California University's Terrence Johnson was named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week after leading the 11th-ranked Vulcans to a 38-12 football victory Saturday at 18th-ranked Indiana.
Johnson, a sophomore and Woodland Hills graduate, had two interceptions in the game, both in the fourth quarter. Johnson grabbed his first interception on the first play of the fourth quarter with Cal leading 10-6 and returned it 13 yards to the IUP 38-yard line. Cal scored what proved to be the game-winning points on the next play.
Johnson added insurance about a minute later when he returned his second interception 47 yards for his first career touchdown.
Vulcans ranked No. 1 in Northeast Region
The undefeated California University football team, ranked 11th in NCAA Division II by the American Football Coaches Association and D2Football.com, is ranked No. 1 in the Northeast Region in the initial official rankings of the season released Monday night.
It is believed to be the first time in team history Cal has been ranked No. 1 in the regional football poll.
The Vulcans are 6-0 after a 38-12 PSAC West triumph Saturday at arch-rival Indiana, which is ranked No. 3 in the region.
Girls soccer
Peters Township celebrated Senior Recognition Night in a big way and moved within three matches of a second-straight undefeated regular season following a 13-0 victory over West Mifflin in a Section 5-AAA match Monday.
Mackenzie Creehan paced the Indians (12-0-0, 17-0-0) with four goals. Ali Forbrich and Megan Hahn each added two goals.
Players with one goal were Maggie Soeffel, Gina Seguiti, Danielle Castillo, Lauren Ray and Hannah Weyrick. Seguiti added three assists, while Maura Lacey and Rachel Thomas each had two assists.
n Taylor Schram scored twice, including an unassisted goal in overtime, to lift Canon-McMillan defeated Ringgold, 2-1, in a Section 5-AAA match.
Schram's game-winner came after she stole the ball from a Ringgold defender, dribbled past a couple more and lofted a shot inside the far post. Brianna Sharkady assisted on Schram's first goal and Emily Ellis made eight saves for the Big Macs (9-3-0, 13-3-0).
Brittany Bowen scored for the Rams (4-7-1, 7-8-1) and Brittany Sadler made 19 saves.
n Five different players scored for McGuffey as the Highlanders defeated Beth-Center, 5-2, in a Section 1-AA match.
Cassie Spalding, Colleen McNurlen, Jessica Polen, Marissa Pattison and Julie Pedtke scored one goal each for McGuffey (7-2-0, 10-3-1). Polen, Shelby Ward and Michelle Gottschalk each had an assist.
Sarah Lesnock and Megan Sowers scored for the Bulldogs (1-8-0, 2-13-0).
n Samantha Ritzer and Heather Podroskey each scored first-half goals to lead Bentworth past Chartiers-Houston, 3-1, in a Section 1-AA match.
Ritzer added a second goal in the second half, and Krista Stryele and Ashley Hamstra had assists for the Bearcats (2-7, 4-11).
Sara Trefnoff scored for Char-Houston (2-7, 4-14).
Men's soccer
Chad Swisher's hat trick paced Thiel College to a 4-1 victory at Waynesburg in a PAC match.
Thiel (2-10-1, 1-3) only took nine shots, compared to 23 for Waynesburg (3-11-0, 0-3-0). Matt Cross has the lone goal for Waynesburg.
Sanchez repeat winner of Clemente award
Pirates infielder Freddy Sanchez, who withstood a spring training injury to have a second strong season in a row, is the repeat winner of the Roberto Clemente award as chosen by Pittsburgh members of the Baseball Writers Association of America.
Sanchez is the first back-to-back winner of the award since Brian Giles in 1999-2000.
Only four players have won in successive seasons since the award was first presented in 1973: outfielders Dave Parker (1977-78) and Andy Van Slyke (1987-88), Giles and Sanchez.
Sanchez edged left-hander Tom Gorzelanny (14-10, 3.88 ERA), who emerged as one of the NL's best left-handed starters even though the Pirates lost 94 games during a 15th consecutive losing season.
The award is given to the Pirates player who best exemplifies the standard of excellence established by Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente and serves as the club's MVP award. Clemente played for the Pirates from 1955 until his death in a plane crash at age 38 in 1972.
Sanchez, the 2006 NL batting champion with a .344 average, sat out most of spring training with a knee injury. He also moved from third base to second base.
Despite getting only a handful of at-bats in Florida, Sanchez hit .304 with 11 homers and 81 RBIs, or only four RBIs fewer than he had during his 200-hit season in 2006.
The Clemente award given by Pittsburgh baseball writers is not the same as that presented annually by Major League Baseball to a player based on sportsmanship, community involvement and his contribution to his team.