch in an 8-3 battle. Other notable Aggies were juniors Jaclyn West and Kristina Voystekhovich. West suffered a back injury at the Boise State Invitational but bounced back to beat University of New Mexico's Mari Sablina, 6-2, 6-1, in the first round of the main draw in singles action. She fell to University of Utah's Danielle Flores, 2-6, 3-6, in the second round. Aggie Voystekhovich continued her successful fall season action in the singles main draw outlasting University of Northern Colorado's Elizabeth Tapia in a three-set battle. After dropping the first set to Tapia, Voystekhovich eventually took the match, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. Voystekhovich went on to sweep Colorado State's Tori Arneson, 6-3, 6-1, and reach the quarterfinals in the singles main draw, in which she lost to Nives Pavlovic from University of NevadaLas Vegas in straight sets. The other Aggies did not fare as well, struggling to get past the first round in both the main draw and the consolation draw. See TENNIS, Page 9 From Page 7 Volleyball sweeps Reno tonight, we really seemed to connect." Freshman middle blocker Tessa Lea'ea had a big night for Nevada and kept the Wolfpack in the set, but the Aggies wouldn't be denied. After a service ace from Sorensen put the lead at 23-16, USU went right back to McArthur, who put down her eighth kill to finish the set, 25-18. "We had a lot of energy, and we wanted to get the momentum straight off the bat," McArthur said. "We were able to do that, and we were able to keep the lead and keep the momentum." The Wolfpack took its first lead of the match in the third set, matching the Aggies point for point. The lead built to as many as three, but Utah State responded with a 6 0 run to turn a three-point deficit into a three point advantage. Nevada responded, but with the score tied at 14, the Aggies assumed control and patiently played their game. USU came away with a 25-18 third set win, to sweep the match. - With the win Utah State improved to 4-3 in WAC play and moved to 9-11 on the season. Nevada fell to 1-6 in the WAC and 3-15 on the season. The Aggies head out on a two-game road trip as they visit the Spartans of San Jose State University Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. USU then heads to the Pacific, looking to avenge its early season loss to the No. 8 Rainbow Wahine of the University of Hawaii, Oct. 21 at 10 p.m. - curtis.lundstrom@aggiemall.usu.edu USU DEFENDER NATALIE NORRIS boots a ball downfield during a 2-0 win over New Mexico State Oct. 7. The Aggies beat Nevada 2-0 Sunday to improve to I 1-4-1. CODY GOCHNOUR photo From Page 7 Soccer continues successful season allowing any corner kicks and Nevada was caught offside on four occasions, in comparison to only once for the Aggies. This was the third straight win for the Aggies, as they continue to build on their early season momentum, and Cairns said she is hopeful the team will carry it through the rest of the season. "We have to keep pushing for qualifying for the conference tournament," Cairns said. "We have to keep pushing to play good soccer and to really take it to teams and impose our style of play." Utah State improved to 11 4 1 on the season and moves to 3-1 in WAC play, while Nevada fell to 3-13 on the year and dropped to 1-3 in the WAC. - SENIOR ALL-AMERICAN LIZ MCARTHUR spikes a ball into the Nevada defense in a 3-0 win Friday night. McArthur had 18 kills in the match. CODY GOCHNOUR photo - The Aggies conclude their two-game road trip at the University of Idaho Friday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m. Utah State will then host the San Jose State Spartans and the Fresno State Bulldogs in a two-game home stand Oct. 28 and 30. "We've got a lot of season left to achieve our goals. To play in the tournament is a dream for all of us," Cairns said. "The most exciting part of the season is still ahead of us." - curtis.lundtrom@aggiemail.usu.edu |