By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com
College Football: Wesleyan Falls in Home Opener:
In a driving rainstorm, the Iowa Wesleyan football team struggled to find offensive consistency as Westminster defeated the Tigers 20-13 in Week 2 of the abbreviated UMAC season.
Westminster led 17-0 midway through the third quarter, before Dimitree Duncan’s blocked punt set the Tigers up with great field position. Just three plays later, Wesleyan was in the end-zone with a Hezekiah Hunter three yard touchdown plunge.
Trailing 20-6 at the 5:00 mark of the fourth quarter former New London standout Austin McBeth forced a fumble which was recovered and scored by Jaheem Hampton to cut the lead to 20-13.
Wesleyan however, would not see the ball again.
The Tigers forced a Blue Jay punt with :30 seconds left — and no timeouts — but Hampton muffed the kick and the loose ball was recovered by Westminster.
The loss falls Wesleyan to 0-2, Westminster improved to 2-0.
Wesleyan will be back at Bracewell Stadium this Saturday when they welcome in Greenville University.
Kick is set for 1:00 p.m.
You can listen on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.
Girls’ Golf: Booton, Panthers at Muscatine:
Following a second place finish last week in a preview of the Southeast Conference meet, the Mount Pleasant girls’ golf team will travel to Geneva Golf and Country Club in Muscatine for a triangular this afternoon.
There, Mount Pleasant will lock horns with Burlington and Muscatine High School.
Ryann Davidson was the top finisher in the Panthers’ last meet, while Elli Liechty earned a medalist finish in Mount Pleasant’s opener last week.
Today’s event will begin at 1:00 p.m.
Boys’ Tennis: Mount Pleasant Hooks Up with Fairfield, Ottumwa:
Back at it Southeast Conference action, the Mount Pleasant boys’ tennis team will take on Fairfield — as well as Ottumwa — tonight in a pseudo conference triangular.
The Panthers, 1-3, are looking to get back into the win column for the first time since beating Davis County back on April 1st.
Since then, they’ve fallen to Keokuk (6-3) and Fort Madison (5-4).
This afternoon’s match will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Fairfield Middle School.
Girls’ Soccer: Panthers Lock Horns with Fairfield:
For the first time in a week, the Mount Pleasant girls’ soccer team is back on their home pitch today when they lock horns with Fairfield.
Mount Pleasant is coming off a 9-0 win last week over Columbus, one in which they had a hat trick of hat tricks.
Three players scored three goals: Elly Manning, Anna Ostby and Andrea Lopreato provided all the offense necessary, while Andi Scott kept a clean sheet between the pipes recording two saves.
This afternoon’s fixture will begin at 4:30 p.m. at East Lake Park.
Girls’ Tennis: Panthers Look to Get Hot Against Fairfield:
The Mount Pleasant girls’ tennis team will look to get into the win column today, but it won’t be easy as they take on the undefeated Fairfield Trojans.
The Trojans have lost just three matches this year, beating Fort Madison (9-0), Burlington (7-2) and Ottumwa (8-1).
Mount Pleasant was swept by Davis County and Keokuk to begin their season.
This afternoon’s dual will begin at 4:30 p.m. at East Lake Park.
Boys’ Soccer: Mount Pleasant Looking to Rebound:
Following a 10-0 loss this weekend to Fort Madison, the Mount Pleasant boys’ soccer team will look to right the ship when they take on Fairfield in a Southeast Conference tilt.
Mount Pleasant picked up their first win late last week over Keokuk — at home — 1-0, before falling to Fort Madison Saturday morning at Baxter Sports Complex.
Fairfield enters play tonight 2-0 after earning wins against Pella and Burlington.
This afternoon’s fixture will begin at 5:00 p.m. at Fairfield High School.