NDSU Athletics to Release Additional Tickets for Dakota Marker Game

FARGO, N.D.--North Dakota State University athletics today announced an additional block of 400 seats will be available for the Dakota Marker game Saturday, Nov. 1 against rival South Dakota State University beginning 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

The unclaimed student tickets will be general admission seating in rows AA and above in the south end zone above the students in sections 10, 11 and 12. Tickets are $18 adult/$10 youth and will go on sale at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

Fans can purchase these tickets online at www.GoBison.com/tickets, by calling 231-NDSU (6378), or in person at the Bison Ticket Office in the East Lobby of the Fargodome, 1800 University Dr. N.

Any additional standing room tickets and visiting team returns will also become available at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

Kickoff between the Bison and Jackrabbits is scheduled for 2:37 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at Gate City Bank Field in the Fargodome.

UMC Women’s Basketball Season Preview

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball team opened up practice earlier in October in preparations for the 2014-15 season. The Golden Eagles are led by Mike Roysland, who is entering his eighth season as the head coach for UMC.

The Golden Eagles went 10-17 (7-15 NSIC) during the 2013-14 campaign and will look to improve on that mark during the 2014-15 season. UMC will be led by All-NSIC Second Team pick Katrina Moenkedick (Jr., F, 5-10, Perham, Minn./Early Childhood Education), who averaged 15.3 points and 7.5 rebounds as a sophomore. In addition to Moenkedick, Alexa Thielman (Jr., G, 5-8, Buffalo, Minn./Health Science) will look to follow up a breakout sophomore season. Thielman averaged 15.2 points and 4.4 rebounds last season and shot 46.0 percent from beyond the arc.

UMC also returns starters Ebony Livingston (Sr., G/F, 5-9, Minneapolis, Minn./Sports and Rec Management) and Ashley Martell (Sr., G, 5-8, Somerset, Wis./Health Science). Livingston averaged 7.1 points and 3.2 rebounds as a junior, while Martell averaged 4.3 points and shot 40.2 percent from beyond the arc. Erika McRoberts (Jr., F/C, 5-11, Byron, Minn./Health Science) also returns after starting 21 games last season after averaging 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds. McRoberts is currently battling back from an injury.

In addition, the Golden Eagles return key bench players in Christine Thorn (Jr., G, 5-6, St. Michael, Minn./Elementary Education) and Megan Taylor (So., F/C, 6-2, Estelline, S.D./Animal Science). Thorn averaged 5.4 points and shot 33.3 percent from beyond the arc last season, while Taylor averaged 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game. In addition, Kenzie Church (Sr., F, 5-10, Fairmount, N.D./Management) returns for UMC. Church has battled through injuries each of the last two seasons and will look to make an impact as a senior.

While the Golden Eagles return a good core, they are also looking forward to the impact that their newcomers can make this season. Two main positions where newcomers should make an impact are at point guard and center. The Golden Eagles bring in Maria Loughlin (Jr., G, 5-7, Rogers, Minn./Health Science) and Micaela Noga (Fr., G, 5-7, Parkers Prairie, Minn.) are currently battling for the point guard position. At center, Isieoma Odor (Fr., F/C, 6-0, Bloomington, Minn./Health Science) and Emily Gruber (Fr., F/C, 5-11, Monticello, Minn.) should battle with Taylor for playing time at center, allowing Moenkedick to move to her more natural position of power forward.

In addition, UMC has freshmen Dawn Leland (Fr., G/F, 6-1, Merrill, Wis./Natural Resources) and Gabby Smith (Fr., G/F, 5-10, Bloomington, Minn./Education), who will add depth on the wing.
The Golden Eagle coaching staff for the 2014-15 season is rounded out by long-time assistant coach Nate Mahlen, who is in his seventh season, and Kamille Wahlin, who is in her second season, as an assistant.

Minnesota Crookston will play one exhibition game Nov. 9 against University of North Dakota at 2 p.m. in Grand Forks, N.D. The Golden Eagles will then play in the MSU Moorhead Tournament Nov. 14 and 15. The Golden Eagles will take on Northern Michigan University at 8 p.m.  Nov. 14 and University of Wisconsin-Parkside Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will then head to Honolulu, Hawai’i for a pair of games. UMC will take on University of Hawai’i-Hilo Nov. 22 and Hawai’i Pacific University Nov. 23.

UMC will open up their conference slate Nov. 29 on the road against Bemidji State University. The Golden Eagles will then host University of Minnesota Duluth Dec. 5 and St. Cloud State University Dec. 6.

UMC will then hit the road to face Wayne State College Dec. 12 and Augustana College Dec. 13, before returning home to face BSU Dec. 19.

The Golden Eagles will open up the New Year of 2015 as they take on University of Mary Jan. 2 and Minot State University Jan. 3 at home.

UMC will hit the road to face St. Cloud State University Jan. 9 and University of Minnesota Duluth Jan. 10.

The Golden Eagles will take on Concordia University, St. Paul at home Jan. 16 and Minnesota State University, Mankato Jan. 17.

UMC will then hit the road for a four-game stand, playing MSU Moorhead Jan. 23 and Northern State University Jan. 24. The Golden Eagles will then take on Upper Iowa University Jan. 30 and Winona State University Jan. 31.

The Golden Eagles will return home to face University of Sioux Falls Feb. 6 and Southwest Minnesota State University Feb. 7..

UMC will take their final road trip of the year Feb. 13 and 14 as they take on Minot State University and University of Mary.

The Golden Eagles’ final home stand of the year will take place Feb. 20 and 21 as they host Northern State and MSU Moorhead.


For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

No tricks, just treats

Can you believe Halloween is already this Friday??

All of us at R&J Broadcasting, Inc. hope you have a fun and safe Halloween of trick-or-treating!  Or for some, safe travels as you head out to Crookston to watch your team perform in the Section championship game at the University of Minnesota - Crookston.

Congratulations to one of our area teams, the Fosston Greyhounds on earning the 2014 Section 8A East Championship trophy and medals on Tuesday evening in Bagley! 

The Greyhounds will take to the court at 7:00pm on Friday evening, October 31st - better known to many as Halloween for a chance at another treat ... a trip to the Class A State tournament.  Their opponent will be no slouch, as the Kittson County Central Bearcats weathered the Stephen/Argyle Storm following the Greyhound victory, also at Bagley High School Tuesday evening, to come away with the Section 8A West title.

Tune in for coverage on QCountry 96.7 FM KKCQ & online at www.rjbroadcasting.com as the voice you know and love, Tom Lano will provide the entertaining broadcast coverage from Lysacker Gymnasium on Friday evening with the Thunder Seed pregame show beginning at 6:30pm! 

Also a congratulations to the Ada/Borup Cougars on their victory over Fertile/Beltrami in the Section 6A Semifinal at Hawley High School Tuesday evening, as they will take to the court for the North Sub-Section Championship on Thursday evening, October 30th against the New York Mills Eagles for a chance to head back and defend their title Saturday evening for the Section 6A Championship, also at the Hawley High School.

Fertile/Beltrami & Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal both had fantastic seasons, too, and we at R&J Broadcasting, Inc. salute their players, coaches and communities for providing us more exciting volleyball in 2014!

Stay tuned with R&J Sports as we take to the field, inside at the Fargodome (the only indoor games for playoffs this year) as the Section Championships begin Thursday afternoon!  

Check out all of the area schedules, scores, stats, summaries and coaches comments on our website www.rjbroadcasting.com in the Sports Schedule & Scores section! 

We thank all of our sponsors for helping make our broadcasts possible - it truly would not happen if we didn't have you on board, getting your name out there to our many listeners to hear your business message.  

We are YOUR sports channels!

NDSU’s Keller Named CFPA Placekicker of the Week

CHARLESTON, S.C. - North Dakota State kicker Adam Keller was named FCS National Placekicker of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Keller, a senior from Lewisberry, Pa., scored 17 points in No. 1-ranked North Dakota State’s 47-7 win at South Dakota converting five PAT kicks and connecting on four field goals from 23, 21, 49 and 23 yards.

He has the sixth longest streak in MVFC history with 88 consecutive PAT kicks made and ranks second in NDSU history in career PATs (162-168).

Keller moved into second in NDSU history for single-season field goals (17) and career field goals (44).  He ranks second nationally this year in field goals per game (2.13) and ninth in points per game (10.0).  He is third among FCS active players in career field goals made (44) and points per game (7.7).

North Dakota State (8-0, 4-0 MVFC) hosts South Dakota State (5-3, 2-2 MVFC) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in the annual Dakota Marker game at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

TICKETS FOR 2015 NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S ICE HOCKEY REGIONALS GO ON SALE

 INDIANAPOLIS---Tickets for all four sites of the 2015 Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Regionals go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 28. The West regional will go on sale at 11 a.m. local time, while the other three regionals will go on sale at 10 a.m. local time. The tickets, being sold as three-game packages, may be purchased online at www.NCAA.com/FrozenFour or through each venue’s ticket office.

                The Northeast Regional at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H., (hosted by the University of New Hampshire) and the West Regional at Scheels Arena in Fargo, N.D., (hosted by the University of North Dakota) will be held March 27-28. One regional will have start times of 2 and 5:30 p.m. Eastern, March 27 with a regional final game time of 5:30 p.m. Eastern, March 28. The start times for the other regional will be 4:30 and 8 p.m. Eastern, March 27, while the regional final is scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern, March 28.

                The East Regional at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., (hosted by Brown University) and the Midwest Regional at the Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Ind., (hosted by the University of Notre Dame) will be played March 28-29. Game times for one regional will be 3 and 6:30 p.m. Eastern, March 28, with the regional final being played at 5 p.m. Eastern, March 29. The other regional will play at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Eastern, March 28, with the regional championship at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, March 29.

If any of the aforementioned host institutions are selected to participate in the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, they will be assigned to their host site. The times and ESPN platform for each regional will be announced on the selection show, which will air Noon Eastern, March 22 on ESPNU. Times and ESPN networks for all regional contests are subject to change.

North Dakota climbs to No. 2 in USA Today national poll

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Following a non-conference win and tie against fifth-ranked Providence, the University of North Dakota improved to No. 2 in this week’s USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, while remaining No. 3 in the USCHO.com poll.

UND defeated the Friars 6-1 on Friday before skating to a 2-2 overtime tie on Saturday. It marks the third consecutive week in the No. 2 spot for UND in the USCHO poll. Top-ranked Minnesota held on to the top spot in both polls. Defending NCAA champion Union stayed at No. 2 in the USCHO poll while switching spots with UND in the USA Today poll.

UND (4-1-1, 2-0-0 NCHC) will conclude a 5-game non-conference stretch on Saturday when it hosts Air Force in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The puck drops at 7:37 p.m. Central.

USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll

Rk.      School (First place votes)       Record           Pts.         PR

1.         Minnesota (50)                                  4-0-0          1000            1

2.         Union                                                 5-1-0            901            2

3.         North Dakota                                4-1-1           900            3

4.         Colgate                                              5-1-0            870            4

5.         Boston College                                 3-1-0            788            6

6.         Boston University                             3-0-0            637          12

7.         St. Cloud State                                  2-2-0            628            9

8.         Massachusetts-Lowell                      3-1-1            601            7

9.         Providence                                         1-2-1            587            5

10.       Miami                                                 4-2-0            503          10

11.       Denver                                               3-1-0            422          11

12.       Minnesota State                                4-2-0            404          13

13.       Vermont                                             4-0-0            352          17

14.       Ferris State                                        2-3-0            338            8

15.       Michigan                                            2-3-0            285          14

16.       Alaska                                                5-1-0            254          16

17.       Michigan Tech                                    4-0-0            218         NR

18.       Cornell                                               0-0-0            137          18

19.       Minnesota Duluth                              3-3-0            128          19

20.       Notre Dame                                       4-2-0              80         NR

Others receiving votes: Robert Morris 79, Omaha 76, Bowling Green 65, Quinnipiac 59, Northern Michigan 56, Alaska Anchorage 34, Merrimac 33, New Hampshire 20, Ohio State 15, St. Lawrence 9, Dartmouth 8, Harvard 6, Yale 3, Mercyhurst 2, Bentley 1, Penn State 1.

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll

Rk.      School (1^st place)                      Record           Pts.         PR

1.         Minnesota (33)                                  4-0-0            509            1

2.         North Dakota                                4-1-1           446            3

3.         Union (1)                                            5-1-0            429            2

4.         Colgate                                              5-1-0            421            4

5.         Boston College                                 3-1-0            374            6

6.         Boston University                             3-0-0            295          11

7.         St. Cloud State                                  2-2-0            294            9

8.         Providence                                         1-2-1            254            5

9.         Massachusetts-Lowell                      3-1-1            218            8

10.       Miami                                                 4-2-0            187          10

11.       Denver                                               3-1-0            142          13

12.       Minnesota State                                4-2-0            134          12

13.       Michigan                                            2-3-0              89          14

14.       Vermont                                             4-0-0              86         NR

15.       Ferris State                                        2-3-0              60            7

Others receiving votes: Michigan Tech 29, Alaska 23, Notre Dame 23, Cornell 22, Robert Morris 13, New Hampshire 7, Quinnipiac 7, Ohio State 6, Omaha 6, Minnesota Duluth 5, Bowling Green 2, Northern Michigan 2, St. Lawrence 1.

Sophomore defenseman Stecher claims NCHC weekly honor

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota sophomore defenseman Troy Stecher has been named National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defenseman of the Week after his four-point series against Providence last weekend.

Stecher collected two assists in each game against the fifth-ranked Friars, helping lead UND to a 6-1 win on Friday and a 2-2 overtime tie on Saturday. In Friday’s win, Stecher assisted on even-strength goals by Michael Parks and Bryn Chyzyk while blocking one shot and tying for the team lead with a plus-2 rating. He assisted on both UND goals on Saturday, blocked a team-leading three shots and was a plus-1.

Stecher, a native of Richmond, British Columbia, also keyed a UND penalty killing unit that went 8-for-8 on Friday and 14-for-15 on the weekend.

In six games this season, Stecher is tied for the team lead in assists (6) and plus/minus (plus-4). His six points rank second among NCHC defensemen behind only teammate and classmate Paul LaDue, who has three goals and four assists.

UND’s NCHC Players of the Week
Oct. 20:   Mark MacMillan (Offensive)
               Paul LaDue (Defenseman)

Oct. 27:   Troy Stecher (Defenseman)