BLUFFTON, OHIO – A stout second half defensive effort fueled Manchester University’s victory at Bluffton University of Ohio Saturday, Sept. 29. The Spartans, picking up their first win of 2012, held the Beavers (3-2, 2-1 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference) on downs twice, forced them to punt twice and ended a drive with an interception in the second half en route to a 24-14 win. MU kept the home team below its season rushing average as well, surrendering just 86 rushing yards. Senior defensive back Max Jones (Anderson, Ind.) highlighted the defensive effort with a “pick six”, as he intercepted a Tyler Wright aerial near midfield and rambled 51 yards for the touchdown with only 1:38 remaining. Bluffton managed to move deep into Spartan territory after Jones’ key play but missed a field goal attempt in the final minute to seal the MU victory. The two offenses traded two touchdowns each in the opening half. Manchester University (1-4 overall, 1-2 HCAC) used the running and throwing abilities of junior quarterback Nick Williams (Fort Wayne, Ind.) to spark a pair of first quarter scoring drives. Williams hit junior halfback Ryne Lehrman (Hoagland, Ind.) for a 38-yard scoring strike to complete an opening drive in which he was three-for-four through the air. After forcing a Bluffton punt on its first possession, the Black and Gold went to the ground on its next drive, marching 67 yards on nine plays behind Williams and junior running back Dan Hunter (Rushville, Ind.). Williams covered the final five yards for the touchdown. Bluffton came back through the air with a late first quarter and early second quarter strike to tie the game at 14-14. Manchester University got the ball right before halftime and maneuvered 51 yards in 12 plays to set senior place-kicker Kyle Evans (Winamac, Ind.) up for a 34-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead into halftime. Williams led the Spartan offense with 67 yards rushing and 151 yards passing. Senior wide receiver Kurt Monix (Crown Point, Ind.) was the top receiver with six catches for 48 yards. His six receptions helped him hit the 100-reception milestone for his collegiate career. Junior linebacker Zach Dashner (South Bend, Ind.) led the defense with 13 tackles, 10 of which were unassisted. MU’s defense ended the game with six sacks and 13.5 tackles for losses. Manchester University returns to Carl Burt Field to begin a stretch of back-to-back home games Saturday, Oct. 6. Defiance College of Ohio visits for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
SOCCER Manchester splits league openers HANOVER - A goal in the 33rd minute from senior midfielder/forward Andrew Gray (Anderson, Ind.) helped Manchester University’s men’s soccer squad conclude an unbeaten week Saturday, Sept. 29. Gray, tallying his second goal and first game-winning score of the season, took advantage of a rebound situation near the Hanover College goal to post the eventual decider in the 2012 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener for both sides. The host Panthers, falling to 4-4-2 overall, attempted to find equalizer throughout the remainder of the contest. Spartan senior goalkeeper Grant Noakes (LaPorte, Ind.), earning his second successive shutout in the face of an 18-5 shots advantage for HC, held firm with eight saves to preserve the 1-0 decision. Noakes increased his current scoreless streak in net for Coach David Good’s squad (3-8 overall, 1-0 HCAC) to 203 minutes and 14 seconds with his seventh career shutout. The Black and Gold return to Spartan Field Tuesday, Oct. 2, when Franklin College visits for a 4 p.m. start.
WOMEN’S SOCCER Manchester University sophomore goalkeeper Emily Willmann (Montpelier, Ind.) kept it close throughout Saturday, Sept. 29, in the Black and Gold’s 2012 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener. However, a 21-3 shots disadvantage for the Spartans proved the difference in a 2-0 Heartland College Athletic Conference loss to Hanover College. Willmann compiled nine saves in net against the Panthers (7-2, 1-0 HCAC). The host side managed to find the back of the Black and Gold net in the 29th and 86th minutes to gain the win. MU, dropping to 4-4-2 overall, did get a shot on goal try off the foot of sophomore midfielder Amber Kent (Fountaintown, Ind.). The loss snapped a three-match win skein which was the program’s longest since 2008. Coach Andy Stout’s squad continues HCAC play when Franklin College visits Spartan Field Wednesday, Oct. 3, for a 4 p.m. match.
VOLLEYBALL Spartans drop both ends of triangular HANOVER – Manchester University was sent to a pair of 3-0 losses against host Hanover College and Asbury College of Kentucky at Hanover’s Collier Arena Saturday, Sept. 29. The Spartans, falling to 9-10 overall and 0-2 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play, struggled on the offensive end. MU had just a .034 team attack percentage which included a minus .011 effort against Hanover. Freshman outside hitter Sarah Pruden (Noblesville, Ind.) still managed 14 kills, 14 digs, four block assists and a service ace to go along with a .167 attack percentage. Fellow Noblesville native Morgan Pavelka turned in seven kills and four block assists from her middle hitter spot. Sophomore defensive specialist Morgan Yoder (Goshen, Ind.) registered two service aces, and freshman defensive specialist/libero Meika Kennedy finished with 15 digs. Manchester University looks to snap a five-match skid when Defiance College of Ohio visits Stauffer-Wolfe Arena Wednesday, Oct. 3. First serve is 7 p.m.
WOMEN’S TENNIS MU splits HCAC duals FRANKLIN – Manchester University rolled past Bluffton University of Ohio 9-0 to highlight a double-dual at Franklin College Saturday, Sept. 29. The Spartans, going to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action, received 8-0 singles’ decisions from juniors Kara Gilley (Plymouth, Ind.) and Amanda Keating (Lafayette, Ind.) and freshman Megan Buckner (Muncie, Ind.) in the win. Coach Eric Christiansen’s squad was felled by the Lady Grizzlies of Franklin 6-3 in their first dual. The home side used a sweep of doubles action and was able to gain a split in singles to earn the decision. Gilley opened a 2-0 day with a straight-set win at number one, while senior Alli Heeter (Nappanee, Ind.) went to 6-0 on the season with a straight-set victory. Senior Alyssa Dibley (Elkhart, Ind.) took the other singles’ win for Manchester University via a 10-7 final in a superbreaker. MU wraps up its fall home dual schedule Wednesday, Oct. 3, when Anderson University visits the college’s courts. Match time for the 2012 Senior Day dual is 4 p.m.
WOMEN’S GOLF Melick leads Black and Gold FRANKLIN – Manchester University produced a 384 team score and seventh-place team finish at Franklin College’s Lady Grizzly Invitational Sunday, Sept. 30. The Spartans, closing just nine strokes out of the top five, turned in three top 40 individual finishes. Senior Amber Melick (Geneva, Ind.) led the trio with a 93 which put her in a tie for 28th. Sophomore Aubrey Mills (Richmond, Ind.) was next, placing in a tie for 34th with a 95, while junior Carly Clock (Hartford City, Ind.) carded a 96 to end in a tie for 37th. Coach Tara Boone’s squad is off this weekend to begin preparations for the 2012 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships. The tournament, which is hosted by Franklin College at The Legends Golf Club, is set for Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14.
MEN’S GOLF Shearer individual top 20 leads Manchester WABASH – Manchester University continued its run of improvement from round-to-round at its 36-hole fall invitational Saturday, Sept. 29. The Spartans carded scores of 316 and 306 on its home course of Honeywell Public Golf Course. MU’s 622 total left it tied for seventh with Franklin College. Coach Brett Vanlandingham’s squad shaved nine strokes off its second round total at last weekend’s Franklin College Fall Invitational with its first round effort and continued the theme with the second 18 finish. Sophomore Tyler Shearer (Huntington, Ind.) compiled an individual score of 151 to lead the Black and Gold. His score put him 20th on the leaderboard. Juniors D.K. DeLong (Windfall, Ind.) and Patrick McNinch (Fostoria, Ohio) were next low at 156 and 157. Transylvania University of Kentucky produced a pair of sub 600 totals from its A and B squads with the Pioneers’ varsity holding off the B team 569-581 for first. The Spartans continue their four-meet fall slate by competing at the Wabash College Small College Classic Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and 7.
