Sports Shorts

Alexander Weck

Women’s Tennis scorching opponents
Women’s tennis is off to an undefeated start, pushing through four dual victories relatively unchallenged. These include non-division conference wins over Monmouth and Knox. Newcomers Hanah McCarthy and Lisa Ritland have played important roles going undefeated in competition, both at top-four spots. McCarthy was named Midwest Conference Athlete of the Week last week for her accomplishments at No. 1 singles. Otherwise notable are sophomore Susan Klumpner’s undefeated record at No. 2 singles and the amazing play of LU doubles, having not dropped a match thus far. The ladies see their first division match at home Friday at 3:30 against Carroll.Cross Country showing poise
Both men’s and women’s cross country teams turned in solid performances at the Tom Barry Invitational hosted by St. Norbert on September 3rd. Despite running without their top returning racer of last year, the women finished solidly in second place, defeating all four conference competitors in the 13-team field. Sophomore Joy Manweiler paced the team with an impressive second-place finish. The men finished fourth out of the same field. Both squads are back in action this weekend at UW-Parkside.
Women’s Soccer defeats ripon
Two goals from freshman striker Jackie Bean comprised all of the scoring as LU defeated Ripon College at home last Thursday. For efforts in her first-ever collegiate shutout, sophomore goaltender Candice Gangl was awarded honors as the MWC Defensive Player of the Week. Overall the team is 1-2, having posted losses at UW-La Crosse and Loras College. The score of their home match with UW-Stevens Point became available after this issue went to press.

Inexperienced Men’s soccer remains winless
The revamped men’s soccer team has begun the season with two losses and a draw in non-conference play. Returning only a handful of starters from last year, the team will look to newcomers in hopes of returning to the MWC playoffs for the third straight year. The team was predicted to tie for fourth this season in the preseason coaches’ poll.

Volleyball starts 1-4
A 3-1 win over Edgewood College last Friday has been LU volleyball’s only triumph through its first portion of non-conference competition. Losses came at the hands of Hamline, UW-Eau Claire, St. Benedict, and UW-Stout. New head coach Lori Papineau aims to make improvements on the team’s 8-25 record of last year.

Football loses, set to continue oldest rivalry in WI
Despite comeback efforts late in the game, LU football fell to Knox 21-14 in its first action of the year. The team hopes to make improvements on last year’s 2-8 record under new coach Chris Howard. The team was ranked last by MWC coaches in the preseason poll. The Vikings continue the state’s oldest football rivalry this weekend on the road; Lawrence will battle Ripon for the 105th time on Saturday.