Fort Lewis soccer star John Cunliffe is the Division II national player of the year and owner of every single-season record in the Skyhawks’ book, including goals (29) and assists (22). The native of England also holds every career record, from 86 games to 62 assists to 75 goals, including 23 game-winning goals.
On Friday, he’ll leave Durango for a shot at the big time, tryouts in Los Angeles with two Major League Soccer teams: Chivas USA and the L.A. Galaxy.
Amid all the honors, Jeremy Gunn, coach of Fort Lewis’ 2006 national runner-up squad and the 2005 national champion, offers the highest praise.
“Without a shadow of a doubt, he’s the most special player I’ve ever worked with,” Gunn said. “And on top of that, he’s the most humble and the most willing to improve.”
Cunliffe, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference freshman of the year in 2003, progressed each season, earning RMAC player of the year honors in 2004-06 and claiming All-America status all three seasons.
When he left his Edgworth, England, home in 2002, he lacked strength, heading wasn’t part of his game, and he favored his stronger foot – his left.
As he prepares for his MLS tryouts, he doesn’t get pushed off the ball, his heading is a scoring and passing weapon, and his right foot is a threat.
“He was a good player when he arrived here,” Gunn said. “But now he’s truly special, and that often doesn’t happen with college players. He got better every year, whereas someone else might think: ‘I’m player of the year. I could cruise.”‘
Women’s basketball
On the strength of its upset of No. 1 Emporia (Kan.) State, and eighth-ranked St. Cloud (Minn.) State, Metro State (5-1) entered the USA Today/ESPN Division II poll at No. 20.
The Roadrunners are among the deepest teams in Division II. All five starters returned off a squad that went 18-9 last season, and coach Dave Murphy added four Division I transfers and junior guard Stephanie Sauter, a transfer from RMAC rival Colorado-Colorado Springs.
Sophomore forward Cassondra Bratton, who took a year off after leaving the University of Denver, is shooting 70 percent from the field and averages 12.5 points and 4.3 rebounds.
Returner Danielle Ellerington, a junior guard from Broomfield, leads the Roadrunners with 13.0 points and 4.2 rebounds.
Junior guard Anne-Marie Torp, a Utah State transfer from Louisville, and junior guard Ashley Mickens, a transfer from Air Force, also are in double figures at just over 10 points per game.
Metro State averages 77.8 points and allows 62.8. Murphy employs a pressure defense that features frequent substitutions. Nine players average at least 11.2 minutes.
Men’s basketball
No. 22 Metro State (4-0) opens RMAC play on Friday at Mesa State in Grand Junction. … Regis forward Brandon Butler is a red-hot 85.7 percent from the field (30-for-35) in his past three games, including 9-for-9 in an 83-66 win over Colorado College. … CU-Colorado Springs senior forward Patrick Hannaway also is on target, shooting 77.1 percent in a five-game span, averaging 17.0 points. At 4-1, the Mountain Lions are off to their best start since 1997-98. … Carleton Goggins won RMAC West Division player of the week honors for Western State. The junior guard from Aurora’s Gateway High School averaged 17.7 points and 3.7 rebounds while helping the Mountaineers go 2-1.
Football
Fort Lewis defeated Dixie State (Utah) College 24-14 in the Dixie Rotary Bowl in St. George, Utah. Fort Lewis quarterback Matt Gutierrez, a Thornton High alum, earned MVP honors by passing for 197 yards and running for 78 yards.
