D2 SPORTS NETWORK

D2 Football: Pittburg State Wins 2nd National Title

admin — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 01:17:07 +0000

Courtesy Pitt State Athletics

FLORENCE, Ala. — The slipper finally fits, again.

For the first time in 20 years, the Pittsburg State Gorillas returned to the pinnacle of NCAA Division II football.

A perennial power, Pitt State annually battled for supremacy in Division II but the last three chances the Gorillas had for national championships in Alabama came up painfully close but short in 1992, 1995 and 2004.

Saturday, Pitt State finished off a magical season with a 35-21 victory over Wayne (Mich.) State in the title game before a sea of crimson & gold clad fans with dominated the official crowd of 7,276 fans at Braly Municipal Stadium.

D2 Football: Jonas Randolph Wins Hill Trophy

admin — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:42:58 +0000

Courtesy Associated Press

FLORENCE, Ala. — Mars Hill College running back Jonas Randolph won the Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II’s top player Friday night, two days after celebrating the birth of his son.

Randolph received the award on the eve of the national championship game after leading all NCAA divisions with a 197-yard rushing average. He collected 120 points in balloting by Division II sports information directors for a three-point edge over Washburn (Kan.) University’ quarterback Dane Simoneau. It’s the slimmest winning margin in the award’s 26-year history.

D2 Volleyball: Concorda St. Paul Wins 5th Straight Title

admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:19:07 +0000

Courtesy CUGoldenBears.com

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - For the first time in the history of NCAA Division II women’s volleyball, Concordia University (34-2) captured a fifth consecutive NCAA Division II Championship by defeating top-ranked, previously unbeaten and tournament host California State University San Bernardino (32-1) in straight sets (25-20, 31-29, 25-18) on Saturday night at Coussoulis Arena. Concordia snapped CSUSB’s 66-match home winning streak in the process.

D2 Men’s Soccer: Fort Lewis Takes National Title

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:24:49 +0000

Courtesy GoSkyhawks.com

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Berekk Blackwell knocked home a header off Joey Madigan‘s corner kick 1:31 into in the first overtime to lift No. 3 Fort Lewis (24-1-0) to a 3-2 win over No. 20 Lynn (14-5-3) in the NCAA Division II men’s soccer championship game, securing the third national championship since 2005 for the Skyhawks.

The goal capped off a wild game in which Lynn outshot the Skyhawks 12-3 overall and controlled possession for much of the contest.

“I thought we knew it was going to be a tough game,” said third-year FLC head coach Oige Kennedy, who also guided the Skyhawks to the 2009 NCAA Division II crown. “It was all pretty even and to go behind and come back and put yourself in the lead, then fall back again, to come out and win it in the end is tremendous. I think we did a good job settling down and finding our rhythm. They came out and shut us down, but we adjusted and won a national championship.”

D2 Women’s Soccer: Saint Rose Stuns Defending Champs GVSU

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 01:30:54 +0000

Courtesy GoGoldenKnights.com

PENSACOLA, FL – National Champions!! It sure has a nice ring to it. It has even a sweeter ring when you come from behind, knock off the two-time defending national champions, and claim the first national team title in school annals after coming up just short in the national semifinals each of the past three seasons.

The College of Saint Rose did just that today. Sophomore forward Carmelina Puopoloscored twice in the opening 11 minutes of the second half and sophomore keeper Jessica Gerski made five saves and helped direct a defensive unit that kept the nation’s top-ranked team off the scoreboard for the final 58 minutes.

D2 Field Hockey – West Chester downs defending Champions UMass-Lowell

admin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:32:22 +0000

(Courtesy West Chester Athletics)

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Seniors Nicole Fiorilla and Brynn Adams each scored in the first half to lift West Chester to a 2-1 victory over UMass-Lowell in the 2011 NCAA Division II Field Hockey National Championship Game at the Sports Stadium in Bloomsburg, Pa., Sunday afternoon.

“We are thrilled to win the national championship,” WCU first-year head coach Amy Cohen said. “I’m kinda at a loss for words. The team knew how unique an opportunity this was.”

Fiorilla got the Golden Rams on the board first when she finished off a cross from teammate Kayla Gluchowski seven minutes into the contest. It was her 13th goal of the season, but her first since Oct. 11.

D2 Field Hockey: Merrimack gets inaugural post-season bid

admin — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:08:40 +0000

(Courtesy MerrimackAthletics.com)

NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The #4 Merrimack field hockey team has been selected to participate in its first-ever NCAA Tournament, in an announcement made by the NCAA Monday night. The Warriors received the top-seed in the North Region and will take on the winner of the quarterfinal matchup of UMass Lowell and American International in the semifinals hosted by Bloomsburg University November 11.

The Warriors own a 17-2 overall record this fall. Merrimack strung together 17-consecutive victories from September 4 to October 28.

Merrimack fell 3-2 to #5 UMass Lowell in the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament championship Monday evening at Martone-Mejail Field. The Warriors claimed their first-ever Northeast-10 Conference regular season crown with a perfect 10-0 record in league play.

D2 Basketball: Bellarmine tops Pre-Season Poll

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:50:51 +0000

(Courtesy Bellarmine Athletics)

LOUISVILLE, Ky.–The Division II Bulletin has ranked the Bellarmine University men’s basketball team as the preseason No. 1 team in the country, and the publication gave Braydon Hobbs and Jeremy Kendle preseason accolades as well.

Hobbs was named as the preseason Player of the Year in the conference and one of the “Super 16” DII Bulletin names to its list of top players in the nation (two players from each of the eight regions). Kendle was named as an honorable mention for the “Super 16.”

This marks the second publication to rank Bellarmine in the top spot nationally, as The Sporting News has already picked the Knights to repeat as national champions in 2011-12.

The GLVC and Midwest Region are well represented as regional foe Findlay checks in at No. 5, with conference opponents Southern Indiana (No. 13) and Kentucky Wesleyan (No. 20) also in the poll. Drury and Grand Valley State are among, “others to watch.”

Bellarmine will kick of their preseason schedule at Duke University on Oct. 29 in Durham, N.C., with the regular season opener at Knights Hall set for Nov. 12.

Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25
1. Bellarmine
2. Alabama-Huntsville
3. BYU-Hawaii
4. Missouri Southern State
5. Findlay
6. Lincoln Memorial
7. Tarleton State
8. Bowie State
9. Colorado Mines
10. St. Rose
11. Central Oklahoma
12. Alaska Anchorage
13. Southern Indiana
14. West Liberty
15. Queens
16. Indiana (PA)
17. Benedict
18. Georgia Southwestern
19. Metro State
20. Kentucky Wesleyan
21. Humboldt State
22. Augustana
23. C.W. Post
24. Seattle Pacific
25. Winona State

Others to watch: Anderson, Bloomfield State, Dixie State, Drury, Grand Valley State, Limestone, Minnesota State, Pitt-Johnstown, USC Aiken, Stonehill, Texas A&M International.

–Courtesy Bellarmine Athletics

D2 Football: # 2 Delta State beats #1 North Alabama in OT

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:25:13 +0000

(Courtesy DSU Athletics)

FLORENCE, Ala.– Electricity was in the air at Braly Municipal Stadium, as the No. 2 Statesmen took on top-ranked North Alabama Thursday night. The match-up did not disappoint as the two teams needed overtime to decide a winner. It was in overtime that the Statesmen found the end zone, and came away with the 30-24 win.

The game was a defensive chess match in a scoreless first quarter, as both teams traded punts. The Statesmen defense held strong throughout the quarter even stopping the Lion offense on fourth down.

Defense was still the name of the game as the second quarter got underway. After moving the ball past the 50 yard line, the Statesmen were held short on fourth down in the quarter’s first series.

North Alabama (6-1, 0-1 GSC) took advantage of their good field position, and subsequently took the lead . Quarterback Lee Chapple hit Mo Miliam for a 43-yard completion. That play set up a four yard touchdown run for Demetrious Goode. The run and the extra point that followed gave the Lions the 7-0 lead.

The Statesmen (7-1, 1-0 GSC) offense then came to life as they answered the Lion touchdown with one of their own. Senior Quarterback Micah Davis hit senior wide receiver Tim Smith for a 42-yard gain to get the drive going. Davis completed two more passes on the drive before junior Brandon Lucas found the end zone on a two yard run. The touchdown and point after tied the game up at 7-7.

The Lions would not be denied on their next drive as they retook the lead. Chapple completed all five of his passes the 52-yard drive. Goode capped the drive off with his second touchdown run of the game, a six yard scamper. The extra point gave the Lions the 14-7 advantage.

Down seven, the Statesmen drove down the field once again. Davis kept the drive alive with a two yard run on fourth and one. Just when the Statesmen seemed poised to tie the game up again, the Lion defense made a play. Bryan Thomas picked off a Davis pass on the goal line. The Lions then took a knee, as they went into the locker room with a 14-7 lead at the half.

The Lions started the second half with the ball. They marched down the field, but the Statesmen defense held tough, and forced North Alabama to kick a field goal. The 26-yard kick gave the Lions the 17-7 lead. The 14-play drive was the most plays on a scoring drive for the Lions this season.

The Statesmen were in need of offense on their next drive, and they came through with a 81-yard march to the end zone. A mix of runs and passes helped the Statesmen move the ball down the field. Davis found Smith once again on a completion, and Smith did the rest to get into the end zone. North Alabama’s Janoris Jenkins was flagged and ejected after the play. The extra point cut the Lions’ lead to three points at 17-14.

The Statesmen defense came out after the touchdown reenergized. Senior linebacker Robert Hogan came up big with a sack that helped end the North Alabama drive. The Statesmen then took over on offense, but could not convert a fourth and one which gave the ball back to the Lions.

The Lions took advantage of their defensive stop. The Lions went on a five play 52-yard drive capped off by 20 yard pass by Chapple to Miliam for a touchdown. The score put North Alabama up 24-14 early in the fourth quarter.

After the Statesmen were forced to punt, the Lions went back on the offensive. The Statesmen defense put a stop to that by forcing a turnover. Senior lineman Anthony Daniels picked off Chapple. The Statesmen took full advantage by marching down the field. A seven play 35-yard drive was capped off by Davis running the ball into the end zone. The score cut the UNA lead back down to three at 24-21 with 4:24 to go in regulation.

The ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Lions. The Statesmen defense answered the call once again, as they forced the Lions to punt with two minutes on the clock. The punt was a good one for the Lions, as they pinned the Statesmen on their own one yard line.

The stuff of legends occurred on the next Statesmen drive. Davis and the offense engineered a 13-play, 99-yard drive to tie the game up. Senior kicker Matt Dean tied the game up with a 27-yard field goal, which sent the game into overtime.

The Lions had the ball first in the overtime period. The Lions started to march down the field, but were stymied by the Statesmen defense. Nathen O’Jibway then missed a 31-yard field goal. That meant the Statesmen took over with the game still tied.

The Statesmen offense made sure that they didn’t have to settle for a field goal try. Junior running back Brant Botill ran to the end zone from the four yard line. The score gave the Statesmen the 30-24 victory in spectacular fashion.

Davis finished the game 29-for-41 for 339 yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown. The Statesmen finished the game with 512 yards of offense compared to 345 yards for UNA. The Statesmen were flagged for 11 penalties for 104 yards. The Lions were called for seven penalties for 75 yards.

The Statesmen look to keep their momentum going, as they will most likely be named the new No 1 team in the country. They will return home to take on Valdosta State on Oct. 22. The game will get underway at 3:00 p.m., and pre game will begin at 2:00 p.m.

–Courtesy DSU Athletics

D2 Football: #1 North Alabama vs. #2 Delta State

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:24:28 +0000

(Courtesy GSC)

The top-ranked University of North Alabama Lions will take on the second-ranked and GSC rival Delta State Statesmen Thursday night at Braly Stadium in Florence, Alabama, home of the NCAA Division II National Championship Game.

From the AFCA:

The Top 10 remained relatively unchanged, but losses to five Top 25 teams this past weekend caused a shakeup in the bottom half of the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. North Alabama still sits at No. 1, receiving 28 of a possible 29 first place votes, after the Lions handed Arkansas Tech a 44-10 loss. Delta State (Miss.) and Bloomsburg (Pa.) flip-flop positions this week with the Statesmen moving to No. 2 after a 34-20 win over Arkansas-Monticello. Bloomsburg (Pa.) is No. 3 this week after moving its record to 6-0 following a 45-10 victory over Cheyney (Pa.). No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney and No. 5 Washburn (Kan.) round out the Top 5.

Losses to Albany St. (Ga.), Shepherd (W.Va.), Central Missouri, Hillsdale (Mich.) and Edinboro (Pa.), made room for five new teams to enter the Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. West Virginia Wesleyan is 6-0 on the season and comes in at No. 21 after a 45-44 overtime victory over then-No. 14 Shepherd (W.Va.). No. 22 West Alabama enters the poll for the first time this season after a 38-10 win over Southern Arkansas, while Bemidji State (Minn.) re-enters the poll at No. 23 after a two-week layoff. Wayne State (Neb.) enters at No. 24 for the first time this season while No. 25 Mars Hill (N.C.) enters the AFCA Top 25 for the first time since September 25, 2007.