Published: August 28, 2008 11:55 pm            

Sports briefs - 8/29

HOCKEY

Fresno signs ex-Chiefs goalie

The Fresno Falcons signed former record-breaking Johnstown Chiefs goaltender Ryan Nie on Wednesday, confirming what Johnstown coach Ian Herbers announced last week.

Nie broke the Chiefs’ all-time, single-season win record last season with 29. In his first year with Johnstown, Nie went 29-12-4 and was a two-time ECHL Goaltender of the Week.

“We are excited to get a goalie of Ryan’s caliber,” Fresno coach-GM Matt Thomas said. “He’s a goaltender who will give us a chance to win every single night.”

Nie finished last season with a flurry, posting shutouts in three of four games at the end of the regular season and through a first-round playoff sweep of Dayton.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about Fresno, and it seems to be a good fit for me,” said Nie, who was the UHL Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year while winning 20 games in 2006-07.



SOCCER

Lady Cats fall in season-opener

The Pitt-Johnstown women’s soccer team battled back from an early deficit to tie the score on Alicia Zack’s first-half goal in Thursday’s season opener, but California (Pa.) University answered with the game-winner in the 79th minute to earn a 2-1 victory in coach Jim Herlinger’s debut at the helm of the Lady Cat program.

The Vulcans jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Kristen Orret’s unassisted goal in the 10th minute, before Zack answered to knot the match off of Chrissy Burnsworth’s assist in the 37th minute. However, California’s Jodi McDonald dribbled through the Lady Cats, and beat freshman goalkeeper Aubrey Mauger with the gamewinner.

Mauger took the loss in her collegiate debut after replacing starter Stephanie Paha in the 73rd minute. Aubrey made three saves, while Paha made 10 saves before leaving the match.

The Vulcans, 1-0-0, held a 26-12 advantage in shots, and a 15-3 edge in shots on-goal.

The Lady Cats host Mercyhurst College on Monday at 2 p.m., and begin the WVIAC schedule at home against Salem International on Sept. 6 at 2 p.m.



BASEBALL

Lions hoopsters start in Toronto

STATE COLLEGE – Basketball season tips off early this year for Penn State.

The men’s basketball team plays will play four exhibition games in Toronto this weekend against Canadian colleges and universities. The slate starts with a doubleheader on Saturday, with single games on Sunday and Monday.

After the trip, the team breaks until the official NCAA start of basketball practice in mid-October.

Coach Ed DeChellis hopes the early action will give his squad a head start in trying to improve on last year’s 15-16 season.



FOOTBALL

Laurel Valley to honor 1978, 93 squads

The Laurel Valley Football Parents are currently looking for members of the 1978 and 1993 football squads to participate in an on-field ceremony on Sept. 13 when Laurel Valley hosts Purchase Line.

Members of the 1978 undefeated Appalachian Conference championship team will be honored before the game and the 1993 Appalachian Conference, District 6 Class A and Region III championship squad will be recognized at halftime.

All players, managers, coaches and trainers from both the junior high and varsity teams from those seasons are invited to attend.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Monday.

For more information, contact Jami Nanassy at jnn40@netzero.net or (724) 235-2746 or Mellissa Miller at mhcokmiller@comcast.net or (412) 527-9248.

        

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