by Russell Vannozzi | Oct 22, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
LEXINGTON, Ky.- The Lipscomb men’s soccer team is peaking at the right time and continuing to find ways to win. After victories over Memphis, North Florida and Evansville, the Bisons (9-6) extended their winning streak to four games with a 3-2 stunner at Kentucky on Saturday night. Logan Paynter got Lipscomb on the board by freezing the Kentucky keeper with a chip shot that lofted its way into the back of the net. The Wildcats (7-5-2) answered with a Leon Jones goal 10 minutes later, but the Bisons countered with a tally by senior forward Ivan Sakou in the 36th minute. Lipscomb led 2-1 at the halftime break. In the 59th minute, Kentucky knotted the game at two when Noah Hutchins scored on a volley from the far post. The Bisons were not to be outdone. Lipscomb junior Ryan Birchfield deposited a shot into the net just one minute later to take a 3-2 lead. Several saves by Lipscomb goalie Christopher Zappia preserved the advantage and the eventual upset victory over the Wildcats. Kentucky was ranked fifth in the Southeast Regional poll heading into the contest. Lipscomb will look to continue its winning ways when it takes on UAB in Birmingham on Tuesday. The Bisons will then wrap their 2017 regular season by hosting Jacksonville next Saturday, Oct. 28. Highlight of Paynter’s goal Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Russell Vannozzi | Oct 19, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There was a point in early October when the Lipscomb men’s soccer team had to do some serious soul-searching. Over an eleven day stretch beginning Sept. 27, the Bisons lost three consecutive ASUN conference matches by a combined score of 5-1. However, Lipscomb (8-6) has since reeled off three straight wins, including a 4-2 victory over Evansville on Wednesday evening. “We hit a stretch where we were in a funk,” junior forward Logan Paynter said. “We were struggling to get things together, but now we’re back on track and starting to roll.” Freshman forward Ihaia Delaney scored a goal in the first half, and Paynter, Ivan Alvarado and Bennie Harris each found the back of the net in the second half to power the Bisons past the Aces. “The credit goes to the guys,” coach Charles Morrow said. “They have the mentality of keeping their head down and working hard and the goals will come.” The Bisons have had their fair share of ups and downs throughout the 2017 season. The graduation of goalkeeper Micah Bledsoe left big shoes to fill in the net, while Lipscomb has been inconsistent on the attacking side of the ball. Redshirt junior goalie Christopher Zappia has made 56 saves in his first year as a full-time starter, and Morrow said Zappia has continued to show improvement as the season has progressed. “He’s done well,” Morrow said of the goalkeeper. “I think that there’s been some speed bumps along the way. Down the stretch, he’s made all the saves he needed to make . . . that’s all you can ask...
by Russell Vannozzi | Oct 12, 2017 | News Slider, Sports
Stability would not be a term used to describe the basketball career of Andrew Fleming. The 6-foot-6 guard has experienced constant changes of scenery throughout the last four seasons of his career in Nashville. The former Ensworth High School star has finally found a permanent home back in the Music City as a member of Lipscomb’s 2017-18 basketball team. Fleming was declared eligible by the NCAA last week, allowing him to fully participate in all games this season. “I just found out (last Tuesday),” Fleming said. “I kept the faith and I am so thankful for all of the opportunities I have been given.” Fleming announced his decision to transfer from Chattanooga to Lipscomb via Twitter in early May. “I love it here and I’ve been through a lot, so I’m glad Coach (Alexander) took a chance on me,” Fleming said. “Faith and values are also very important to me and that made Lipscomb a nice fit.” Fleming first gained notoriety at Ensworth, where he amassed 1,117 points in three seasons and was named TSSAA DII-AA Mr. Basketball in 2014. For his senior season, Fleming transferred to Oak Hill Academy, a prestigious prep basketball school in Wilson, Virginia. The school has produced numerous NBA stars including Kevin Durant, Rajon Rondo and Michael Beasley. Oak Hill allowed Fleming to showcase his talents to college recruiters. He took full advantage of the opportunity by hitting 72 three pointers and leading his team to a 47-1 season record and a runner-up finish in the Dick’s Nationals Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Iowa, Auburn, Florida, Memphis, Nebraska and UNLV were just a few...
by Russell Vannozzi | Oct 7, 2017 | News Slider
The Lipscomb’s women’s soccer team went through a gauntlet of a non-conference schedule that included losses to Auburn, Georgia, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. With ASUN conference play now in full swing, the Lady Bisons are trying to find their footing against fellow mid-major squads. Head coach Kevin O’Brien admits he was hoping for more success against the powers of the SEC, yet he believes his team is better for its early-season struggles. “Last year, we played four SEC teams and beat two of them,” O’Brien said. “It’s kind of a gamble to have those teams on your schedule, but regardless of the outcome, the tough matches provided great preparation for our conference schedule.” Lipscomb (4-5-3) opened its ASUN slate with a 3-0 victory at NJIT on Sept. 23, before its match with Florida Gulf Coast was rained out on Sept. 29. The Lady Bisons battled Stetson to a 1-1 draw last Sunday. “It was a positive result, although I’m disappointed that we gave the lead up in the second half,” O’Brien said of the Stetson match. “We have performed well at times, but the results have not always been great.” The Lady Bisons lack a go-to scorer this season and instead have several players capable of finding the back of the net. Senior Ellen Lundy leads the team with three goals, while Leah Cernicky, Riley Henry and Selah Gilmore each have two tallies apiece. “We’d love to have a top forward that’s punching in 10 or 12 goals, but we don’t have that,” O’Brien said. “For us, it’s been scoring by committee. The success is shared – I don’t think...
by Russell Vannozzi | Sep 16, 2017 | BREAKING NEWS, News Slider
Fortunately for the Lipscomb community, all 11 students that recently traveled to London are safe and accounted for, per university President Randy Lowry via an email statement sent to faculty and staff on Friday. London is reeling after a bombing at the Parsons Green Underground Station yesterday — Britain’s fifth terror incident this year. 29 people were injured in the attack, but according to the BBC, none appear to be life-threatening. The “Lipscomb in London” group was on a train to Edinburgh, Scotland, at the time of the attack. Lowry also noted that Parsons Green is on the opposite side of town from where the group is housed in Islington. “The incident occurred nearly an hour’s commute away from where the ‘Lipscomb in London’ students reside during the semester-long program,” Lowry said. “We have been in contact with families to assure them of their child’s safety.” Robyn Shannon, a sophomore from Hendersonville, said the group was initially shocked to hear the news, as they had spent Thursday in Notting Hill, which is also located in West London. However, the incident is not stopping Shannon and her classmates from getting the most of their stay in the English capital. “We still feel safe enough to travel within London,” Shannon said. “We know this could happen anywhere, and we don’t want fear to stop us from experiencing a different culture.” Ally Whiting, a sophomore from Colorado Springs, Colorado, said their distance from the attack also helped to ease nerves – including those of family and friends. “The distance has helped us all react calmly to (the bombing),” Whiting said. “There wasn’t...
