Game 7’s are what sports fans live for. It’s the best and worst thing in all of sports if you’re a fan of either team participating in game 7. The anxiety can only be matched if you’re in a literal survival mode scenario as if you’re being chased by a grizzly bear in the middle of the woods with no way out. I’m not kidding, my resting heart rate during game 2 of this series was 118 BPM. Game 7 heart rate is still to be determined. Game 7 is the best and the worst thing about being a sports fan and game 7 between the Stars and Avalanche was the epitome of game 7.
I had anxiety about this game starting Thursday night as soon as the first empty net goal went in for Colorado. As a fan of the Dallas Stars, it was always going to go to game 7 in this first round matchup, it was destiny. Game 7 is the best and the worst thing about being a sports fan.
First Period Thoughts
The biggest difference in the games that the Stars have one this series is not letting in the super early goal within the first ten minutes and not coming out on their heels. Game 7 started off better than all three of their losses so far, and they even got on the power play just a few minutes into the game.
I thought there was a chance that the Stars would blow the roof off of American Airlines Center during that power play, but it was fairly passive. Passes didn’t connect in high danger areas, and Colorado played a beautiful PK.
Before the ten minute mark, Jamie Benn high sticked Val Nichushkin in the crease where the Stars had several high danger opportunities during the shift. Huge blow and it ended up being a double minor. A massive no-no from the Captain in a game 7.
However, the Stars were the best PK in the league (until the last five games or so of the season) for a reason. Clinical clears and amazing saves from Jake Oettinger kept the game scoreless after four minutes of man advantage for Colorado.
The rest of the period was exactly what I feel like most game 7’s are like. It was near impossible to get into either offensive zone, and there weren’t really any high danger scoring chances from either team. The game wasn’t sloppy by any means, it was just a great job by both teams not allowing the other to get into their comfort zone.
Mikael Granlund ended up with a subpar shot on goal later in the period that hit off of Mackenzie Blackwood’s shoulder and rattled off the post. It was not a high danger chance, but the post makes it seem like it was. Granny has been sneaky for the Stars since being acquired back in the earlier part of the year, and he showed why he’s so sneaky during that play.
The rest of the period went by without much going on in the offensive zone, and the teams went to the locker room still knotted where they were to begin the game. 0-0.
Second Period Thoughts
The second period was a doozy. The first period there were hardly any chances, and the second remained the same.
The Stars were on the power play with just around ten minutes remaining in the period. Thomas Harley was sent a puck at the blue line to continue the cycle but the pass wasn’t good enough and Logon O’Connor was able to sweep the puck down the boards and get passed Harley. Disaster struck for the Stars as the Avs went up 1-0 on a shorthanded goal.
I was distraught at this point because the Avs scoring the first goal was a huge blow to the team, but it was a shorty. A shorthanded goal is a recipe for something terrible to come the rest of the game. Luckily neither team hit the score sheet for the remainder of the period.
Third Period Thoughts
Here’s where things go from bad to worse for the Dallas Stars. Just seconds into the period, Nichushkin gets interfered with and Colorado pulled the goalie for the six on five advantage. If the Stars touch up, they go to the penalty kill, if they don’t, well, let’s just say awful things happen.
Nathan Mackinnon netted his seventh goal of the series with the six on five advantage and beat Oettinger sort of like Wyatt Johnston beat Blackwood in the opening seconds of game five.
The crowd was all the way out of it and you couldn’t even hear groans. Just dead silence. The worst was yet to come as the Avs got a power play with just under ten minutes to go in the game, and it seemed like literally all hope was lost.
Luckily for the Stars, they traded for this fella Mikko Rantanen, who just so happened to play for the Colorado Avalanche a mere few months ago. With about 12 minutes remaining in the game, Mikko got a pass from Oskar Bäck at the point and he sent that puck straight bar down. A thing of absolute beauty, and the Stars were just one more goal away from evening the game in a game 7.
Mikko has been exceptional throughout the series, but starting in game five he’s been the best player for either side. We’re not done with Mikko talk just yet.
Several minutes had passed and Stars fans were anxious. The crowd was still in the game, but getting a tad bit more worried as the Stars power play couldn’t get anything near the net, let alone get a clean entry into the offensive zone.
At this point everyone in the press box had noticed that Mikko was double and sometimes even triple shifting with every line the Stars put on the ice. The motor on Mikko never seemed to give out in the third period.
With 30 seconds or so on the power play left, Mikko took the puck into the zone with three Avs players right on him. He skated behind the net and tried a wraparound shot. Puck luck is created and earned, not given. The puck bounced off an Avs skate and directly into the net and my ears are still ringing from that crowd pop.
Again, puck luck is created and earned, not given. The Stars go on ANOTHER power play just a couple of minutes later, and this one didn’t take much time off the clock at all. Mikko (again) sends a pass to Matt Duchene, Dutchy fired the puck across the crease to a wide open Wyatt Johnston, and Mr. Game 7 himself earned himself the lead.
The pass was super hot coming from Dutchy, and Wyatt handled it with poise and composure as he found the open net, and American Airlines Center was electric.
Obviously, with just under four minutes left in the game, there is plenty of time for the Avs to get the tying goal. They pulled their goalie with a little under two minutes left in the game, and all cheeks were clenched from there until just under three seconds left in the game.
We’re not done with Mikko Rantanen. He gets the puck and skates it into the open net for a hat trick in game 7 against his former team. Stories like this in sports are incapable of being scripted better than that. Four points in game 7, 12 points in the series, and a whole lot of moose was shown in that game.
It was an incredible game for theatrics and storylines, but that series is officially in the past. The Stars move onto the second round to face off against either Winnipeg Jets or St. Louis Blues for a chance at a third straight Western Conference Finals trip.
This team is incredibly deep, and they don’t have their best defenseman or one of their top goal scorers in Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson. The fact that they were able to get past this super deep Colorado Avalanche team without them gives me all the warm and fuzzies for the rest of this playoff run. Stars win. Play that song.
Game 7 is the best and the worst thing about being a sports fan, and luckily for Dallas Stars fans, it was the best night we’ve had in a long time.
In terms of first impressions, it’s hard to make a better one on the collegiate track and field scene than Hillsdale College freshman Anna Roessner.
Roessner has been awarded the G-MAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week award, the conference office announced on Monday afternoon, after a stunning debut performance at the GVSU Holiday Open. It’s the first G-MAC track and field award to be handed out this season.
All Roessner did in her first-ever collegiate race, a 60 meter dash prelim, was obliterate the old Hillsdale school record of 7.58 held jointly by Kajsa Johansson and Lucy Minning by over two-tenths of a second, and also break the G-MAC record of 7.41 held by past All-Americans Kya Epps of Walsh and Jordan Taylor of Findlay. Her time of 7.36 is currently the fastest time in the nation in NCAA Division II, in the top 10 collegiately regardless of division, and would have placed fourth in the nation at last year’s NCAA DII Indoor Championships.
Roessner proved her time wasn’t a fluke in the final, running a 7.41 to take first in the event, and also ran a solid 200 meter dash, placing third with a respectable opening time of 24.81. Her 60 meter time gives her an excellent chance to be selected for the 2026 NCAA DII Indoor Championships in March at Virginia Beach, and she’ll have plenty of time to try and improve on it throughout the rest of the spring, with several meets in January and February and a very competitive sprint conference in the G-MAC to race against.
The Chargers will next be in action on Jan. 16, coming back from Christmas Break to compete in the Al Campbell Invite hosted by the University of Akron.
By: Steve Carlson, Assistant AD for Communications
VERMILLION, S.D. — The story continues for the 2025 South Dakota football team, adventuring to the state of Montana for the second-straight FCS Playoffs as they head to Missoula, Montana to battle the No. 3-seeded Montana Grizzlies on Saturday, December 13 in the FCS Quarterfinals from Washington-Grizzly Stadium led by the new South Dakota career passing leader Aidan Bouman.
The game will televisted on ABC with Roy Philpott (PxP), Sam Acho (analyst), and Taylor Davis (sideline) on the call for the 2025 FCS Quarterfinals. You can listen to the voice of the Coyotes John Thayer on the Coyote Sports Network beginning at 1:30 p.m. (CT) for the pre-game show with former Coyote Gary Culver joining Thayer for the call at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
FCS QUARTERFINALS | No. 11-seed SOUTH DAKOTA (10-4, 6-2 MVFC) at No. 3-seed MONTANA (12-1, 7-1 Big Sky)
ABC – Roy Philpott (PxP), Sam Acho (Analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline)
Radio
Coyote Sports Network (John Thayer, Gary Culver) [KVHT 106.3 FM]
Live Stats
NCAA
Game Notes
South Dakota | Montana | MVFC | College Pressbox
Digital Program
NCAA Program
Social Media
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YOTES IN THE FCS PLAYOFFS
South Dakota makes their fifth trip to the FCS Playoffs this season (2017, 2021, 2023-25) and third-straight trip.
It’s the first trip for head coach Travis Johansen in his first season as head coach, though he’s been a part of four total trips now as defensive coordinator and/or head coach.
Six of the 10 total FCS Playoff games for South Dakota have been played in the DakotaDome, while Saturday’s game at Montana will be the fifth road FCS Playoff game.
The Yotes are set to clash with what’s proven to be the most frequent conference in the FCS Playoff with their fourth meeting against a Big Sky school in the playoffs.
QB Aidan Bouman is just one of two USD QBs to play in multiple FCS Playoff games (Streveler, 2017). He’s the only QB to throw for 1,000+ yards in the playoffs.
South Dakota is undefeated in FCS Playoff games when they score first (4-0), lead at halftime (5-0), force 3+ takeaways (4-0), and/or holds the ball for 30+ minutes of game action (3-0).
KEY STORYLINES
South Dakota and Montana are set to meet for the 21st time in program history on Saturday with the first-ever meeting in the FCS Playoffs.
This season South Dakota is 7-2 when scoring first, 7-0 when leading at halftime, 7-1 when not committing a turnover, 5-0 with a rusher over 150+ yards in the game, and 5-0 with a receiver having 100+ yards in the game.
The Yotes are 4-2 against top-25 FCS opponents this season with all four wins coming in the months of November and December.
USD had a stretch of not committing a turnover in six-straight games did not commit a turnover in six of the eight MVFC games this season. It’s now eight games this season without a turnover, following the Mercer game (Dec. 6).
PACING THE FCS:L.J. Phillips Jr.LEADS the FCS net rushing yards (1,847), fourth in carries (279), fourth in rushing yards per game (131.9), T7th in rushing touchdowns (18), and sixth in yards per carry (6.62).
Phillips Jr. has climbed the top-10 single-season all-time list for rushing yards, sitting SECOND entering heading to Missoula. He needs 115 yards to set a new single-season program record.
Phillips Jr. became the 12th Coyote – and third in the Division I FCS era – to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a single season against Northern Iowa (Oct. 18).
Aidan Bouman holds a 32-13 (45 games) record as the starting quarterback at South Dakota and has thrown a touchdown pass in 12 of the 14 games this season with a new season – and career-high five touchdowns in the regular season finale at Southern Illinois.
After the Mercer game, Bouman is now the South Dakota career passing yards leader (9,047) and SECOND all-time in career passing touchdowns (66).
Bouman has now thrown 11 touchdown passes in the last three games.
With 11 100-yard rushing games this season (nine from Phillips Jr., two from Fletcher), South Dakota now has had 78 100-yard rushing games in the Division I FCS era with Phillips Jr.’s 301 yards against Northern Colorado being the Division I single-game record.
Walsh (at Lamar), Roman Tillmon (vs. UNC), Nate Ewell (at NDSU; at UNI; vs. UND; at SIU; vs. Drake) are the only three Yotes with 10+ tackles in a game this season with Tillmon (14) now holding the season high.
Mikey Munn has been on a tear at cornerback with a career-high two interceptions (x2; vs. Drake, Sept 20; at Mercer, Dec. 6) and leads the team with ten (10) pass-break ups on the season.
South Dakota has won 20 of their last 24 MVFC games dating back to the 2023 season.
South Dakota is in their 130th season of college football and with their 31st head coach in program history.
Last week, head coach Travis Johansen became the first coach to win double-digit games in their first season as head coach at South Dakota.
South Dakota holds an all-time program record of 590-568-35 entering Saturday. In the Division I FCS era, South Dakota has won 96 games (96-108).
MONTANA GRIZZLIES
Led by Bobby Hauck in his 14th full season in Missoula, he picked up his 150th win leading the Griz with the 50-29 win over South Dakota State last weekend in the Second Round.
Montana won their first 11 games of the season before dropping a top-5 clash to in-state rival Montana State to end the regular season and finished with a 11-1 record.
Earning the No. 3 national seed, the Griz had a First Round bye before a dominant win over SDSU last time out.
The Griz are 2-0 against MVFC teams this season – both games in Missoula – defeating SDSU and North Dakota (24-23 back in September).
QB Keali’I Ah Yat has thrown for over 3,500 passing yards this season with 29 touchdowns to help the Griz to their 12-1 mark. He leads an offense that boasts a top-10 FCS passing offense (286.6 yards per game) and top-5 total offense (466.1 yards per game).
The defense, however, has struggled to stop opponents’ passing attacks. The Griz sit 115th of 126 FCS programs, allowing 263.6 passing yards per game.
SERIES HISTORY
South Dakota and Montana have met 20 previous times, with Montana leading the all-time series, 14-6.
Montana has won eight-straight games in the series with South Dakota never defeating the Griz since going Division I (0-5).
In Missoula, the Griz lead the series 11-3 with the last South Dakota win coming in Montana back in 1965.
It marks the fourth Big Sky opponent for South Dakota in the FCS Playoffs (USD, 2-1).
Stay up to date with all things Coyotes by following South Dakota Athletics on Facebook /SDCoyotes, X (Twitter) @SDCoyotes, and Instagram @sdcoyotes! #GoYotes x #WeAreSouthDakota
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daimoni Dorsey of B-CU Women’s Basketball and Sha’Nard Walker of B-CU Track & Field have been named Wildcats of the Week for the week of December 1-7, 2025.
Daimoni Dorsey put together an offensive masterclass in an HBCU Invitational victory over Livingstone College. The senior guard scored a career-high 24 points on an efficient 9-for-15 performance from the field, including four makes on six attempts from three-point range. She also added two rebounds, two assists, and a season-high four steals.
Sha’Nard Walker set an event record in the 300m to highlight the start of indoor season, Saturday at the Birmingham Indoor Icebreaker at the Birmingham Crossplex. Walker finished first in the 300m with an event-record 33.56.
Each week, The Bethune-Cookman Office of Athletic Communications recognizes one male and one female student-athlete through the Wildcats of the Week award.
This award recognizes student-athletes who have excelled in competition, in the classroom, and in the community over the past week, exemplifying the Championship Culture of Wildcat Athletics.
2025-26 Wildcats of the Week
December 1-7
W: Daimoni Doresey, Women’s Basketball
M: Sha’Nard Walker, Track & Field
November 24-30
W: Chanelle McDonald, Women’s Basketball
M: Jakobi Heady, Men’s Basketball
November 17-23
W: Jordan Brooks, Women’s Basketball
M: Timmy McClain, Football
November 10-16
W: Shayla Henry, Volleyball
M: Javon Ross, Football
November 3-9
W: Madison Molock, Tennis
M: Arterio Morris, Men’s Basketball
October 27-November 2
W: Amya Jennings, Volleyball
M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country
October 20-26
W: Sthefany Carvalho, Volleyball
M: Jaylen Lewis, Football
October 13-19
W: Melissa Gonzalez, Volleyball
M: N/A (No Men’s Competition this Week)
October 6-12
W: Valencia Butler, Cross Country
M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country
September 29-October 5
W: Amya Jennings, Volleyball
M: Ali Scott Jr., Football
September 22-28
W: Sierra Herndon, Volleyball
M: Javon Ross, Football
September 15-21
W: Zahara El-Zein
M: Maleek Huggins, Football
September 8-14
W: Nola Hemphill, Volleyball
M: Cam’Ron Ransom, Football
September 1-7
W: Reese Wilson, Women’s Golf
M: Stephen Sparrow Jr., Football
August 25 – 31
W: Kaleigh Williams, Volleyball
M: Andrew Kiplagat, Cross Country
For all the latest Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Facebook (Bethune-Cookman Athletics), X (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUAthletics.com.
HONOLULU – Season tickets for the 2026 University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball season go on sale Monday, December 8. Season tickets may be purchased online at www.etickethawaii.com or at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center box office (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.).
The season ticket package includes 17 home matches for 15 dates. UH will open the season with an eight-match homestand beginning with a pair of two-match series against NJIT, Jan. 2 & 4 and Loyola Chicago, Jan. 8 & 9.
Hawai’i will then host start-up programs Roberts Wesleyan and Rockhurst in consecutive double-headers, Jan. 14 and 16. Match times are 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. each day. Only one ticket will be distributed per day and will be good for both matches. The 11:00 a.m. match will be considered general admission.
Following a 55-day layoff between home matches, UH will host Pepperdine, March 4 & 6, before the OUTRIGGER Invitational, which is considered one of the nation’s premiere in-season tournaments. This year’s field is headlined by nine-time tourney champion UCLA of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in addition to Lewis of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, and Mount Olive of Conference Carolinas. The tournament runs March 12-14 with two matches each day.
Hawai’i then begins Big West play and will host UC Santa Barbara, March 27 & 28 and CSUN, April 17 & 18.
Single game tickets go on sale Friday, 12/19 at 9am
Landry Haberichter always thought he would play baseball when it came time to head off to college.
That was before the Notre Dame High School senior fell in love with track and field.
Haberichter, a two-time state placewinner in the 100-meter dash for West Burlington-Notre Dame, made his decision Saturday when he verbally committed to run track next year at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.
When push came to shove, Haberichter followed his heart, and passion.
“I am really looking forward to it. Ever since I started to run track in junior high, I’ve loved it,” said Haberichter, who is an all-state outfielder for the Nikes’ baseball team. “My love for track just kept growing with Coach (Corey) Lamm. I love baseball, too. I kept asking myself what do I still love, track or baseball? What do I want to do for the next four years, play baseball or run track? That was my thought process.”
Haberichter finished second in Class 2A in the 100-meter dash as a sophomore, running 11.16 seconds in the finals. He also ran on the Falcons’ 4×100 relay team which was 19th overall in 44.31.
Haberichter came back last year in Class 3A and finished third in the 100 in 10.70 and helped the Falcons finish 20th in the 4×100 in 43.90.
Haberichter decided not to play his senior year of football after playing quarterback for West Burlington-Notre Dame his junior year.
Instead, Haberichter has been focusing on his track training.
“I started running after baseball season because I still wasn’t sure what I was going to do,” Haberichter said. “I was doing lifts for track and baseball. I was running when school started. I was going over to West Burlington or Burlington and running. I lift at either Notre Dame or West Burlington or go to the YMCA. They have a new indoor training facility at Dankwardt Park for the Mudd Dawgs. As an alumni of the Mudd Dawgs, I am using that to train this winter.”
Now that his decision has been made, Haberichter said he is focusing on track in the spring and wants to make one last run at the state tournament in baseball next summer.
“It’s kind of crazy to think about. I love baseball. I grew up around baseball,” Haberichter said. “This will be my last time playing baseball. I’m going to play with all my heart and do my best to help our team get to state. It’s going to be sad when it’s over.”
Indian Hills, coached by Brent Ewing, finished fourth at the NJCAA Outdoor Nationals last spring.
The Warriors were in the spotlight over the summer as former Indian Hills great Kenny Bednarek took silver in the men’s 200-meter dash at the World Championships in Tokyo. Indian Hills alum Tyrice Taylor advanced to the semifinals in the 800.
“I will be ready to compete for Indian Hills,” Haberichter said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun running track this spring. I really want to go get that gold medal this year.”
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Lauren Herseth, the Associate Head Volleyball Coach for Central Washington University, has been named the next Head Coach of the Wildcat program following the transition of current Head Coach Mario Andaya into the Deputy Athletics Director position, CWU Director of Athletics Dennis Francois announced on Monday.
“It has been a pleasure to see Lauren grow and develop over her time as a student-athlete and coach at Central,” Francois said. “Playing for and then working with Mario over the past six seasons, Lauren has learned from the best and has played a key role in the continued success of the program. I am extremely excited for Lauren, and I am confident that she will continue to evolve and grow as she takes the first chair as the leader of Wildcat Volleyball.”
Herseth congratulated Andaya on his new position in the Administration of CWU Athletics.
“Mario isn’t just a game changer, he’s a life changer, and I’m excited for his impact to span beyond our program,” Herseth said. “Our department is lucky to have him in this new capacity, and I’m excited for other coaches, staff, and admin to experience his leadership.”
Herseth’s collegiate volleyball career began at Central, competing for the Wildcats from 2011-2014. During her four-year playing career for the Crimson and Black, Herseth helped the program reach three NCAA appearances and finished ranked in the top ten in program history for both sets and matches played. A team captain, she was also a three-time GNAC All-Academic selection while majoring in Physical Education and School Health. Herseth was heavily involved in CWU Athletics, serving three years as SAAC President, and also competed on the Wildcats’ Women’s Basketball team during the 2013–2014 season.
After graduating, Herseth began her teaching and coaching career in Olympia, Washington. She joined the Saint Martin’s University Volleyball staff from 2016–2018, helping guide the Saints to their winningest season in program history in 2017. Her tenure also produced three All-Conference selections—Becky Mitchell (2017), as well as Megan Vernoy and Rachel Gondrezick (2018)—the first time SMU had multiple All-Conference honorees in a single season.
Following her time at SMU, Herseth returned to her high school alma mater, Olympia High School, in 2019, assisting longtime head coach Laurie Creighton in her 41st season with the Bears.
In February 2020, Herseth resigned from teaching to return to her collegiate alma mater, joining the CWU coaching staff. Since her arrival, the Wildcats have reached the NCAA West Regionals every year, including back-to-back regional semifinal appearances in 2021 and 2022. After the 2023 season, Herseth was promoted to Associate Head Volleyball Coach.
The 2024 season marked the Wildcats’ best campaign since 2005, finishing 18-7 overall and 16-2 in GNAC play, securing the program’s first GNAC title in 19 years. CWU advanced to its 12th-straight NCAA Tournament. The ‘Cats followed that up this season by going 18-7 overall, with a 14-4 conference record that saw CWU claim its second consecutive title and fourth total, as the Wildcats finished the season in a four-way split for the GNAC regular season title. Central went on to defeat Simon Fraser 3-2 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before narrowly falling to Fresno Pacific 2-3 in the regional semifinals.
Herseth is excited to begin the transition into the head coaching role and reflected on her time serving with Coach Andaya the past six seasons.
“Coaching alongside Mario has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, and our program will continue to do great things because of what he built over the last 30 years,” Herseth said. “I am honored to be stepping into this new role, with an extremely fun and talented roster, and I can’t thank Dennis and Mario enough for investing in and preparing me for this moment. I love this program, and I am committed to carrying on the legacy of CWU Volleyball.”
Herseth will begin her new position effectively on Dec. 16, 2025.
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