The Lawrence University hockey team hits the road this weekend for a Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association series at Northland College. The puck drops at 7 p.m. on Friday and the series wraps up with a 3 p.m. game on Saturday.
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Inside LU Athletics: Vikings look to continue team building
Lawrence University women’s basketball coach Tara Carr could exchange her whistle for a hard hat because she is trying to build the Vikings into something special.
As Carr embarks on her second season with the Vikings, she wants to improve the team’s record and bring this group of young women together.
“We have five new freshmen and team unity is No. 1,” Carr said. “Everything we do is talking about team.”
The Vikings return seven players, including four starters from a season ago when Lawrence won just one game. Lawrence does have a group of talented newcomers, led by local prep standout Katie Schumacher.
“We want to improve, but we have a lot of new faces and that takes some time,” Carr said.
The Vikings also had four players participating in a fall sport, and senior Cathy Kaye is studying in Italy and will not return to the team until after Thanksgiving.
“Despite that, the relationships and the bonding have already happened. For me, that’s what it’s about,” Carr said. “Watching it, it’s been a great experience. It’s hard to explain, but this year’s team feels different.
“When they feel good, they play good,” Carr added with a smile. “It’s important for me as a coach to create an environment that stays positive and remains focused on the team.”
The Vikings will build their attack around junior guards Alex Deshler and Amber Lisowe, who missed her entire freshman season due to injury. Lisowe led the team in scoring last season at 12.0 points per game, and Deshler also averaged in double figures at 10.2 points per game. Deshler also is the top returning rebounder after averaging 6.9 boards per game last season.
“Amber and Alex really need to play well for the team to play well. They need to contribute double figures in scoring and rebounding numbers. They must impact the game for us to be successful,” Carr said.
“Alex’s basketball IQ is just amazing. Her internal competitive edge is like no other. That kid wants to win and she is clutch. I think Amber is more of the glue of the team. She does that on and off the court.”
Junior guard Jessica Robbins also returns, and Carr looks to Robbins’ quickness to give the Vikings a spark.
“That kid is so quick,” Carr said of Robbins. “Her defensive skill set is amazing. We’ve challenged her to be more of a consistent offensive threat. We’re hoping her defensive ability will lead to more on the offensive end.”
Kaye averaged 7.1 points per game last season and is joined by sophomore Kassidy Rinehart, a former star at Hortonville who started 17 games as a freshman.
Schumacher heads the list of five newcomers who bring size (all are forwards and average 5-foot-10) and a clean slate to the program.
“The nice thing is when you get new players, they don’t know about the past. They know what they’ve read, and we talk about where we’re headed and where we’ve been,” said Carr, who added the newcomers know what is expected of them.
“The expectation is you need to come in an contribute right now. That is something we have emphasized since day one.”
Rowland honored
Junior defensive specialist Kathleen Rowland has been named to the all-Midwest Conference volleyball team.
Rowland, who was chosen for the second consecutive season, was selected for the second team. Rowland led the team with 475 digs and averaged 5.52 per set. She also chipped in with 13 service aces on the season.
Record falls
Quarterback Luke Barthelmess is Lawrence’s career passing yards leader after breaking All-American Jim Petran’s record last Saturday. Barthelmess, the son of head football coach Mike Barthelmess, now has 5,738 yards in two seasons as the starter. Petran’s record of 5,431 had stood since 1979.
Mazur tops two grand
Standout wide receiver Tyler Mazur is just the sixth receiver to post 2,000 career receiving yards after passing the mark last Saturday at Knox. Mazur posted his third consecutive 100-yard receiving game of the season last Saturday and now has 2,031 yards for his career. He is just 31 yards from passing All-American Pat Schwanke for fifth place on the career list.
Game of the Week
Lawrence and Ripon renew the oldest college football rivalry in the state on Saturday when the Vikings host the Red Hawks in the season finale at the Banta Bowl. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. with the Doehling-Heselton Memorial Trophy at stake. This is the 112th meeting between the teams, which makes it the 14th-longest rivalry in NCAA Division III.
Editor’s Note: Inside LU Athletics is a notes package written by Lawrence University Director of Athletic Media Relations Joe Vanden Acker. It will feature teams and individual players, recap weekly awards or highlights and take a look at what’s ahead for the Vikings.
Rowland named to all-conference volleyball team again
Lawrence University volleyball standout Kathleen Rowland has been named to the All-Midwest Conference volleyball team for the second consecutive season.
Rowland (Champaign, Ill./Central), a junior defensive specialist, was a second-team selection. She also was chosen for the second team in 2011.
Rowland led the Vikings at 5.52 digs per set and also contributed 20 assists and 13 aces on the season. Rowland was the heart of Lawrence’s back line and was the only player to record more than 30 digs in a match this season. Rowland had four matches with 30-plus digs, and turned in a season-high 37 digs in a victory over the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Lawrence finished with an 8-17 overall record and a 2-8 mark in Midwest Conference play.
Lawrence vs. Ripon preview
The Lawrence University football team wraps up its season on Saturday when its hosts rival Ripon College. This is the oldest college football rivalry in the state of Wisconsin and the 14th-oldest rivalry in all of NCAA Division III football. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in the Banta Bowl.
Inside LU Athletics: Football team fights back with road victory
The last month had been rough on the Lawrence University football team.
Facing the Midwest Conference’s powerhouse teams in four consecutive weeks, the Vikings got beaten up pretty good.
Rather than packing it in for the final three weeks, Lawrence fought back by going on the road and handing out some punishment of its own. The Vikings beat Grinnell College 24-14 last Saturday and are looking to build on that success.
“We had the big four weeks where we were going up against Goliath every week,” Lawrence head coach Mike Barthelmess said. “When our guys get the opportunity to play against a like team, I feel like we are going to do well.
“I feel so strongly that when we do decide to show up and play, we can compete with anyone in the conference. We have the same opportunity this week.”
Lawrence (2-6, 2-5 MWC) travels to Knox College (1-7, 1-6) to face a vastly improved Prairie Fire squad on Saturday.
“Knox is so much better than last year, and they run the ball extremely well,” Barthelmess said. “Fortunately, our defense is starting to get better at the right time. The players are working hard and (defensive coordinator Jason Anderson and defensive assistant Rich Agness) are making the right adjustments.”
The Vikings defense allowed the fewest points (14) last Saturday since they gave up 12 to Knox back in 2010. They also allowed a season-low 268 yards, and Grinnell picked up 107 of those yards on just two plays.
Barthelmess said the defensive coaches left the calls to the players on the field, and that fits with his philosophy of the team taking ownership in the program.
“They (Anderson and Agness) train them all week as to what calls to make, and then they leave it to the guys to do that,” Barthelmess said. “You’ve got a defensive group that are starting to buy into a system that is much different than what they’ve had in the past.”
The Vikings also took a big step forward when Grinnell challenged Lawrence in the second half. Lawrence led 17-0 at the half, just like they did back in 2010. Two seasons ago, Grinnell came back and won 31-17. That didn’t happen last week after Grinnell scored on the opening possession of the second half.
“When we went into halftime this weekend, I was just crazed. I was bound and determined not to let that happen again,” Barthelmess said. “We had the 98-yard drive, and that was huge. That made a statement to Grinnell and ourselves that we were not going to let down.”
Lawrence answered the Grinnell score with a 13-play, 98-yard touchdown drive to go up 24-7. Grinnell got a 68-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter to close within 10, but the Vikings dominated the rest of the game to close out the victory.
“I see potential in these guys. I see potential in these guys that they don’t see. When these things happen, it may surprise them but it doesn’t me,” Barthelmess said.
“I’ve been placed in this position to show these guys what they can be. If I can do that, then I’m doing my job.”
Numbers game
Senior football player Tyler Mazur has put together some eye-popping numbers in only two seasons as a wide receiver. Mazur, who came to Lawrence as a sophomore, played quarterback during his first season with the Vikings.
That hasn’t stopped him from amassing 116 catches for 1,927 yards and 20 touchdowns. Mazur is poised to be just the sixth receiver in Lawrence history to reach 2,000 receiving yards. He currently ranks sixth in Lawrence history in catches, seventh in receiving yards and fourth in total touchdowns.
Record set to fall
Junior quarterback Luke Barthelmess is set to break Lawrence’s career passing yards record, which has stood since 1979. Barthlemess has 5,352 yards, just 80 short of breaking the record of 5,431 established by All-America quarterback Jim Petran from 1976-79.
Dropping the puck
The Lawrence hockey team drops the puck on its home season Saturday night at the Appleton Family Ice Center when the Vikings host Concordia (Wis.) University. The Vikings play their season opener at Concordia on Friday night.
Lawrence vs. Concordia (Wis.) preview
The Lawrence University hockey team opens its season with a home-and-home series with Concordia (Wis.) University this weekend. The Vikings play at Concordia on Friday and then return to the Appleton Family Ice Center for Saturday night’s home opener.
Lawrence at Knox preview
The Lawrence University football team hits the road again this week as it travels to Knox College for a Midwest Conference game on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., and the game is available via a free video webcast.
Barthelmess, Mazur lead Vikings past Grinnell
GRINNELL, Iowa — Quarterback Luke Barthelmess ran for two touchdowns and threw for another, and receiver Tyler Mazur had another big day as the Lawrence University football team beat Grinnell College 24-14 in a Midwest Conference game Saturday at Rosenbloom Field.
Barthelmess ran 17 times for 103 yards and topped the 100-yard mark for the second time this season. Barthelmess also completed 14 of 29 passes for 207 yards. Barthelmess, who also topped the 100-yard rushing mark in the season opener against Cornell, became the first Lawrence back since Craig Ebert in 2008 to rush for more than 100 yards in a game twice in the same season.
Mazur caught six passes for 138 yards and a touchdown, and he ran 11 times for 40 yards.
The Vikings (2-6, 2-5 MWC) built a 17-0 lead and then used a 98-yard scoring drive in the third quarter to help put the game away.
Lawrence took the opening kickoff and marched 70 yards in nine plays for a 7-0 lead. Ben Hartman had a 25-yard run to give the Vikings a first down at the Grinnell three-yard line, and Barthelmess hit Mazur with a touchdown pass on the next play.
After Grinnell (2-6, 2-6) gave up the ball on downs on its first possession of the game, Lawrence took over at its own 21. The Vikings got runs from Barthelmess of 19 and 27 yards, the latter giving Lawrence a first down at the Grinnell 12. Lawrence scored three plays later on Barthelmess’ five-yard run for a 14-0 lead.
Lawrence drove all the way to the Grinnell five-yard line on its next possession but had to settle for Cody Robel’s 23-yard field goal and led 17-0 at the half.
Grinnell scored on its first possession of the second half with a 62-yard drive for a touchdown. Quarterback Sam Poulos hit Jacob Meixler with an 11-yard scoring pass to trim the margin to 17-7.
After an exchange of punts, Lawrence took over at its own two-yard line with 5:22 left in the third quarter. The Vikings moved 98 yards in 13 plays for a touchdown with just 15 seconds left in the third quarter. The Vikings converted all three third downs on the drive and got a 24-yard completion to Dominque Dirden to the Grinnell one-yard line. Barthelmess scored three plays later to put Lawrence up 24-7.
Grinnell got a 68-yard touchdown pass from Poulos to Meixler to cut the lead to 24-14 with 6:28 left in the game, but the Lawrence defense held the Pioneers right there.
The Pioneers got the ball back but gave it up just four plays later, and Lawrence got a first down to run out the clock.
Lawrence hits the road again next Saturday with a game at Knox College.
Cullen’s goal gives Lawrence win over Bucs
Joe Cullen scored in the 67th minute to lift the Lawrence University men’s soccer team to a 1-0 Midwest Conference victory over Beloit College on Saturday at Whiting Field West.
Cullen got the game’s only goal at 66:58 off passes from Karl Mayer and Oliver Newsom.
Senior goalkeeper Kevin Aslett made that goal stand up by making three saves to pick up his fourth shutout of the season. The Lawrence defenders allowed Beloit (11-4-1, 6-3-1 MWC) only six shots in the match.
The Vikings (8-8-1, 5-4-1) fired 15 shots at BJ Kiser, who made seven saves for the Bucs.
Hockey opener vs. Rampage canceled
The Lawrence University vs. Pleasant Prairie Rampage game set for Saturday (Oct. 27) night has been canceled.
It was going to be the first time Lawrence had faced a junior team in an exhibition game since the Vikings defeated the Soo Thunderbirds to open the 2008-09 season.
Lawrence will open its regular season on Nov. 2 when it travels to Concordia (Wis.) University. The Vikings play their home opener on Nov. 3 against Concordia at 7 p.m. at the Appleton Family Ice Center.