Stefan Noesen scores twice as Devils defeat Ducks

• October 28, 2024

By ALLAN KREDA

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Stefan Noesen scored twice in the second period, Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves and the New Jersey Devils downed the Anaheim Ducks 6-2 on Sunday.

Jack Hughes, Paul Cotter, Nico Hischier and Erik Haula also scored for the Devils, who scored four goals in the second period.

Hughes tied the contest at 1-1 at 1:15 into the second after Anaheim’s Brock McGinn scored in the first period. Noesen put New Jersey (6-4-2) ahead 2-1 at 4:42 of the middle period and scored again on a power play with 2:37 left in the period.

Cotter made it 4-1 with 1:11 left in the second.

Hischier scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season 1:50 into the third to make it 5-1. Haula scored the Devils’ sixth goal with under a minute left in the game at even strength.

Ryan Strome scored the Ducks’ second goal in the third period, and James Reimer made 28 saves for Anaheim (3-4-1).

The Ducks have lost three of four games since starting their season 2-1-1 and play next at the Islanders on Tuesday.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Watchtower gives rider Diego Herrera his biggest win

• October 28, 2024

Watchtower and Diego Herrera rallied to beat odds-on Medoro by a nose in the $100,000, Grade III Autumn Miss Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday, giving the 20-year-old jockey his first thoroughbred graded stakes victory.

The win at 8-1 odds for trainer Richard Baltas in the 1-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies was Herrera’s sixth in 44 starts at the Santa Anita fall meet that ended Sunday, lifting him into the top 10 of the jockey standings.

Juan Hernandez wrapped up his second Santa Anita fall meet title in a row with 25 race victories, 10 more than Umberto Rispoli.

Bob Baffert won the training title with 14 victories, one more than Phil D’Amato and two more than George Papaprodromou.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Chargers’ Bradley Bozeman, Justin Herbert have each other’s backs

• October 28, 2024

INGLEWOOD — Bradley Bozeman saw what was happening to Justin Herbert, and he didn’t like it one bit. New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd grabbed hold of Herbert’s right ankle and leg after Herbert avoided a sack by pitching a pass to running back J.K. Dobbins for a 10-yard gain.

From a distance, it appeared Shepherd was attempting a move you might only see in professional wrestling. From up close, it looked like the dirtiest play Bozeman had ever seen. So, Bozeman sprung into action, knocking Shepherd off Herbert with a powerful two-handed shove.

“He’s a fighter, he’s our leader, he’s our quarterback,” Bozeman said.

Herbert, hoping to prevent Bozeman from picking up an unnecessary roughness penalty or perhaps even an ejection, got to his feet unscathed and pulled his teammate away from Shepard. It was a case of a center coming to his quarterback’s aid and a quarterback coming to his center’s aid.

Bozeman and Shepherd each earned unnecessary roughing penalties.

“I think it’s just something that’s instinctual,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Offensive linemen, we ask them to do so much. Run-block. They’re hitting every play. They’ve got to pass-block. You’re asking them to pursue the play in case there’s a fumble down the field. They’ve got to hustle.

“Everybody knows Justin has a bad ankle. I wasn’t out there. I just saw what I saw and how long it was going on. That’s going on too long; it should be an ejection. I don’t blame (Bozeman). I don’t encourage that at all. I don’t blame him, either. That’s how they’re wired. They’re protectors.”

Herbert said he was grateful for Bozeman’s intervention.

Related Articles

“I just saw Bradley Bozeman defending me,” Herbert said. “That’s what I saw. That’s the type of center you want on your team. He will give everything for this team. I appreciate what he did. I tried to pull him off so he wouldn’t get any penalties called. To have a guy defending you, there’s no better feeling.”

WIDE RIGHT

Long snapper Josh Harris’ poor snap on a first-quarter punt resulted in JK Scott scrambling after the loose ball in his end zone. Scott couldn’t secure the ball, but tried to bat it out of the end zone and out of harm’s way. Special teams ace Hassan Haskins then managed to do what Scott couldn’t.

It resulted in a safety and two points for the Saints.

It’s believed to be the first errant snap on a punt, field goal or extra point since Harris and Scott signed with the Chargers before the 2022 season, an uncharacteristic miscue from a special teams unit that hasn’t had a punt or a kick blocked, either. Harris is a 13-year veteran and Scott is in his seventh season.

​ Orange County Register 

Jayden Daniels’ buzzer-beating Hail Mary TD beats Bears, Caleb Williams

• October 28, 2024

By STEPHEN WHYNO

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jayden Daniels connected with Noah Brown on a 52-yard Hail Mary as time expired to give the Washington Commanders an 18-15 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Daniels scrambled for several seconds before heaving the ball from the Commanders 35-yard line. It was deflected about 3 yards short of the goal line and fell into the arms of Brown, who was standing alone in the end zone.

Chicago had taken its first lead with 23 seconds left in the game, going ahead 15-12 on a 1-yard TD run by Roschon Johnson after a pass-interference penalty on the Commanders (6-2). The Bears (4-3) had their winning streak snapped at three after falling behind 12-0 and giving up the Daniels-to-Brown play that sent players and fans in the stands into a frenzy.

The unlikely TD was Daniels’ 21st completion on 38 attempts while playing through a rib injury that left his status uncertain until hours before kickoff. In the NFL’s sixth matchup of rookie quarterbacks taken with the top two picks in the draft, Daniels threw for 326 yards and ran for 52.

The unexpected ending ruined a turnaround for No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams from USC, who engineered a late 62-yard scoring drive after starting the game completing just four of his first 16 passes. Williams finished 10 of 24 for 131 yards, and D’Andre Swift ran for a TD as part of his 129-yard performance.

In this often ragged matchup of dynamic rookies, it was Daniels, taken one spot after Williams in the NFL draft, who came out on top.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

AVP League: Nitro secures first place and a battle remains for championship berth

• October 28, 2024

ANAHEIM — The New York Nitro secured a share of first place in the AVP league after splitting its matches on Sunday. Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes bounced back from a loss on Saturday to beat the Austin Aces’ female pairing.

The Aces men, though, came through with a three-set victory over the Nitro to retain a one-game advantage over the San Diego Smash for the final spot in the Championship.

The Smash were in last place heading into Weekend 7 at the Honda Center, but went 3-1 — their only loss coming in three sets to the Palm Beach Passion women — to keep their postseason hopes alive.

The fight for fourth place between the Smash, Aces and LA Launch will be decided next weekend in Dallas.

Match 1: San Diego Smash vs. Palm Beach Passion (Women)

The Smash built a 14-10 lead in the third set, but dropped four consecutive match points. Melissa Humana-Paredes’s kill tied the score at 14, forcing a win-by-two scenario.

“I think Melissa just made a decision that she was going to take over that game,” Brandie Wilkerson, Paredes’s teammate, said.

That may be true, but it was Wilkerson’s words that gave Paredes the confidence to come through with another kill to set up their own match point.

Just before they went on that run, Paredes looked at Wilkerson and said, “Nothing is working, what do we do?”

“Just ball out,” Wilkerson replied, smoothly.

The next shot from Wilkerson decided the outcome as they beat the Smash (15-10, 12-15, 16-14).

Match 2: San Diego Smash vs. Palm Beach Passion (Men)

Chase Budinger and Miles Evans stayed focused throughout the longest set of the season, outlasting the Palm Beach Passion men 21-19 in the first frame. Tied at 19, Budinger’s shot nestled into the left side of the court. He, then, produced an ace on a soft serve that died in front of Phil Dalhausser’s feet.

The second set wasn’t nearly as long as the Smash jumped out to a 9-3 lead. They held set point at 14-8, when Dalhausser met Budinger at the net, blocking his shot. It was originally called out, but on replay the ball skimmed the line.

“Thankfully, we had a couple-point lead,” Evans said. “We were pretty relaxed out there.”

The Smash regrouped to win the match on the following point. The victory (21-19, 15-10) kept them alive in the race for the fourth spot in the championship.

Match 3: New York Nitro vs. Austin Aces (women)

A smile crept onto Kelly Cheng’s face. She couldn’t erase it if she tried. Not after she had put perfect spin on the ball, nor placed it so precisely. In the second set, Cheng returned an Aces’ hit that traversed the entire court, laying it just inside the opposite boundary from which it came from.

“She’s just unstoppable,” Sara Hughes said about Cheng, her teammate. “It’s one of those feelings where you could just put up anything, and you know she’s gonna hit it.”

Cheng had all the tricks on Sunday. Her shot to win the first set was too quick for Taryn Kloth’s instincts. She had a kill that broke a 9-9 tie in the second set. She followed that up with a shot that landed out of Kristen Nuss’s reach. Another kill from Cheng set up match point, before her ace won the match for the Nitro (15-10, 15-11).

Match 4: New York Nitro vs. Austin Aces (men)

Nitro’s Taylor Sander and Taylor Crabb had the Aces looking silly during the first set. They switched between fastballs and soft lobs, changing serve tactics constantly. Then, for set point, Sander launched a sky-ball, which Paul Lotman returned, but right into Crabb’s block.

“They were firing on all cylinders,” Billy Allen of the Aces, said. “We couldn’t really touch them.”

Matters got worse, it seemed, when Lotman “heard a pop in his knee.” Play stopped for five minutes before Lotman returned.

“I think it helped us in a way,” Lotman said, “like an extended timeout just to kind of center myself.”

The Aces went on to win the third set 15-13, a kill from Lotman sealing it. (7-15, 15-11, 15-13).

Although the Aces’ women’s duo lost to the Nitro, the men’s win means they control their destiny heading into the final weekend of matches.

The Aces won’t face the Smash in Dallas, but if they take care of business in games against the Dallas Dream and the LA Launch, they’ll earn a trip to the Championship, which will be held Nov. 9-10 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.

​ Orange County Register 

USWNT comes from behind to earn win over Iceland

• October 28, 2024

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lynn Williams and Lindsey Horan scored minutes apart in the second half and the United States rallied to beat Iceland 3-1 on Sunday.

Forward Emma Sears made her debut for the United States as a second-half substitute and scored in stoppage time. She also had an assist, becoming the first player with a goal and an assist in her first national team game.

“We don’t want to lose, we don’t like losing. The U.S. mentality is we’re going to bring it, we’re going to claw, we’re going to fight, we’re going to come back,” Williams said. “So yes we were down, but I believe in us, we all believe in ourselves, and that’s what it takes to win.”

The United States also defeated Iceland 3-1 on Thursday in Austin in the first of the three matches on home soil. The Americans play Argentina on Wednesday in Louisville, Kentucky.

The matches are the first for the United States since the team won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics this past summer.

Karolína Lea Vilhjalmsdottir scored on a corner kick to give Iceland the lead in the 31st minute. U.S. goalkeeper Casey Murphy leaped to get her fingertips on the ball, but it got past her and bounced into the goal after hitting the far post.

It was the first time the United States had trailed in 12 games under coach Emma Hayes.

The Americans had a good chance in the 62nd minute but Iceland goalkeeper Cecilía Ran Runarsdottir dove to push away Horan’s free kick. But Williams broke through in the 72nd minute to tie the game before Horan’s goal 3:45 later.

“It’s honestly hard to find the words right now,” Sears said about her goal to cap the scoring. “This feels super surreal to not only be surrounded by such amazing people but also players that I’ve looked up to for so many years. I super honored to have been invited to this camp and to learn and grow in this environment.”

The United States recognized defender Kelley O’Hara with a halftime ceremony. O’Hara announced earlier this year that she was retiring. Her final professional season with Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League this year was cut short by injury.

The team also honored Mallory Swanson before the game for her 100th appearance for the United States. Her husband, Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson, was on hand for the ceremony.

Swanson’s 100th game was the gold-medal match against Brazil at the Olympics. Swanson scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory.

Related Articles

Among those missing from the U.S. squad for the three matches was Trinity Rodman, who was recovering from a back injury, and Crystal Dunn, who was absent for a personal commitment.

The U.S. will close out the year with a pair of matches in Europe. They play England at Wembley on Nov. 30 before facing the Netherlands in the Hague on Dec. 3.

​ Orange County Register 

Clippers hold off Warriors to spoil home opener for Golden State

• October 28, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry left midway through the fourth quarter with a left ankle injury as Ivica Zubac and the Clippers spoiled the Golden State Warriors’ home opener with a 112-104 win Sunday night.

Zubac had 23 points and 18 rebounds.

Andrew Wiggins scored 29 points with a 3-pointer at the 3:47 mark of the fourth that made it a one-point game, Curry added 18 with six assists but left for good at the 7:55 mark. He tweaked his ankle late in the third then briefly tried to return with 8:08 left in the game before sitting down for good.

James Harden contributed 23 points and 11 assists, making all nine of his free throws for a Clippers team missing Kawhi Leonard as the star forward is sidelined with a right knee injury.

Before introductions and the national anthem, a moment of silence was held for Hall of Famer Al Attles, the former Warriors player, coach, general manager and ambassador who died at his East Bay home on Aug. 20 at age 87. A video tribute showed during a first-quarter timeout.

The Clippers forced 21 Warriors turnovers leading to 21 points but also committed 18.

For the Warriors, Buddy Hield went 3 for 14 — 1 of 9 from 3-point range — for eight points coming off the bench in his home debut for Golden State.

The Clippers return home to host Portland on Wednesday, kicking off a five-game homestand.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register 

Endorsement: Tanner Douthit for Tustin City Council

• October 28, 2024

Voters in Tustin’s District 1 have their pick of two candidates to represent them on the City Council.

Candidate Lee Fink recently made headlines after a disturbing video was released showing Fink swearing at and shoving a man during a home tour without provocation. We believe his conduct is disqualifying. Anyone willing to physically bully someone should not be trusted with political power.

By contrast, Tanner Douthit, a local businessman who serves as a member of the planning commission, is a thoughtful and serious candidate. His priorities are straightforward: support public safety, streamline the development process and cleaning up city streets and parks.

“I’d like to streamline our processes to make it fast, easy and affordable for new businesses to come to Tustin,” he explains. “I want to plant a flag that tells the world, Tustin is open for business by cutting business fees and promoting our Tustin businesses for Southern California and the world to see.”

With his planning commission experience in his back pocket, he is well-suited to help promote housing construction. “Our city does not have enough housing,” he argues. “During my tenure on the planning commission, we have been strategic in adding to our housing inventory while maintaining the character of what makes Tustin great.”

He opposes rent control, has vowed not to raise sales taxes in the city and he will be reliable voice for fiscal responsibility on the council.

It’s an easy decision: Elect Tanner Douthit to the Tustin City Council.

Related Articles

​ Orange County Register