NEWLY RANKED BERRY MEN EARN WIN AT REINHARDT

The new NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division III national poll was released Tuesday, and the Berry College men —who were not previously ranked — broke into the poll at No. 17 in this week’s rankings.

The Vikings celebrated their new ranking with a 3-1 win at Reinhardt Universityon Tuesday.

Ben Ortman tallied twice to lead the Vikings, who improved to 7-0. Berry has posted four shutouts this season and has outscored its opposition 16-3 overall.

Kyle Fitting scored a header off a corner kick to put Berry ahead, 1-0, in the ninth minute.

The Vikings added a second goal on a counter-attack in the 39th minute. Ortman was credited with the score off assists from Caleb Lucas and goalkeeper Logan Hill.

On the scoring play, Hill made one of his seven saves and then threw an outlet pass to Lucas, who found Ortman for a breakaway.

In the 44th minute, Angel Adame scored for the Eagles. Adame found open space inside the box and fired a shot past Hill, halving Berry’s lead, 2-1.

In the 59th minute, Ortman got his second goal. He headed a free kick off the crossbar past goalkeeper Matt Amis (five saves) to give Berry the 3-1 lead.

Berry out-shot the Eagles, 15-14. Both teams managed eight shots on goal. The Eagles earned seven corner kicks to three for Berry.

The Vikings improved to 7-0 on the season; Reinhardt, an NAIA team, dropped to 2-5-2.

Berry travels to play at Washington & Jefferson (Penn.) this Saturday.

FULBRIGHT HONORED

The Southern Athletic Association announced the men’s soccer Players of the Week for games played September 10-16. Berry’s Christian Fulbright won the offensive award.

Fulbright scored two overtime game-winners this week. The Vikings beat Covenant at home 1-0 in double OT. He then scored again against Emory on Saturday in the 2-1 OT win for Berry. His timely scoring propelled him to the SAA Offensive Player of the Week honors.

GEORGIA NORTHWESTERN

VOLLEYBALL

Alysa Daniel led Georgia Northwestern with nine kills in the Lady Cats’ loss to Covenant College Monday night at The R.A.C., Rossville Athletic Complex.

Georgia Northwestern fell by scores of 20-25, 25-17, 14-25, 18-25.

“These six young women have to play a different style of game than they were previously used to,” said GNTC head coach Carrie Powell. “This team has to multi-task.” In what could be described as a rebuilding year, Kristine Huskey is the Lady Cats’ (1-4) tallest player at five-foot-seven. Alysa Daniel is 5-1.

“We have some leapers with some big arms,” said Powell. “We are finding ways to pull out games here and there against much bigger competition. It’s preparing us really well for colleges on our level.”

Georgia Northwestern competes in the N JCAA’s Region XVII. The Lady Cats (1-4) will host Bryan College at The R.A.C. next Monday at 5:30 p.m.

SHORTER VOLLEYBALL

In the first home match in the Winthrop-King Centre for 2012 the Lady Hawks got back on their winning ways with a quick dispatching of visiting Piedmont, 3-0.

Shorter (7-1, 1-1 Gulf South) came out aggressive and sent the Lady Lions home in a match that was slightly over an hour. The match was played on the same day the NCCAA released their newest standings that show the Lady Hawks at the top of the list as the No. 1 team in the Burbridge Power Rating.

Jasmine Crook added 16 kills on the evening to bring her season total to 115 through eight matches. Jordan Corder recorded 36 assists and 12 digs. Both were team highs.

The attack game was strong for Shorter as the team hit .284 for the match that included Crook (.444) and Anna Graham (.333) as the leaders of the team.

Megan Pepe served up five aces, while Piedmont was only able to tally two as a team.

When asked about the crowd, head coach Jon Moseley had the following… “The crowd was awesome. The level of support we receive from the student body and the energy they provide amazes us.”

With the news on being the No. 1 team in the NCCAA… “Everyone is contributing and the success has come from being a true team and a testament to our depth. We feel honored to be involved with the National Christian College Athletic Association as it is a great fit for us as we have many Christian leaders on our roster.”

Next up, West Alabama (8-3, 2-1 Gulf South) will come to town on Friday for a 7 pm start time on the court of the Winthrop-King Centre.

MURRAY EARNS AWARD

Georgia’s Aaron Murray was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works team on Tuesday, one of 11 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players nationwide honored for their outstanding community service record. Murray, a 6-1, quarterback from Tampa, Fla., is the Bulldogs’ nation-leading 14th Good Works Team honoree since the award’s inception in 1992.

“This is an unbelievable honor,” Murray said. “Coach Richt really stresses giving back to the community, especially here in Athens. It’s such a great community that gives all our University of Georgia teams amazing support. It’s always great to give back with trips to camps we visit in the summer, hospitals throughout the year or other organizations that make a difference.”