Category: Sports

Saints fans can now access a new Saints mobile app

OLLU_launchRotatorImageOur Lady of the Lake University Saints Athletics announced the release of a free mobile iOS application for the iPad and iPhone. The release follows the launch of the Saints’ brand-new web site last month.

The app can be downloaded at no cost on the iTunes app store here.

Designed for the community to stay connected on the go, the app acts as a mobile host to information provided on the athletics website, www.OLLUSaintsAthletics.com, and the athletics’ social media channels, including www.facebook.com/OLLUSaintsAthletics, www.twitter.com/OLLUSaints, www.youtube.com/OLLUSaints, Instragram: OLLUniversity_Saints and Vine: OLLUniversity_Saints.

The app, created by the athletics’ website-hosting company — SIDhelp – was officially released after Apple, Inc. approved the final version for the iTunes store in October.

The new app will allow Saints Athletics to provide fans and the OLLU community instant and insightful access to all athletics information. With the app, users can read the latest headlines and game recaps, access student-athlete and staff bios, view team schedules, get connected through the various department social media channels, and even watch or listen to live events when a Wi-Fi connection is available.

Softball team hosts Round Robin

The Saints get set for their game against the Challengers.
The Saints get set for their game against the Challengers.

The softball team hosted its second round robin of the fall on Saturday. Participants included the local club team, the Challengers, Southwestern Assemblies of God University and Schreiner University. The Saints opened up the tournament at 9:30 a.m. with a scrimmage against the Challengers. They returned to the field at 11 a.m. to face SAGU. At 12 p.m., SAGU played Schreiner, and at 2 p.m., Schreiner played the Challengers. OLLU played the last game of the afternoon at 5 p.m. against Schreiner. No scores were taken. Read more online.

Alumni and tennis teams hosted mixer last Friday

Summer Almanza and Leslie Cooper have fun with a young participant during the mixer.
Summer Almanza and Leslie Cooper have fun with a young participant during the mixer.

The Office of Alumni Relations and the Saints tennis teams hosted their annual Fall Tennis Mixer last Friday. More than 30 children and alumni gathered at the tennis courts to get free tips from the members of the men’s and women’s teams. Afterward, participants enjoyed pizza and camaraderie.

Men’s soccer ends home season with a tie against Wiley

The seniors are pictured with their families before the game.
The seniors are pictured with their families before the game.

Despite outshooting Wiley College 23-4, the men’s soccer team tied the Wildcats 1-1 on Saturday afternoon. Earlier this week, the Saints made their debut in the NAIA Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Top 25 Poll at No. 20. Prior to the beginning of the game, the Saints honored seniors Luis Flores, Yared Temesgen, Martin Hansson, Osiris Estrada and Salim Sandoval. Each received a bouquet of flowers from Head Coach Shane Hurley and Assistant Coach Arthur Salazar, and another set of flowers from OLLU’s Office of Family Relations. In addition, the men received a photo montage depicting each year they played on the soccer team. Flores played all four years for the Saints. Temesgen joined the team in 2009 but had to sit out a year due to injury, so he was actually a member of the Saints for five years. Sandoval also joined the team in 2009, but last year, he was injured. He was hoping to play this season, but his injury was too severe. And, both Estrada and Hansson joined the team last season.

Women’s soccer honors seniors and defeats Wiley 4-0 in last home game of the season

The seniors are pictured with the rest of the team before the game.
The seniors are pictured with the rest of the team before the game.

After beating Wiley College on Saturday afternoon, the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) women’s soccer team has clinched at least a share of the Red River Athletic Conference regular season title. The 4-0 win moves the Saints to 5-0 in the conference and 13-2-1 overall, while Wiley drops to 0-4 and 0-13 overall. Earlier this week, the Saints made their debut in the NAIA Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Top 25 Poll at No. 21. This is the first time ever that the Saints have been ranked in the poll. In previous weeks, the team has received up to 10 votes. Prior to the beginning of the game, seniors Alyssa Mora, Emily Backus, Cindy Lima-Caceres, Brianna Otis, Victoria Vazquez and Chelsea Flores were honored. Each received a bouquet of flowers from Head Coach Shane Hurley and Assistant Coach Arthur Salazar, and another set of flowers from OLLU’s Office of Family Relations. In addition, the women received a photo montage depicting each year they played on the soccer team. Mora joined the team as a sophomore, while Flores played in 2011 and this season. Backus, Lima-Caceres, Otis and Vazquez each played four years for the Saints. 

The Saints took about 12 minutes to put the first point on the board after Stephanie Diaz took a pass from Amaris Tavares. The ball deflected off the Wiley keeper for the goal.

Jonathan Yanez finishes in ninth place out of 111 runners in UIW meet

Jonathan Yanez broke a school record during the meet.
Jonathan Yanez broke a school record during the meet.

Freshman runner Jonathan Yanez erased the old school record of the 8000 meter (8K) when the OLLU men’s cross country participated in the Eighth Annual University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals Invitational held Saturday morning at the Live Oak City Park in San Antonio. The meet was hosted by the NCAA Division I UIW Cross-Country program and featured 15 universities representing NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and the NAIA. The total number of participants was 111 runners. Read more online.

OLLU men’s soccer defeats No. 6-ranked Brownsville 2-0

Marcelo Chapa helped keep the Brownsville team scoreless.
Marcelo Chapa helped keep the Brownsville team scoreless.

The men’s soccer team controlled the No. 6 team in the NAIA — University of Texas at Brownsville for most of the competition and delivered the Ocelots their first loss in the Red River Athletic Conference. The 2-0 win moves the Saints to 3-1 in the conference and 10-2 overall, and the Ocelots drop to 3-1 and 10-2 overall. The two teams, along with the University of St. Thomas (2-0/6-2-2), are tied for second place and one game behind league leader Huston-Tillotson University (4-0/5-4-2). Graduate Assistant Coach Gary Hamilton said, “The team got the job done. It’s always good getting a win against Brownsville because they are our biggest rival and they always have quality teams.” Read more online.

OLLU women’s soccer stuns No. 15-ranked Brownsville with 1-0 win

Stephania Vazquez led her team in shooting with five, three on goal.
Stephania Vazquez led her team in shooting with five, three on goal.

The women’s soccer team stunned the No. 15 team in the NAIA University of Texas at Brownsville by a score of 1-0 last Thursday. The win keeps the Saints undefeated in the Red River Athletic Conference with a 4-0 record and 12-1-1 overall. Brownsville, which previously was tied with the Saints for first place, has dropped to third place with a 3-1 conference and 8-3 overall record. Huston-Tillotson University (3-0-1/4-4-2) is ½ a game behind the No. 1 Saints. OLLU keeper freshman Gabriela Lopez recorded four saves, while Brownsville’s starting keeper Maria Eriksen recorded one and allowed the one goal. Second-half keeper Amanda Fulton finished with four saves for the Ocelots. Read more online.

Boxing legend Jesse James Leija helps OLLU men’s basketball close out preseason

World Boxing Champion Jesse James Leija poses with the men’s basketball team.
World Boxing Champion Jesse James Leija poses with the men’s basketball team.

The men’s basketball finished its preseason Oct. 4, with a boxing session held by San Antonio boxing legend Jesse James Leija at his ChampionFit Gym. This was the fifth time that the men’s basketball team ended its preseason at Leija’s gym located on San Pedro Avenue in San Antonio. Head Coach Russell Vanlandingham started the tradition five years ago, when he was introduced to Leija by Roy Terracina, chairman of the Board of Trustees of OLLU. Terracina himself has been working out with the two-time world boxing champ for more than 20 years. Terracina worked out alongside the players Friday morning. Vanlandingham hopes that the workout can make his team tougher and play with a different mentality. “Boxing makes you develop a mentality and toughness that we could use,” explained Vanlandingham, “It is also important for the guys to meet a guy like the champ who got the most out of his abilities.” Read more online.