Sports – Page 434 – North Platte Post Archive

Montero Gets 1st Career Win, Mets Beat Rockies 2-0

Posted on September 10, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Rafael Montero earned his first major league win, Eric Young Jr. went 3 for 3 with an RBI triple and the suddenly surging New York Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 2-0 Wednesday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

Montero (1-3) returned from the minors and allowed three hits over 5 1-3 innings in his seventh big league start. Juan Lagares had a sacrifice fly for the Mets, who have won seven of eight. They finished a three-game sweep of last-place Colorado, winning the final two by identical scores behind Montero and fellow rookie Jacob deGrom.

Action on the Field Powers Lights at Soccer Field

Posted on September 10, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Kids streaking back and forth on a Brazilian soccer field in scorching tropical heat are producing something more than buckets of sweat.

Billed as Brazil’s first player-powered soccer pitch, a field inaugurated Wednesday in a Rio de Janeiro slum harnesses the kinetic energy of players’ movements to provide nighttime illumination.

Under the project, sponsored by Royal Dutch Shell, around 200 energy-capturing tiles were installed the width and breadth of the field and covered by a layer of AstroTurf. Working in conjunction with solar panels also installed around the field, the player-powered tiles feed electricity to a system of floodlights overhead.

New Broncos Incentive for Great Play: Nice Parking

Posted on September 10, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — John Elway’s Bentley with the six-figure price tag was replaced by Jacob Tamme’s old white Volvo clunker in the prime parking spot outside the Denver Broncos headquarters Wednesday.

Peyton Manning revealed the reason — but didn’t know whose car it was.

When talking about tight end Julius Thomas winning his first AFC Offensive Player of the Week award, Manning mentioned the Broncos’ new parking policy.

The three Broncos who are named the team’s players of the week — one each on offense, defense and special teams — get to park up front where Elway and coach John Fox used to park their cars.

No. 15 NPCC Lady Knights Defeat Rival McCook

Posted on September 10, 2014

North Platte – The No. 15 North Platte Community College Lady Knights (8-4) volleyball team defended their home court Wednesday night as they defeated their rival the McCook Community College Lady Indians (4-11) in four sets 25-16, 25-20, 18-25, 25-21. The Lady Knights cruised to an opening set win before winning the second, dropping the third and winning the fourth set to end the match.,

North Platte was led by sophomore Samantha Byrn who finished with 13 kills to go along with two aces and two blocks. Sophomore Samantha Kennedy led the Lady Knights with six blocks to go along with her 11 kills. Sophomore Taylor King also was in double-digits in the kills column finishing with 10. Sophomore Joli Hopping paced the Lady Knights with 30 assists while freshman Gabrielle Nickel recorded 14. Sophomore Erica Goodwin recorded 34 digs while Byrn had 19, freshman Aryn Mesinger had 14 and Hopping had 12.

The Lady Knights return to action this Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13 as they travel to Sterling, Colo. to compete in the Pizza Hut Invitation. North Platte opens up play with Laramie County Community College on Friday at 1 p.m. The Lady Knights return to the court later that night at 5:00 p.m. as they take on Northeast Community College. On Saturday, the Lady Knights open with Trinidad State Junior College at 10:00 p.m. before concluding the Invitational at 2:00 p.m. with Otero Junior College.

Dates are Set for ’16 Olympic Swim Trials in Omaha

Posted on September 10, 2014

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The 2016 U.S. Olympic swim trials in Omaha, Nebraska, will take place June 26-July 3.

USA Swimming and the Omaha Sports Commission announced Wednesday the dates for the event at the CenturyLink Center. The eight-day competition will be the only qualifier for the U.S. pool swimmers for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The trials will end 34 days before the Aug. 6 opening session of Olympic competition. The 2012 trials ended 26 days in advance of the London Games, which resulted in 31 swim medals for the United States.

The 2016 trials will mark the third consecutive time Omaha has hosted the event. More than 165,000 fans were on hand for the 2012 trials.

Women’s Organization Calls for Goodell to Resign

Posted on September 10, 2014

One of the country’s largest feminist groups has called for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resign.

The National Organization for Women says the NFL has “a violence-against-women problem” and “the only way to restore honor and integrity to the country’s most lucrative and popular pastime” is for Goodell to step down.

NOW says the league should appoint an independent investigator to look into violence against women, sexual assault and stalking. The NFL has been criticized for its handling of the domestic violence case involving Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello says the league appreciates the concern and it has “already initiated steps with the help of outside experts to strengthen our policies and programs on domestic violence and sexual assault.”

According to tax returns submitted by the NFL, Goodell made more than $44 million in 2012 and the league’s revenues approached $10 billion.

Huskers Open Big Ten Play on Thursday

Posted on September 10, 2014

The Nebraska soccer team (4-2) begins its conference slate on Thursday by hosting Northwestern in a Big Ten Network televised game at 2:30 p.m. (CT) at the Nebraska Soccer Field. The Huskers complete their weekend home stand on Sunday against Illinois at 1 p.m.

Nebraska and Northwestern are meeting for the seventh time in series history, with the Huskers holding a 5-1-0 advantage. The Big Red has won the last three meetings, which includes a 2-1 triumph on the road in 2013.

The Huskers and Fighting Illini are set to battle for the sixth time, with Illinois leading the series, 4-1-0. NU picked up its first win against Illinois last season by a 3-2 margin.

Thursday’s match will be televised by the Big Ten Network, as Kevin Kugler and Danielle Slaton call the action from the Nebraska Soccer Field. Sunday’s game will be streamed on the Big Ten Digital Network.

Last Time Out: Huskers Respond to Double OT Heartbreaker with 4-0 Triumph
Nebraska went 1-1 at home over the weekend, falling to No. 20 Oklahoma in double overtime on Friday, Sept. 5, before dominating North Dakota by a 4-0 margin on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Against the Sooners, Katie Kraeutner scored in the sixth minute to put NU up early, but Oklahoma tied the score 1-1 in the 71st minute with Ayana O’Neal’s goal. Despite Nebraska controlling on offense to start the second overtime, Oklahoma’s defense managed to withstand the pressure and scored in the 107th minute for the win.

On Sunday, the Huskers outshot North Dakota 32-2, as Jaycie Johnson scored twice, and Mayme Conroy and Courtney Claassen each added one goal in the 4-0 win.

Both of Johnson’s goals came in the first three minutes of the second half. Conroy scored NU’s first goal of the game in the ninth minute. Claassen scored off a rebound in the 76th minute for her first career goal. Caroline Flynn recorded two assists.

Huskers Sweep Butler, Marquette
Nebraska took down Butler, 1-0, on Friday, Aug. 29 at the Nebraska Soccer Field before defeating Marquette, 3-2, on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Valley Fields in Milwaukee, Wis.

The Huskers outshot the Bulldogs 17-2, but it wasn’t until Caroline Flynn’s goal in the 83rd minute that NU got on the scoreboard. Flynn scored from 30 yards out to the top left corner of the net from the right side of the field. Goalkeeper Kelly Schatz earned two saves during the shutout.

Against the Golden Eagles, Nebraska trailed 2-0 before scoring three goals in the final 26 minutes en route to a 3-2 triumph. Jaycie Johnson scored twice, making her first goal in the 65th minute before adding the game winner off an assist from Caroline Gray in the 83rd minute. Mayme Conroy added a goal for the Huskers in the 69th minute.

Huskers Split Opening Weekend Games
Nebraska opened the regular season on Friday, Aug. 22 with a 4-0 victory over SMU before falling to DePaul, 2-1, on Sunday, Aug. 24 at the Nebraska Soccer Field.

Against the Mustangs, goalkeeper Kelly Schatz earned a shutout in her first career start at the position. She compiled five saves, four of which came in the second half. Caroline Gray, Caroline Flynn, Jaycie Johnson and Sydney Miramontez each scored for the Huskers in the home opener.

Against the Blue Demons, Johnson scored the lone goal for the Huskers in the 89th minute off an assist from Flynn, but DePaul had already built a 2-0 lead. Elise Wyatt scored for the Blue Demons in the 16th minute before Abby Reed added a goal in the 85th minute.

Scouting the Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern is 4-1-1 on the season with victories over Marquette, UIC, Miami (Ohio) and Saint Louis. The Wildcats lost their first game of the 2014 campaign to Fairleigh Dickinson, but haven’t lost since. That stretch includes a 0-0 tie against Missouri on Sept. 5.

Addie Steiner has led the Northwestern offense with six goals, while Kim Jerantowski has scored twice. Niki Sebo, Grace Orndorff and Rachel Zampa each have one goal this season. Goalkeeper Lauren Clem has given up only two goals in nearly 539 minutes of action. She has 18 saves, while completing three shutouts.

Scouting the Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois is 5-1-0 this season and holds a five-match win streak heading into the weekend. The Fighting Illini lost their season opener to Notre Dame by a 3-1 margin before reeling off victories over Louisville, Arizona State, Oakland, College of Charleston and UAB. Illinois will face Iowa on Friday before its match on Sunday against the Huskers.

Jannelle Flaws leads the Fighting Illini in goals scored with four over a span of six games. Allison Stucky, Abby Elinsky and Amy Feher have each scored twice, while Reagan Robishaw, Kara Marbury and Emily Osoba each have one goal. Goalkeepers Claire Wheatley and Michelle Denley have split time at the position. Wheatley has started four games and has eight saves over 405 minutes. Denley has 10 saves over 142 minutes.

Schatz Filling Goalkeeper Role
Sophomore Kelly Schatz has started all six games at goalkeeper for the Huskers this season, playing over 514 minutes. Schatz has 18 saves and has earned two complete game shutouts. She also contributed to a third NU shutout as she played the first 48 minutes against North Dakota. Schatz has given up six goals on the season, but holds a .750 save percentage.

Johnson Continues to Produce on Offense
Nebraska’s leading goal scorer from 2013, Jaycie Johnson, started 2014 where she left off from last season and has six goals through six games.

Johnson has scored two goals in each of the first three weekends, managing a pair of scores in both the Marquette and North Dakota matches. She scored once against SMU and once while facing DePaul.

A Lake Winnebago, Mo. native, Johnson has taken 26 shots this season, 18 of which have been on goal.

Final Season at Nebraska Soccer Field
The Huskers are in their 10th and final season at the Nebraska Soccer Field before moving into the Nebraska Soccer and Tennis Complex next season. Since moving to campus in 2005, NU has compiled a 66-26-12 record and has seven home games remaining in 2014.

2014 Season Outlook
Nebraska’s 2014 team includes five seniors in Head Coach John Walker’s 21st season at the helm of the school’s soccer program. The Huskers also welcomed back All-Big Ten second-team member Jaycie Johnson, who is a sophomore in 2014 after leading the team with 17 goals last season. The Huskers added 12 newcomers in the offseason in addition to their 12 returning letterwinners from 2013.

Huskers to Make Three BTN Appearances
Nebraska will appear on the Big Ten Network three times this season, while also making seven Big Ten Digital Network showings.

The Huskers open BTN’s 2014 soccer coverage this Thursday against Northwestern at the Nebraska Soccer Field. The game is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.

Nebraska will host Big Ten newcomer Maryland on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m., on BTN. The game was originally set for 1 p.m., but was changed for TV scheduling. NU’s final regular season appearance on the network comes at Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m.

Storm Fans Will Paint Ice To Color Out Cancer

Posted on September 10, 2014

KEARNEY, Neb. – In place of the annual ‘Pink In The Rink’ promotion which traditionally benefitted breast cancer awareness, the Tri-City Storm will host ‘Color Out Cancer’ night on Oct. 17 to support those who have been affected by cancer in Central Nebraska.

Color Out Cancer night will showcase a painted ice surface with memorials and well wishes from Storm fans.

The event will also kickoff the season’s Jerseys For A Cause Program, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska. Storm players will don specialty jerseys, which will be raffled off throughout the course of the season, with all proceeds benefitting various cancer funds throughout Central Nebraska.

“We’re very excited to have the Color Out Cancer promotion as part of our 15th Anniversary season,” said Dana Wright, the Storm’s Vice President of Marketing. “Our past Pink In The Rink promotions were great events to help benefit local charities and organizations. Color Out Cancer gives us a greater opportunity to engage with fans and let them be part of this special night.”

The Storm are encouraging all fans to take part in Paint The Ice Night, one day before the Color Out Cancer promotion on Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4-10 p.m. Fans are invited to join the team’s players and staff at the Viaero Event Center to write their contribution on the ice.

Fans who come out on Thursday night to paint the ice can buy tickets for the following night’s game, with a portion of their ticket sale being donated to the cancer fund of their choice.

Those unable to attend Paint The Ice night, can visit stormhockey.com to submit their memorial or well-wishes for the Storm’s players to write on the ice starting Oct. 1.

For more information on how you can get your organization to take part in this event, contact Alicia Korte at 308.338.8144 or alicia@stormhockey.com.

Single game tickets are now on sale for Color Out Cancer night and all other home games during the 2014-15 season. For more information, contact the Viaero Event Center Box Office at 308.338.8011 or visit stormhockey.com.

Nebraska Man Sentenced in Championship Ring Theft

Posted on September 10, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Lincoln man who pleaded no contest to stealing a Nebraska volleyball coach’s championship rings has been sentenced to 18 months to 3 years in prison.

29-year-old Dallas Jordan was sentenced Tuesday. He pleaded no contest in August to theft of University of Nebraska-Lincoln volleyball coach John Cook’s rings.

Police say Jordan in March took at least four Big 12 Championship rings and a national championship ring from an unlocked display case at the Devaney Sports Center. They say he sold two of the rings for $860 to an undercover officer in late March. Those are the only rings that have been recovered.

Jordan will receive credit for 165 days served at the Lancaster County Jail.

Former Nugget Billups tells Yahoo Sports He’s Retiring

Posted on September 10, 2014

DETROIT (AP) — Chauncey Billups tells Yahoo Sports he is retiring after 17 NBA seasons.

The 2004 NBA Finals MVP says his desire is still strong, but he can’t ignore the fact that he’s had a hard time staying healthy. The 37-year-old Billups has played only 61 games over the last three seasons.

Billups tells Yahoo on Tuesday: “It’s just time. I’m happy, excited. The game was very, very good to me.”

Billups played this past season for the Detroit Pistons after returning to the team he led to the 2004 title. He was the third pick in the 1997 draft by the Boston Celtics. He also played for Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, New York and the Los Angeles Clippers.