Vol. 1 No. 10, Thursday, December 6, 2001 - PIRATE SPORTS ONLINE

Thursday, December 6, 2001
NATIONALLY RANKED OPPONENTS VENTURE TO PARKVILLE THIS WEEKEND
PARKVILLE, MO--All three basketball teams squaring off against Park University this weekend hold a national ranking in the latest NAIA poll.  On Friday, December 7, the Park University women (4-6) will face #16 Oklahoma Christian University (8-4)  at 5:00 p.m. in the Breckon Sports Center.  Park women's basketball has won its last two games and is undefeated (3-0) at home this season. 
     In men's basketball, Park University (9-4), winners of five straight, will host #18 Oklahoma Christian University (8-0) at 7:00 p.m.  The Eagles and coach Dan Hays have won eight in-a-row, but their closest game was their season opener when Park traveled to Oklahoma City on November 2.  In that game, OCU defeated Park in overtime, 86-79.  
    On Saturday, Park University men's basketball hosts the #17 McKendree College Bearcats (11-2) from Lebanon, Ill.  McKendree, coached by Harry Statham, one of the all-time winningest coaches in college basketball, won its seventh straight Wednesday night, beating Greenville College, 111-78.  Saturday's match between Park and McKendree will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. in the Breckon Sports Center. 

Wednesday, December 5, 2001
NAIA SOCCER ALL-AMERICANS INCLUDE FOUR PARK UNIVERSITY STUDENT-ATHLETES
PARKVILLE, MO-The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced men's and women's soccer All-Americans this week. Among those selected were four Park University student-athletes:

WOMEN'S SOCCER 
Jennifer Miller - NAIA All-American Third Team - Defender
A 5-10 junior from Independence, Mo., Miller played sweeper for the 2001 Park team that finished 15-3-0 while allowing just ten goals in 18 games. Miller graduated from Fort Osage High School in 1999. A three-year letterwinner at Park University, home of the NAIA's third-winningest women's soccer program, Miller has started in 46 games for the Pirates in three years. 

Pam Bedzrah - NAIA Honorable Mention All-American - Forward
For the second season, sophomore Pam Bedzrah was the leading goal-scorer for Park University's attacking offense. A forward from London, England, Bedzrah was featured as the NAIA Region V and NAIA National Player of the Week this season. In two seasons at Park, Bedzrah has scored 28 goals and accumulated 64 points. 

Jenni Visala - NAIA Honorable Mention All-American - Goalkeeper
Visala has been the starting goalkeeper at Park University for three seasons. In 2001, she allowed an average of .78 goals per game, just slightly better than her .80 GAA in 2000. Through three seasons, Visala has anchored Park's defense in a total of 19 shutouts. 

MEN'S SOCCER
Gorka Garcia - NAIA Honorable Mention All-American - Forward
A 6-0 sophomore from Hondarribia, Spain, Garcia led Park with 13 goals and four assists (30 points) this season. During the 2001 season, Garcia was named NAIA Region V Player of the Week; he recorded hat-tricks (three goals in one game) against Huron University and then-ranked Bellevue University. In two seasons at Park University, Garcia has scored 18 goals.

Tuesday, December 4, 2001
Women's Basketball Results
FOUR PIRATES REACH DOUBLE-FIGURES IN WIN AGAINST PERU STATE
PARKVILLE, MO--Park University (4-6) delivered a balanced scoring attack against the Peru State College Lady Bobcats (2-8), defeating the team from Nebraska, 66-52.  Tenysha Brown (13 points), Le'Nae Gilmore (12 points), Silya Siniawksi (12 points) and Dorothy Haughton (11 points) all scored in double-figures for Park.  Park's Muneerah Williams snatched eight rebounds despite fouling out with seven minutes remaining in the contest.  Peru State's Brooke Placke led the Lady Bobcats with 11 points.  
     Park University, trailing 32-27 at halftime, outscored Peru State 39-20 in the second half.  [BOX SCORE]

Monday, December 3, 2001
Men's Basketball Results
FIVE-IN-A-ROW: PARK TAKES OUT JEWELL FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT WIN, IMPROVES TO 9-4
PARKVILLE, MO--Park University (9-4) jumped out to an early lead, then cruised to a 83-58 win against local rival William Jewell College (6-4) Thursday night in Parkville.  It was Park's fifth consecutive win.  Park's 25-point margin of victory more than made up for the eight-point loss the Pirates suffered at William Jewell just three weeks ago.  Sparked by several steals and a Dan Durrer dunk, the Pirates had extended their lead to 19 points at 30-11 after just twelve minutes of play.  William Jewell managed to close the gap to 15 points in the second half.
    Park's Wendell Jones led all scorers with 24 points.  He also had five assists and four steals.  Marvin Cash added 18 points for Park; Kelly Kindall had 11 points.  Andrew Peters and Seth Schumacher had 13 points apiece for the Cardinals. [ BOX SCORE ]

For more information, visit the Park University Department of Athletic web site at www.park.edu/athletic.

Gold shadow indicates events held on the Park University campus.