|
 After Aurora took an early 6-0, Millikin quickly regained the
advantage as Jowonis Edwards (Normal, Normal Community H.S.)
returned the Aurora kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-6
Big Blue.
The kickoff return was the first of several big plays by the
Millikin special teams. Millikin’s Jake Gates (Mattoon, H.S.)
blocked a punt on Aurora’s next possession setting up the Big Blue
offense at the Aurora six yard line. Millikin converted the
opportunity into a 27 yard Chayce Volpert (Chatham, Chatham Glenwood
H.S.) field goal to make it 10-6 Millikin.
The Millikin special teams would strike again earlier in the third
quarter when Demetreeus Loper (Indianapolis, Indiana, Lawrence
Central H.S.) blocked another Aurora punt and Travis Goveia (Downs,
Tri-Valley H.S.) recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown making
it 17-9 Big Blue.
The Millikin offense would put points on the board on its next
possession with quarterback Nick Pippin (Bourbonnais, Bradley
Bourbonnais H.S.) hitting tight end Kyle Leadlove (Belleville,
Belleville West H.S.) on an eight yard scoring strike.
The Millikin defense would join the scoring party at the end of
third quarter when linebacker Nikia Averitte (Indianapolis, Indiana,
Lawrence Central H.S.) scooped up an errant Spartan pitch and raced
15 yards for Millikin’s final score.
Pippin was 16-28 passing for 174 yards. Taylor Sanders (Marshall,
H.S.) was Millikin’s top receiver with five catches for 73 yards.
The Millikin defense had five players with seven tackles including
Edwards, Averitte, Mykal Neal (Broadview, Nazareth Academy), Andy
Roth (Naperville, Joliet Catholic H.S.) and Goveia. Edwards also had
three pass breakups. Roth had a fumble recovery and Mike Blakely
(St. Louis, Missouri, Hazelwood West H.S.) had an interception.
Millikin is now 2-1 on the season while Aurora goes to 0-3. The Big
Blue open up CCIW play on October 4 with a 6 p.m. kickoff at North
Central College in Naperville, Illinois.
Big Blue Volleyball Goes to 17-3
The 25th ranked Millikin volleyball team earned two more wins on
September 27 at the University of Chicago Invite to improve to 17-3
on the season.
Millikin knocked off Cornell College 3-1 (25-22, 25-12, 19-25,
27-25) in Saturday first match. Millikin had a balanced attack led
by freshman Erin Syversen (Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Waukesha West H.S.)
with 17 kills and 13 digs with a .516 hitting percentage. Senior
Audrey Krajec (West Salem, Edwards County H.S.) had 14 kills and a
team high 20 digs. Senior Jade Becker (Mt. Zion, H.S.) had 12 kills
and two blocks. Jenna Hilgers (Mason City, Illini Central H.S.) had
47 set assists.
Millikin then defeated the University of Chicago 3-2 (25-21, 21-25,
25-20, 17-25, 15-12) avenging an earlier season loss to the Maroons.
Krajec led Millikin with 18 kills and 24 digs. Syversen had 17 kills
and 14 digs. Christina Capuani (Addison, Addison Trail H.S.) had 16
digs and two aces. Hilgers had 47 set assists and 12 digs. Geena
Mancuso (Naperville, Waubonsie Valley H.S.) added 12 digs. Freshman
Alora Goodey (Lincoln, H.S.) had four service aces.
[to top of second column] |
Millikin picked up two wins on Friday in tournament action opening
play downing Kalamazoo College 3-0 (25-10, 25-22, 25-19). Krajec
continued her stellar senior season leading the Big Blue with 20
kills, 11 digs and three service aces. Krajec had a .444 attack
percentage. Hilgers had 31 set assists.
In the second match of the night, the Big Blue defeated
Concordia-Chicago 3-0 (25-13, 25-11, 25-18). Krajec again led the
way with 13 kills and .571 hitting percentage. Syversen had a team
high 11 digs and nine kills. Goodey had 10 kills with a .562 attack
percentage. Hilgers had 40 set assists.
Syversen, Becker and Krajec were all named to the 2014 University of
Chicago Gargoyle Classic All-Tournament Team.
Millikin will open CCIW action on Tuesday, September 30 at North
Park University in Chicago at 7 p.m.
Big Blue Men’s Soccer Wins Two Straight
The Millikin men’s soccer team won its second game in a row downing
Franklin College 3-1 at Frank M. Lindsay Field in Decatur on
September 27. The win moves the Big Blue to 4-4-1 on the season.
Millikin’s Alan Hernandez (Mokena, Lincoln Way East H.S.) tied the
game up 1-1 when he scored his first goal of the season. Kellin
Daniel (Waterloo, H.S.) scored the game winning goal ten minutes
into the second half on a pass from Matthew Briars (Palatine, Fremd
H.S.). Dylan Hottsmith (DeKalb, H.S.) sealed the Big Blue win when
he scored on the 79th minute. Hunter Somers (Heyworth, University
H.S.) got the assist on the goal.
The Big Blue outshot the Grizzlies 31-13. Daniel Sinclair (Peoria,
Richwoods H.S.) was strong in goal with 10 saves for Millikin.
Millikin scored a 2-1 road victory at Fontbonne University in St.
Louis, Missouri on September 24.
Millikin opened the scoring at the 25:41 mark in the first period
when Tucker Mathieson (Decatur, Warrensburg Latham H.S.) scored on a
header off a throw in from Nick Abel (Schaumburg, H.S.). Mathieson
made it 2-0 Big Blue in the 66th minute on an unassisted goal.
The Big Blue men will look to continue their win streak Wednesday,
October 1 when they host non-conference opponent Greenville College.
The game will be played under the lights of the newly renovated
Frank Lindsay Field at 7:30 p.m.
[Bryan Marshall, Millikin University] |
