October is a great month for athletics
Donald Smith
Sports Columnist
"Can you beat us?" This is the question the Metro fall programs are posing to the rest of the conference. The women's soccer team hasn't lost a game the entire month of October and the volleyball and men's soccer teams have only one loss each for the month.
Volleyball
(12-11 overall, 9-4 RMAC)
What a difference a month makes. During the month of September, this team looked dead, going 3-8 for the month, including a five-game stretch when they were shutout in five straight matches. But, like Halloween, where things rise from the dead, Metro's volleyball team pulled themselves out of the grave as they rode a six-game win streak prior to their loss to Northern Colorado on Tuesday. They are now looking to avenge their earlier loss to Regis on Oct. 23 and trying to sweep the season against Colorado Mines on Oct. 22.
No. 2 Women's Soccer
(14-1 overall, 9-0-0 RMAC)
Three games, no goals; man, playing the second best team in the nation that haven't had to retrieve a ball out of their own net in three matches has got to ruin your day. The Roadrunners are truly back to their '03 form, shutting out teams left and right, but also-dare I say it-they might be even ... better? Yes! Because unlike last season, where leading scorers Naomi Clarke and Amy Leichliter both had 42 points for the season, freshman Kylee Hanavan already has 42 points and, if Leichliter continues playing as well as she has, she'll top her last season total. Marina MacDonald and Ymara Guante have already topped their last season totals. All I can say is, if last season's team was great, this season's team is, at least statistically, better. If they keep on winning, they will host the regional tourney. If they win regionals, Metro will host the quarterfinals, and man, this team might be back in the Final Four--and could win it this time.
No. 24 Men's Soccer
(11-3-1 overall, 5-2-1 RMAC)
With four games remaining, Metro's conference and regional status is on the line in each game. This team has continued to win, but unlike last season when they were trying to win to make the regional tournament, they are playing to keep their regional status high. Fort Lewis looks like they will take the regular-season crown, so the 'Runners should look to repeat as conference tournament champions and make a huge point to the voting committees. Metro should be represented by their men's and women's teams in the regional tournament and nothing keeps goals alive better than a healthy win streak.
The 'Runners have postseason life in all three sports, but at least two teams (volleyball and men's soccer) have to fight to advance to the regional tournament. All three squads have had a fantastic October. If the volleyball team and both soccer teams continue to win, they could all have something to be thankful for come November. |
