Hockey team split series with No. 8 Iowa State

The No. 23 Arizona hockey team upset No. 8 Iowa State on Friday in Ames, Iowa, beating the Cyclones 3-2 in shootouts. However, Iowa State adjusted the next night, winning 4-2 to split the weekend series with Arizona.

“I am very confident in our team right now,” forward Jeff Wadhams said. “I think we are surprising a lot of the nation.”

The Wildcats weekend began a little rough, falling down 0-1 Friday after an early goal by Iowa State. The Wildcats answered with a goal by forward Michael Ferreira in the second period, and then forward Andrew Murmes gave Arizona the lead on a power play goal less than six minutes later. The Cyclones were able to rebound though, tying the game with the third period. Then, after a scoreless overtime period, the game was sent to shootouts. Sophomore goalkeeper Steven Sisler, making his season debut, stonewalled Iowa State, stopping all three penalty shots. Captain Brian Slugocki converted the only shootout goal, giving Arizona all it needed for the upset 3-2 victory.

“Shootouts are always pretty nerve-wracking,” Sisler said, who made his first start of the season. “I used the pressure to my advantage, and made the saves I needed to and Slugocki scored the game winner.”

Sisler was one of two goalkeepers this weekend, as junior David Herman, who started the first five games this season, got the nod on Saturday.

And Saturday’s game began eerily similar for the Wildcats, as Iowa State again scored before the halfway mark in the first period. However, this time the Cyclones were able to notch another one, scoring a power play goal just eight seconds before buzzer in the opening period. The trend of power play goals continued for Iowa State as they scored another with six minutes left in the second period, giving them a 3-0 lead.

“We took a couple ill-advised penalties and they capitalized on them,” head coach Sean Hogan said after the game.

The Wildcats were able to score a late power play goal of their own when defenseman Jonathan Watanabe put the puck in the net with just 47 seconds left in the second period. Yet, Iowa State answered quickly with another Power Play goal just a minute into the third. And while forward Eric Watters did score less than two minutes later, too much damage was already done and Arizona fell 4-2.

“We just played an average hockey game against a team that is a very good hockey team,” Hogan said.

— Kyle Johnson

Swimming Continues Early Season Dominance Against UNLV

In the Arizona women’s swimming team’s first meet against Kansas last weekend, the Wildcats only lost one meet.

And against UNLV Friday at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center, the Rebels were only able to steal two races from the men’s and women’s swimming team, continuing the Wildcats’ early season domination.

Arizona had four swimmers win multiple races, including Ashley Evans in the 1000-yard freestyle and the 200y butterfly. Captain Alyssa Anderson won the 200y freestyle and 400y individual medley.

The bright spot of the meet for the Wildcats was the relay teams, where the team dominated. Senior Austen Thompson said that’s all part of the plan.

“I’d love to see the times get faster and for us to keep improving, but the times that we’re posting right now in the relays have to be some of the best in the country,” Thompson said. “They’re only going to get better as the season goes on.”

Many of the men’s races were excruciatingly close, with the men’s 200y free ending in a tie, and the women’s 50y free being decided by just 0.52 seconds. Despite being able to pull out wins, assistant coach Tracy Duchac said Arizona has room to improve.

“We did well today, but we need to improve on our relay exchanges, speed and turns,” she said.

Anderson was proud of how her women’s team competed.

“I think our morale is there, our energy, enthusiasm are all there,” Anderson said. “The technique stuff and really starts and other mechanical things can be improved on.”

Up next, the Wildcats face head coach Eric Hansen’s former team, the Wisconsin Badgers on November 4th at home. Before then, it’s back to the drawing board.

“I think we can really gain some time just working on the little things, and that will come, especially when we get more rest and out of the weight room,” Thompson said. “Those things will just come with time.”

— Cameron Moon

Determined men’s tennis wins consolation titles

It was a fight to the finish for the Arizona tennis teams, this weekend as both the men’s and women’s team competed in the ITA Regional Championships. The men’s team walked away with two consolation championship titles in Las Vegas while the women’s team fell just short in San Diego.

“The guys showed a very gritty effort,” said men’s head coach Tad Berkowitz. “After losing their matches in main play, they brushed it off and came back focused knowing there was still another title to win.”

In Las Vegas, freshman Carlos Bermudez and sophomore Mario Urquidi clinched the consolation doubles championship after a close match that ended in a tie breaking score of 9-8.

In singles play Bermudez and sophomore Giacomo Miccini advanced to the consolation championship finals. Tomorrow they will battle on their home court to determine who takes the title.

Meanwhile in San Diego, the women’s team fell short of clinching singles and doubles titles.

“We competed against top schools like USC and UCLA,” said head coach Vicky Maes. “We proved to them that we are going to be tough competition come the spring season.”

Senior Natasha Marks advanced to the semifinals of the regionals only to fall short of a chance at the championship title with scores of 3-6, 6-7.

Marks teamed up with sophomore Lacey Smyth to play doubles. All looked well for this power duo until Smyth withdrew from the tournament because of an injury.

“Her injury was very unfortunate,” Maes said. “We expect her back at practice this week. She is a tough kid and will fight through this injury.”

— Iman Hamdan