SPORTS DIGEST | Nelson loses decision to Martirosyan

Nelson loses decision to Martirosyan

Mashantucket, Conn.

Willie Nelson lost a unanimous decision to Vanes Martirosyan, 97-93, 97-93, 96-94 in their 10-round junior middleweight bout at Foxwoods Resort on Saturday.

Nelson’s (23-2-1, 13 KOs) trainer Jack Loew said the Youngstown boxer controlled the fight early, but lost some ground toward the middle rounds.

“We could’ve made it an easy fight, but we just let them hang around,” Loew said. “Listen, it was a very, very exciting fight. Both guys took big shots, we just came up on the short end of the stick.”

Loew said afterward he thought this was probably Nelson’s last chance at getting a shot at another title.

Podolsky sets career win mark in 1-0 victory

Youngstown

Sophomore Kathy Baquero’s goal in the 14th minute was all the offense needed as the Youngstown State women’s soccer team defeated Oakland, 1-0, Saturday at Farmers National Bank Field.

With the win, her 13th, senior goalkeeper Jackie Podolsky (Canfield) broke the school’s all-time career wins record. It was Podolsky’s fourth win this season.

The Penguins improve to 6-4-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the Horizon League while Oakland falls to 3-9-1 overall and 1-2-0 in the league.

Junior Katie Hohmann centered a pass to the left side of the penalty box where Baquero’s header found the right-corner at the 13:05 mark. It was Baquero’s team-leading fifth goal of the season.

Phantoms defeat expansion team, 3-1

BLOOMINGTON, IND.

Chase Pearson, Max Lentunov and Josh Nenadal scored goals to lead the Youngstown Phantoms to Saturday’s 3-1 victory over the expansion team Bloomington Thunder.

Colin DeAugustine made 37 saves to earn his first victory of the USHL season.

Kyle Connor assisted on two goals. Letunov, Carson Vance, Josh Melnick and Tommy Parran each made one assist.

The Phantoms’ home opener will be Saturday at 3:05 p.m. at the Covelli Centre against the Thunder.

AAC commissioner is Curbstone speaker

AUSTINTOWN

Rick King, commissioner of the All-American Conference, will be the Curbstone Coaches luncheon guest speaker Monday at noon at Luciano’s Banquet Center.

The public is welcome.

US women beat Aussies to reach worlds final

ISTANBUL

Tina Charles scored 18 points and Maya Moore added 16 to help the U.S. beat pesky Australia 82-70 on Saturday night in the semifinals of the women’s world championship.

The Americans (5-0) had to work hard for this victory — as is usually the case when these powers in women’s basketball meet.

The U.S. will face Spain in the gold-medal game today. Spain beat host Turkey 66-56 for its first trip to the championship.

The Spanish team won a bronze medal at the 2010 worlds after losing to the U.S. in the semifinals.

Jones’ header lifts New England past Crew 2-1

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

Jermaine Jones headed in a goal in the 67th minute, his second consecutive winner, to push the New England Revolution past 10-man Columbus 2-1 on a rainy Saturday night. New England (15-13-3) moved into second place in the Eastern Conference — four points back of D.C. United.

Ethan Finlay scored the only goal for Columbus (11-10-10). Waylon Francis was handed yellow cards in the 39th and 70th minutes for Columbus.

Staff reports/Associated Press