The Pirate Post
Park University’s Athletics Blog
September 19, 2008

Welcome to the newest edition of the Pirate Post. Steve has trusted me enough to take over this blog for the week. This is my first blog posting of any kind, so please bare with me.

I have been on Park’s campus for one month now and it has been everything I could have asked for and more. Every athletic event I have attended has been very competitive and all of the athletic staff, coaches and players are all so great to work with. Park is truly a wonderful place.

Currently I am working with two top 25 programs. Our Men’s soccer squad is No. 9 in the NAIA Coaches poll along with our Women’s squad ranked at No.17.  The Pirates women’s team is coming off a couple of great wins in the last week. On Wednesday September 10, Park traveled to rival William Jewell and came away with a 1-0 double overtime win. A week later on the road against Benedictine, the Pirates came from behind to beat the Ravens handily, 3-0.

Under head coach Efrem Shimlis, the No. 9 ranked men’s squad also had a successful week. On September 10, the Pirates took down William Jewell 1-0 to earn bragging rights against its rival. Seven days later, Park traveled to Benedictine and came out with a 1-1 tie, to bring the Pirates overall record to 2-1-2.

Due to the rainout of the Graceland game last Saturday, September 13, both men’s and women’s soccer squads have a busy week ahead of them. The Graceland game has been rescheduled to this Monday, September 22. With the Women’s squad kicking off at 5 p.m. and the men’s squad set for 7 p.m. at Julian Field. On Wednesday, September 24, Grand View comes to Julian Field for a match against our Men’s squad beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The Men’s and Women’s Cross Country team travels to Joplin, Mo. this weekend to one of the premiere meets in the country. The Pirates will compete against over 40 collegiate teams at the Southern Stampede Invitational; with start time for the Women set for 9:00 a.m. and the men will begin at 9:45 a.m. Good luck to all of our runners!

Park’s Volleyball team has been quite busy as well. With four games last weekend at the Hastings Tournament, the Pirates didn’t come out with a win but every game was competitive. Graceland came to Park last Wednesday and defeated the Pirates in three games. But Park looks to rebound this weekend against Bellevue and Peru State. Then Park hosts Haskell this Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m.

Hopefully you will have a chance to visit the Web site this weekend and take a look at the game stories, schedules and results of the entire weekend’s action. As the season heats up, look for more blogs from Park athletics, including a few words from student-athletes and coaches.

Go Pirates!

Tyler Price
Assistant Sports Information Director