SpringfieldNewsSun.com

DELAWARE, Ohio — Earlier this soccer season, Ohio Wesleyan junior midfielder Jordan Halloran wondered if his team's luck would ever swing the other way.

The Battling Bishops started the season 7-4, including one goal losses to Capital, Ohio Northern and Case Western Reserve.

"It was kind of a letdown," the Catholic Central High School graduate said. "We got a little unlucky. It was a learning experience."

After early-season struggles, Ohio Wesleyan (18-4-1) has won 11 straight games, including a victory over Wittenberg on penalty kicks in the North Coast Athletic Conference tournament championship to make their NCAA-record 31st Division III tournament appearance.

"It was a dogfight," Halloran said of the NCAC title game victory. "We've been playing the best we've played all season."

This weekend, the Bishops opened NCAA regional play with a 1-0 victory over Susquehana in double overtime on Friday, Nov. 14. They advanced to the Sweet 16 with a 3-0 win over Carnegie Mellon Saturday, Nov. 15.

"We've got a lot of momentum right now," Halloran said. "We're feeling pretty confident."

Halloran has three goals and nine assists in 19 games played this season.

"I've been pleased with how I've been playing," Halloran said. "I'm playing a significant role within the team."

Earning playing time can be a tough feat at Ohio Wesleyan.

"Every kid that comes here is the best player on their high school or club team," Halloran said. "Everyone is fighting for a spot."

A lot of that has to do with Coach Jay Martin, who guided the team to the D-III title in 1998.

"His records speaks for themselves," Halloran said.

As for this year, Halloran is having a blast. He's hoping they can keep the momentum going for a few more tournament games.

"It's been awesome" Halloran said.

Short Takes

Football: Graham grad Myles Trempe, a redshirt sophomore wide receiver at Ball State University, caught two passes for 44 yards as the BCS 14th-ranked Cardinals beat Miami University 31-16 in Mid-American Conference action on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Ball State (10-0, 6-0 MAC West) travels to Central Michigan (7-2, 5-0 MAC West), the two-time defending MAC West Division Champions, on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

Women's cross country: North grad Shannon Alejandro, a senior at Lehigh University, finished fifth in a time of 21:38 at the Patriot League Championships in Bethlehem, Pa., Nov. 1.

Alejandro was the Mountain Hawks' top-finisher as Lehigh placed third as a team. She was 15 seconds behind winner Amy Watson (21:23) of the Naval Academy.

Women's soccer: Graham grad Leah Geuy, a freshman forward at Urbana University, had three goals and two assists for the Blue Knights (8-8) this season in 13 appearances.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0365 or mcooper@coxohio.com.