BYU taking on Long Beach in hockey

PROVO — With the recent announcement that ice hockey will now be a Brigham Young University-sanctioned sport, the Cougars will open the 2007-08 campaign on Friday, when they host Long Beach University at the Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, at 8:30 p.m.

The team — formerly known as the Provo IceCats — has been around since 1994, but since hockey wasn't recognized as an official sport at BYU until this season, team could not use the Cougar name in print or on its uniforms.

MEN'S GOLF: With the Cougars sitting in 10th place at the Husky Invitational in Bremerton, Wash., last week, the third round was canceled because of rain.

Freshman Adam Tebbs was the top competitor for BYU, finishing tied for 20th place in the tournament, played on the par-72 Olympic Course at the Gold Mountain Golf Club.

WOMEN'S SWIMMING: BYU spent four days at the U.S. Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs, Colo., last week as part of the squad's preparations for the upcoming season.

According to Cougars coach Stan Crump, one of the purposes of the trip was to get a feel of training on quality facilities. The defending Mountain West Conference Tournament champions will get their first competitive action Friday at the Don Reddish Relays in Salt Lake City.

WOMEN'S SOCCER: The No. 16 Cougars rode the back of Hermann Trophy candidate Katie Larkin — once again — to a pair of wins last week to remain unbeaten.

Larkin, who leads the MWC with eight game-winning goals, scored late and also had an assist in a 2-1 victory over Utah State on Thursday at home.

Then, on Saturday, Larkin scored again to win 1-0 over Arizona in Tucson. Larkin has 22 points for the season. Goalkeeper Erika Woodbury recorded her ninth shutout of the year.

BYU (10-0-2) starts conference play when it takes on TCU today and Utah Saturday. The match against the Utes will be shown live on BYUTV.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL: The Cougars split a pair of matches in Provo, sweeping TCU 30-27, 30-20, 30-21 on Friday but losing in four games to New Mexico, 30-22, 26-30, 24-30, 25-30.

BYU will go on the road to play at Utah on Friday. The Cougars are now 11-5 overall, 4-3 in MWC action.

LACROSSE: BYU swept a doubleheader of games at home on Friday, beating Westminster College 14-4, then edging University of Utah, 7-6, to stay undefeated on the young season.

Last year's MCLA Division A national champions are 3-0.

RUGBY: The Cougars took care of business against the University of Utah last week, outscoring the Utes 34-10 in a wet game at home.

BYU, now 2-0, next takes on the Texas A&M Aggies Oct. 19 at home.

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E-mail: cpeterson@desnews.com