Hot start lifts Thunder over Phantoms

November 23, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

Bloomington, ind.

The Bloomington Thunder scored two goals in the first period to top the Youngstown Phantoms 4-1 at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum.

The Thunder (5-9-3) were led by Tarek Baker who scored twice. The Phantoms (9-6-2) goal was scored by Kyle Connor his seventh of the season. Connor’s goal made the score 3-1 but the Thunder added an empty net goal to seal the win. Colin DeAugustine who gave up three goals was replaced by Chris Birdsall. Birdsall had 21 saves.

The Phantoms travel to play the Muskegon Lumberjacks Friday at 7:15 p.m.

Florida names Durkin interim coach

GAINESVILLE, Fla.

Bowl-bound Florida wasted little time lining up a head coach for the postseason.

After beating Eastern Kentucky 52-3 on Saturday, the Gators (6-4) named defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin interim head coach for the bowl game.

The 36-year-old Durkin (Boardman High School) is in his fifth season in Gainesville, one of two holdovers from the Urban Meyer regime. Durkin joined Florida’s staff as special teams coordinator in 2010. He was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2013, replacing Dan Quinn.

The last time Florida used an interim head coach was in the 2004 Peach Bowl. Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong coached that game, which Florida lost 27-10 to Miami. Strong stayed on as part of Meyer’s staff that won two national championships in four years.

YSU volleyball’s season ends in tournament

OAKLAND, MICH.

The Youngstown State volleyball team had its best season in 15 years come to a close with a 3-0 loss to Oakland in the semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament on Saturday.

The set scores were 25-18, 25-17, 25-16. YSU senior Shannon Watson finished with a match-high 11 kills and senior Lexi Egler posted a match-high 11 digs.

The Penguins finish the season with an overall record of 17-13, which is the program’s best mark since 1999.

AD offers few specifics about evaluating Hoke

ANN ARBOR, MICH.

Michigan interim athletic director Jim Hackett says he’s preparing to evaluate the football program at the end of the season, although he would not specify whether a decision on coach Brady Hoke’s status would happen at the end of the regular season or the postseason.

Hackett held a news conference before Michigan’s game Saturday against Maryland, the last home game of this disappointing season for the Wolverines. Hackett took over when athletic director Dave Brandon resigned at the beginning of this month, but he’s kept a low profile during in his first three weeks on the job.

Hackett says he’s had a number of meetings with Hoke, and he was mostly complimentary of how the coach has handled adversity this year.

Messi scores record 252nd league goal

BARCELONA, Spain

Lionel Messi has broken the Spanish league’s all-time scoring record, surpassing the previous 251-goal mark in Barcelona’s match against Sevilla on Saturday.

Athletic Bilbao’s Telmo Zarra set the milestone of 251 goals in 271 La Liga games from 1940-55.

Playing in his 289th league game, the 27-year-old Messi first equaled Zarra’s record in the 21st minute and then beat it in the 72nd at Camp Nou Stadium. The Argentine went on to get his hat trick in the 78th with his 253rd league goal giving Barcelona a 5-1 lead.

Messi’s latest scoring feat comes after he equaled Raul Gonzalez as the Champions League all-time scorer with 71 goals earlier this month.

Messi is Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer with 365 goals.

Staff/Wire reports