ENMU Athletics News

By Shelby Kirkes and Adam Pitterman

Outstanding Quartet to be Inducted

The ENMU Athletics Hall of Honors inducted Tony Cavalier (football), Murray Garrett (football), Irma Cobos-Hernandez (volleyball) and Dr. Joel Sievers (support) during homecoming weekend.

“The Class of 2015 is outstanding and all inductees are more than deserving of being enshrined in our Athletic Hall of Honors,” said Athletic Director Jeff Geiser.

2015 Hall of Honors inductees from left to right - Dr. Joel Sievers, Irma Hernandez, Murray Garrett, and Tony Cavalier

Photo by Sports Fanatic Photography

Tony Cavalier (BSE 00) was one of the Greyhound’s top defensive backs in the mid-to-late 1990’s and earned Don Hansen Football Gazette Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All Lone Star Conference for his performance in the 1998 season. Eastern posted an 8-3 record that season, which ignited a stretch of eight consecutive winning seasons. During that season, he returned three fumbles for 36 yards, intercepted four passes, blocked a kick and made 81 tackles. Cavalier also was an Honorable Mention All-LSC choice in 1997 after picking off three passes and breaking up nine others after a 1996 campaign that saw him make two interceptions with a pair of forced fumbles.

Murray Garrett (Attended 87-90) was one of the Hounds’ top defensive linemen and earned a spot on the Lone Star Conference All-Decade team for the 1980’s. He also was a First Team All-LSC defensive player after the 1988 and 1990 seasons. After his time at Eastern, Garrett went on to play professionally for the Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants in addition to a number of seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL). In the AFL, Garrett competed with Milwaukee for three seasons, Grand Rapids for one season and had two stints in Houston that spanned three seasons.

Irma Cobos-Hernandez (BS 02) was an extremely versatile four-year starter for the Zia volleyball team from the 1996- 1999 seasons. She played in all six rotations for ENMU and garnered three All-LSC selections with second team honors in 1999. Also successful in the classroom, Hernandez was an LSC All-Academic choice after the 1998 season. Easily, one can find Irma’s name in the record book, as she is in the top-10 in no less than five categories, which includes second in aces (131) and digs (1,653).

Dr. Joel Sievers has been a strong supporter of ENMU athletics for the past 13 years and has volunteered countless hours to help oversee the physical well-being of over 200 student-athletes every year. Sievers, along with other volunteer medical personnel have provided physicals to Eastern’s student athletes in addition to helping the training staff upgrade to computerized concussion testing to provide the highest quality of care. Sievers and his staff have continually shown concern for the well-being of Eastern’s student athletes and have fielded numerous calls to check the status of injuries and make appointments

Greyhound Volleyball Looking for More

In late September, the Eastern New Mexico University volleyball team knew they were better than their record indicated. The Greyhounds displayed this when they charged to a 2-0 lead in a match at thenundefeated Cameron. The Aggies bounced back to claim the match and retain their perfect record, but Eastern had made a major statement.

Later that week, the Hounds hosted an alumni game, with many of the alumni showing the form which made them standouts and all-conference performers.

Brooklyn Biel and Talaitupu Faumui prepare for an incoming serve from the Pioneers of Texas Women’s University.

Photo by Sports Fanatic Photography

Just days after the alumni game, the Greyhounds honored those players and the program again. For the first time since the 2004 season, Eastern handed West Texas A&M a loss in volleyball. For years, that was the win that every ENMU volleyball player had been looking for. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, Eastern charged to a 2-0 lead against the Lady Buffs. Although WT claimed the third set, ENMU took a commanding 11-3 lead in the fourth set and held on for the win. Lauren Frye and Brooklyn Biel combined for 29 kills, while Courtney Lawson and Andrea Aguilar combined for 38 digs. Eastern held a .245-.146 edge in attack percentage to dominate the match. There is plenty of season left, but this will always be remembered as the season in which the Hounds ended WT’s streak.

Gridiron Hounds Claim First Homecoming Win Since 2005 Season

Since arriving at Eastern New Mexico University, head coach John Lynn has accomplished a number of things. He brought the Wagon Wheel back to Portales. He led the team to its first winning season in almost a decade and first Lone Star Conference crown since the 1990’s. He followed by posting a winning record in consecutive seasons. The one goal that had eluded Lynn’s Hounds was a Homecoming Day win.

That streak came to an end on Oct. 3, 2015. Eastern charged to a 14-0 lead against Texas A&M-Kingsville on a oneyard plunge from Kamal Cass and a scintillating 74-yard interception return from Elliot Peters. Cass went on to score four touchdowns and earn Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors, and the Greyhounds never looked back, en-route to a 56-31 route.

Running back, Kamal Cass, avoids a tackle from a Midwestern State University Mustang during the Football Festival game at AT&T Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Photo by Sports Fanatic Photography

Prior to their current run, Eastern had only defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville four times. That total has been increased to eight, as the Hounds have defeated the Javelinas four straight times. On Saturday, Eastern registered a 396-77 yard advantage in the running game and scored two touchdowns in each quarter of the game. It was a Homecoming Saturday to remember.

Women’s Soccer Explodes vs Texas A&M-International

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Melissa Carnero tallied the game-winning goal against Texas A&M-International, and the floodgates opened. Amber Polizzi, Jenna Sievers, and Erin McAnarney also scored first half goals.

The Greyhounds dominated the first half and charged to a 4-0 lead while allowing no shots on goal. The Dustdevils finally got on the board on a second-half penalty kick, but the game already was out of reach and ENMU swept the season series.

Greyhound Women’s Soccer players, Morgan Fairbanks and Melissa Moxley battle against Midwestern State University.

Photo by Sports Fanatic Photography

Eastern has not scored four goals in the opening half of a game since a 6-0 win over University of the Southwest on Sept. 7, 2008. The last time the Hounds netted four in any half came Sept. 16, 2010 in a 6-1 win over Wayland Baptist.

Polizzi and Sievers both had goals and assists while Karissa Stinson made one save to earn her third win of the season. Cristina Escobedo made a pair of saves in the second half.

Greyhound Men’s Soccer to Join Heartland Conference as Affiliate Member

Heartland Conference commissioner Tony Stigliano announced that the conference would add ENMU as an affiliate member in men’s soccer for the 2016-17 season. The league also accepted Midwestern State and West Texas A&M.

“It is obvious this affiliate relationship will be a great benefit to men’s Greyhound soccer for several reasons e.g. scheduling, being able to compete for a conference championship and qualifying for NCAA regionals,” Said ENMU athletic director Dr. Jeff Geiser. “We appreciate the Heartland Conference for making this a reality.”

“We’re looking forward to going into the Heartland Conference,” said ENMU head coach Paul Tate. “Having a conference tournament at the end of the season for the players to be able to compete in is what it is all about. I think it will be a really strong conference and a lot of really good soccer.”

The move should have impact for the Greyhounds after playing as an NCAA Division II independent since the 2013 season. Heartland Conference soccer is nothing new to the program, as the league worked in collaboration with the Lone Star Conference for a number of years as the Southwest Soccer Conference before they separated several years ago. The move will also impact the Heartland and bring the total number of men’s soccer teams to 12.

Men’s Soccer Opens the Season 3-0-2

The ENMU men’s soccer team got off to a quick start under new head coach Paul Tate and went undefeated through its first five matches. The Hounds have played aggressively on both sides of the field during the quick start.

Among the key games in that run was a come-from-behind effort at Wayland Baptist. ENMU trailed 2-0 at halftime but used second-half goals from Ignacio Dicun and Roberto Zatarain to earn the hard fought tie.