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In Myanmar, there's no need for guilt
Daw Su Su Nyunt squeezed my cupped hands, causing the grooved skin to bulge with definition. Using the fleshy road map as her guide, she read my future.
"Foreigners and foreign countries are good for you," she said, peering at my life through a pair of broken eyeglasses. "2013 is good for travel, not only in Burma but in other countries."
Su Su, who works out of a tiny cube on a traffic island in Yangon, has been making predictions about love, health, careers and travel since 1990. She doesn't need much fodder - just your birthday, including the day of the week, and $12.
With these aids, she initiated a one-on-one with the cosmos, which whispered my personal forecast in her ear: I would meet someone special in July or August, move to South Korea to work for an NGO in 2015, and suffer from hypertension after age 50. And I should eat more peas.
Despite Su Su's convictions, and my eagerness to embrace her vision of my future, I know that my tomorrow is uncertain. And I'm not alone: Myanmar's is also hazy.
The country previously known as Burma wears a cloak of mystery and mystique intensified by images of golden stupas rising out of dense jungles and Buddhist monks silhouetted in the morning mist.
Over the centuries, Myanmar has been a tug toy among invaders (the Mongols), colonists (the Brits) and occupiers (Japanese), yet none of the marauders could dull the sheen of the Golden Land.
The aspirational destination shines bright in our imaginations, a wounded yet beautiful starlet dogged by darker forces.
For nearly 50 years, a military junta ruled the Southeast Asian country, which it renamed Myanmar, affixing to its chest a scarlet letter that repelled conscientious travelers.
Many tourists avoided Myanmar altogether, while others would try to minimize the money flowing into the government's pockets by patronizing only independent enterprises. The joy of visiting Myanmar came with a taint.
But in 2011, a nominally civilian government assumed control and unspooled a string of reforms. Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, released from house arrest, won a seat in parliament, as did other members of the once-banned National League for Democracy.
Some political prisoners gained their freedom. The National League for Democracy, with Suu Kyi's blessing, lifted its travel boycott with the caveat of practicing responsible tourism. (Note: Parts of the country, such as areas along the Chinese border and in Rakhine and Shan states, are closed to tourists or require a special permit.)
Although the guilt of traipsing around Myanmar hasn't completely disappeared - the ruling party still maintains ties to the military - it has abated. The scarlet letter has been temporarily removed.
So in late January, I packed a duffel for Myanmar, leaving any emotional baggage behind - no tortured conscience, no sputtering excuses, no apologies.
A firm believer in engagement, not isolationism, I hoped to connect with a people and a place previously cut off from the rest of the world. My campaign: to embrace Myanmar, not to shun it.
I also had Su Su on my side. According to my astrology guru, this is my Year of Travel. Perhaps 2015, when the country holds elections, will be my Year of Repentance. Or, depending on the results, my Year of I Did the Right Thing.
In Yangon, the former capital and home to an estimated 5 million people, cars and buses jostle on roads resembling a child's doodle on a placemat. Drivers converse, or curse, with their horns. Pedestrians freeze mid-crossing, aware that in the pecking order of street life, they occupy the lower rungs.
A year ago, the city's roads were less congested. Unable to afford the US$50,000 price tag for a used car, residents had to rely on buses and bikes (motor and pedal) and their own two feet. Then the new government lowered the cost to US$10,000, creating a sticky conveyor belt of metal and exhaust.
Fortunately, progress hasn't usurped nature or recreation. One early morning at Lake Inya, an artificial body of water created during British rule (roughly 1825 to 1948), a group of women exercised with long bamboo poles while runners sweated along the trail snuggling the shores. Butterflies fluttered among bushes of acid-pink bougainvillea.
Compared with our company, my guide, Win, and I were sloths. We moved in fits and starts, stopping to chat with a trio of Dutch women (part of the baton-wielding crew), resuming our walk, then pausing again to talk to an elegant Myanmar woman gazing at the misty water.
She spoke of her good fortune in life, measured by the success of her family: her husband, a former Royal Air Force serviceman, and her sons, a globe-trotting mariner and a university student. After we parted ways, she turned back to the lake, a proud matriarch surrounded by silent beauty.
Until this point, Win and I had barely touched on the political situation. Only the sight of Suu Kyi's stately white house on the opposite shore of Lake Inya sparked the once-taboo topic.
"Now she is very busy to save us," said the 43-year-old, who relocated to Thailand after the Saffron Revolution in 2007, the nonviolent anti-government protests that the junta swiftly and aggressively quashed.
Win openly explained his need to flee the tyranny for gentler arms: "The government killed Buddhist monks and people. This is never very good for the future of our country. I had to find democracy." Last June, encouraged by the peaceful and progressive changes at home, he returned to Myanmar hoping to find democracy waiting for him.
So far, he's withholding his full endorsement. He acknowledges the positive advances. After then-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Barack Obama visited, "a lot of English-speaking tourists came. It gets better every day," he says. But he's wary: "I know the political situation is not very sure."
He looked toward Suu Kyi's house, a cradle of possibility and promise. "I believe her," he said. "Ninety-nine percent of Burma believes her."
Our conversation continued at another lake, Kandawgyi, and on another path, this one patrolled by a family in charge of collecting the entry fee. The littlest toll agent, about 2, posed for a picture - a "Toddlers and Tiaras" head tilt, hand to cheek, cherubic smile. She was a pro, probably conditioned by many Westerners' requests for a photo.
We completed the entire boardwalk, with a detour at a Buddhist temple, then drove to the other side of the lake, from where we'd heard the strangled croaks of karaoke singers.
The 110-acre Kandawgyi Nature Park is an escapist's flight of tropical trees, flowers and elephant statues - the ideal place to picnic and belt out Burmese standards. At the water's edge, Win prodded me to step out onto a platform and take a photo of Shwedagon Pagoda in the distance.
I imagine that all of Win's tour-goers snap the same photo of the golden stupa reflected in the lake's unbroken mirror. But I'm not sure that everyone knows that Win is a Wednesday-born.
When you meet a local, he or she probably won't grill you about which day of the week you were born on. But it's a handy bit of information to have. For example, at Shwedagon Pagoda, Win showed me a pillar of spiritual animal sculptures designating each day of the week (Wednesday earns two mentions, one for morning and one for evening).
I wanted to know: Was I a lion, a tiger or a rat? And to go even deeper into the universe's personality chart: Was my dominant trait funny, garrulous or stingy? I needed professional help to find the answers.
Palm readers and astrologers congregate around Yangon's temples and parks, eager to reveal your future for a few kyat. Win initially dissuaded me from a session, warning of a potential scam. The clairvoyant, he said, would discern a negative fortune and then request more money to reverse the bad luck.
But I ignored his advice when I saw Su Su's serene moon face through an open door near Sule Pagoda. She seemed honest and professional with her desk, computer and astrology charts pinned to the wall. Plus, according to a storefront sign, she had a B.S.C., which I assumed was a bachelor's certificate in the science of cosmology.
Su Su won even Win over. When she opened up the floor for questions, he asked her whether Wednesday mornings (me) and evenings (him) make a compatible love match. They're "good friends," she said, wise to his line of inquiry.
I had a cushy journey to Golden Rock in Mon state: a five-hour drive from Yangon, with leisurely stops at temples in Bago, at a World War II cemetery outside Yangon and at a Chinese restaurant with views of rice paddies; an open-air truck ride with a prime seat beside the side railing; and a sprightly hike to the top carrying a feather-light bag.
Other pilgrims, however, often endure more arduous trips to one of Myanmar's most sacred Buddhist sites. Setting out from ethnic tribal villages, they may spend 15 hours in a cramped public bus and six hours trekking along a steep forested trail leading to the giant nugget.
Their backs may bend under the weight of camping gear and fidgety children. Their feet, especially those of hermits and monks, may be bare.
Still, over the past decade and a half, the trip has improved significantly for all adventurers. Eight years ago, the road from Bago to Kinpun village, the entry point to the rock, was as rough and rutted as an elephant hide; now, cars skate over the smooth pavement. And about 15 years back, visitors could reach the boulder and pagoda atop Mount Kyaiktiyo only by foot. Today, hefty trucks run guests up the serpentine road, though some still prefer the traditional approach.
"They like to visit the forest," said my guide, as we watched figures disappear into nature's waiting arms. "They like to feel the trees."
A more recent change is also occurring: Slowly and steadily, more Europeans, Americans and Australians are showing up at the rock. I wasn't the lone Western cowgirl.
During my trip-planning stage, I would have thought otherwise. I'd unearthed scant information about the attraction; my (granted, outdated) Lonely Planet guidebook ignored it entirely. Even my travel agent, Marcia Selva, who has visited Myanmar about 25 times over 16 years, has never ventured to the site.
On the day of my visit, though, I could take credit only for being the sole Canadian-born, Massachusetts-raised Washington resident. I identified Swedes, Norwegians, Germans, French and an Italian woman, who frustratingly yelled at the rushing mob, "The queue is over here," pointing behind her.
But I don't want to overstate the Western contingent. I still saw dozens of cheeks and noses covered in thanaka, the yellowish cosmetic paste Burmese wear as sun protection and decoration (the pressed leaf pattern is particularly popular). We all stood together, plain and powdered faces, waiting for the truck.
The roofless vehicles depart from a covered loading dock in the center of a village that knows its customers. Strolling vendors sell sun hats, many frilly with lace and fake flowers, and bottled water. Locals cook up fried bark that tastes of crispy onions and offer samples of homemade fruit jams.
Outside simple huts, craftsmen array their bamboo wares, including storage shelves and toy guns with wire triggers that emit a loud pop when squeezed. Inscribed on the firearms, curiously, were the letters "USA." There were also some phrases in Burmese script.
"I'll shoot you if you don't love me," Win translated for me. "All the women in the village will be widows."
He laughed at the jokey phrases; I grimaced at the violent connotations and the misperception of America as a land of gun-wielding Rambos. Wednesday-borns don't always chuckle in harmony, but maybe, through continued exposure and exchanges, we can strip away the false imagery and reveal the true nature of our cultures. If only I'd brought a Bob Dylan compilation to share with Win.
Boarding the truck requires patience and an internal cooling system. The imperfect procedure starts with a mad scramble to the waiting vehicle and a climb up a rickety ladder, though some prefer to jump in from the opposite side.
Then you wait in the heat, sticking to your seatmate, as the driver tries to pack more people onto the long benches. Just when you think they've reached the 40-person maximum, another two people wedge themselves into the space once occupied by your elbow.
Once we were on the way, though, the cool mountain air wicked off my sweat, and the jumble of bodies snapped into place like Legos. The truck rambled up the hill, teetering around switchbacks, storming up the steeps, groaning and grunting for 30 minutes or so. And then it stopped.
It could go no farther. Now it was up to our legs - or porters bearing visitors on Cleopatra-style stretchers - to carry us to the finish line.
So, you may ask, what would compel one to travel such great distances, sacrificing essential electrolytes and personal space? The legend will tell you in its own words.
About 2,000 years ago, a hermit possessed a hair from Buddha's head. The king requested the relic; negotiations between the parties ensued. The hermit finally ceded the tress, but only on the condition that a spirit lift from the bottom of the sea a giant boulder shaped like a hermit head, enshrine the hair in the granite and set the whole arrangement on a precarious perch.
As a final flourish (to the shrine, not the legend), a pagoda was placed atop the rock like a party hat, and both pieces received the gold-leaf treatment. (Spoiler alert: Every three to five years, the attraction undergoes renovations that hide its golden face behind a bamboo mask. My visit coincided with the weeks-long project.)
"When I was 7," admitted Win, as we stood beside a smaller golden rock representing the spirit's boat, "I pushed the rock and felt it move." Fortunately, Buddha's hair has the strength of Super Glue and the ability to foil a child's antics.
Despite the sacred nature of Golden Rock, the surrounding scene sizzled like a state fair. On a vast concrete terrace, visitors sprawled on blankets eating sticky rice and curry purchased from a row of food stands. Children chased electric toys and one another.
Masseurs rubbed the knotted muscles of pilgrims, their hands slick with a blend of mountain goat oil and herbs stored in whiskey bottles.
Families snapped photos of each other and of me, considered a lucky charm and a novelty because of my Western physique. (I learned of my uniqueness at Shwemawdaw Temple in Bago, when a group from the Karen tribe requested a group portrait with me.
I'm also in the photo album of members of the Mon race, including a young man who giggled and blushed when I flung my arm around his shoulder.)
Closer to the rock itself, the pageantry grew more solemn and spiritual. The air turned thick with burning incense, the curling smoke smudging the dark outlines of praying Buddhists. Bodies rose and fell, hands clasped, foreheads touching the ground.
The magnitude of the moment was intense. Even the sight of Golden Rock swaddled in bamboo matting couldn't shake the worshipers' veneration. The light of Buddha can shine through any renovation project.
I felt so guilty.
No, not for that reason. My conscience was all red in the face because I was lounging on Ngapali Beach and not racing around the temples of the ancient city of Bagan or the floating villages of Inle Lake. I was acting like an irresponsible sightseer. But - excuse me, may I have another mai tai? - I got over it.
In my defense, my time on the two-mile strand in Rakhine state, on the west coast, was not completely self-indulgent. It was only 99 percent fluff.
In pursuit of my 1 percent of dutiful tourism, I left the pampered side of the beach - the one salted with resort chaise longues and peppered with restaurant chalkboards touting drink specials and fresh seafood - for the industrious side.
In the dimming afternoon sun, young Myanmar men heaved nets onto bobbing boats, preparing for an evening run. Mothers tended to children, who often broke free to push a shell into the palm of a passerby. An older child wrote "my name is" in English, using his finger as a pencil and the sand as paper. He beamed at the American.
To pull out the old trope: Ngapali is Thailand's Phuket 30 years ago. At this early stage of development, village bungalows outnumber hotels. Bikes, tuk-tuks and oxcarts dominate the main road, a single thread paralleling the beach. Silvery fish still sun-dry on blue tarps, as they had the day before and last year and a decade ago.
I cruised around on a rickety bike like Mister Rogers, waving to the neighbors. I stopped in at Ngapali Art Gallery, where the artist invited me into his studio. He handed me a bottle of water and directed me to the couch, across from a portrait of a Frenchman.
We talked about Kandinsky and metaphysics, and he shared his struggles as a Muslim and a minority in Myanmar. As the sky started to darken, he escorted me to my bike. He continued to talk, lamenting the cronyism that still pervades the government and the uncertainty that still hangs over the country. We shook hands, a strong shake between friends, and I pedaled off.
The next morning, I had to fly back to Yangon, but I had one unresolved issue rattling around in my brain. After breakfast, I walked down to the shore, stuck a toe in the clear water and jumped into the Bay of Bengal.
Now, I had no regrets.
Myanmar's tourism infrastructure is still developing, so you might need some help securing lodging, arranging tours and booking internal transportation. I used Global Spectrum (800-419-4446, globalspectrumtravel.com) in Fairfax, Va., which planned my week-long trip, including guides and private car to Golden Rock.
For the most part, the country does not accept credit cards. You'll need to bring cash (anywhere from $500 to $1,000), preferably in crisp new bills. (The currency exchange booths may reject wrinkled bills.)
A visa is required. Allow at least two weeks for processing.Travel health experts suggest a typhoid shot and malaria pills, depending on your itinerary.
Yuzana Garden Hotel, 44 Alan Pya Pagoda St., Yangon, 011-95-1-248944
Nearly 40 spacious rooms (with air-conditioning) in a colonial building near the center of town. Restaurant, fitness center, outdoor pool, computers with WiFi and a very helpful staff. Buffet breakfast included. From $180.
Mountain Top Hotel, Near Golden Rock Pagoda, Kyaikto, 011-95-9-8718392
Nearest hotel to Golden Rock. Some rooms require a steep climb, but are worth it for the view. On-site restaurant; breakfast included. From $120.
Thande Beach Hotel, Ngapali Beach, Thandwe, 011-95-4342278
Dreamy bungalow-style accommodations, with restaurants, swimming pool and bike rentals ($6 a day). Breakfast and airport transfer included. From $145.
Angel Seafood Restaurant, Mya Bein Village, Ngapali, 011-9-49678639
In a small fishing village near the row of hotels. Serves fresh fish and Burmese specialties, such as mixed seafood curry. Main dishes roughly $3 to $6.
Aung Thuka, 17/A First St., West Shwegondaing, Yangon, 011-95-1-525194
Local joint serves Burmese-style meat, fish and vegetable dishes buffet-style. About 60 cents for veggie dishes to $2.70 for meat selections.
Shwedagon Pagoda, Ar Za Nir Street, Yangon,
Covered in gold leaf and studded with jewels, this is Myanmar's top Buddhist pilgrimage site. Two museums on property. Best to visit at sunrise and sunset. Daily 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., $6.
Golden Rock, Kyaikto, Mon State
Trucks transport visitors from $1.75 one way. You can ride to the top or hike the last section. Access to Golden Rock is always open. $6.
Ngapali Art Gallery, Lin Thar Village, Ngapali Beach, 011-95-09-8516436
Peruse the paintings and chat up the artist.
INFORMATION myanmar-tourism.com
- The Washington Post


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Jaguar Men's Soccer News 2005 National Champion, National Runner-up 2004, 2007, 2009
Rodriguez, Dunstan named to All-America team
The National Junior College Athletic Association recently selected Georgia Perimeter College standouts Brayan Rodriguez and Jordan Dunstan to the 2013 Division 1 men's soccer All-America team.
A sophomore striker, Rodriguez was named to the All-America second team, while Dunstan, a sophomore defender, made the third team. Both played for the Jaguars in 2011 but were red-shirted in the 2012 season.
Another Georgia Perimeter soccer player, Alexandria Truitt, was named to the NJCAA women's Division 1 All-America team for the second time. Read more at the GPC women's soccer site.
Rodriguez spearheaded the Jaguars' attack, finishing the season with 15 goals and 16 assists for 46 points. He led the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (Region 17 of the NJCAA) in assists and ranked second in points and third in goals. The region coaches named him Co-MVP of the conference, an honor which he shared with the league's leading scorer, Darton State's Darwin Espinal.
"Brayan played big for us in big games at big times all season," GPC head coach Marc Zagara said. "Glad to see his accomplishments rewarded with this honor."
In 2011 Rodriguez tallied 42 points on 12 goals and had 18 assists, so his career total comes to 88 points, one of the highest totals in Jaguar history.
He was oddly overlooked for the All-GCAA team in 2011, but this year, in addition to the Co-MVP honor, he was selected to the all-conference first team and the all-tournament team.
Dunstan, who was the Jaguars' center back two years ago but a fixture at left fullback this fall, also was named to the All-Region 17 first team. The 6-5 sophomore dominated attackers, goes high on headers, has a very powerful leg and throws in from near midfield to the box like it's a free kick.
He posted two assists this year and in 2011 scored two goals and had two assists for eight points.
"Jordan had two good years for us and was a bit unlucky," Zagara said. "He and Brayan both lost a region championship their freshman year in double overtime and this past year lost the championship game in penalty kicks. A couple of good breaks and they win two championships and advance to the national tournament with teams that could have been dangerous there."
This season the duo led Georgia Perimeter to a 14-2-3 record. In the GCAA championship game, the Jaguars tied Eastern Florida State College 2-2 but lost 3-1 on penalty kicks.
In the final NJCAA poll, issued after the national tournament, Georgia Perimeter was ranked No. 8, finishing higher than six teams that went to nationals.
Also named to the 2013 All-America team were two other players from Region 17, which is also known as the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. Both played for Darton—Espinal, a freshman forward, made the first team and sophomore midfielder Alejandro Garcia was selected to the third team.
Rodriguez hails from Mableton and Pebblebrook High School, while Dunstan is from Mississisauga, Canada, and Rick Hansen Secondary School. Acccording to Zagara, both are being recruited heavily by four-year universities.
"They will have their choice of where to go," Zagara said. "Happy for both of them."
View the complete list of players on the NJCAA Division 1 All-America team. View the final NJCAA men's soccer Division 1 national rankings.
Jaguars dominate GCAA awards; Rodriguez earns league's Co-MVP
Brayan Rodriguez earned a coveted Co-MVP trophy, and the Georgia Perimeter College Jaguars placed seven players, more than any other team, on the all-conference team announced by the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association last week.
Additionally, four of the seven Jaguars were named to the GCAA's all-tournament team, also more than any team in the tournament. The league's coaches select the players to the All-GCAA team, and participating coaches select the all-tournament team.
Not only did Rodriguez, a sophomore forward, make both teams, all-tournament and first team all-conference, but he also was named GCAA Co-Most Valuable Player. He shared the award with Darwin Espinal of Darton State College.
Jordan Dunstan, Kyle Johnston and Oumar Mbodj joined Rodriguez on the 11-man All-GCAA first team, while Diego Fagundez, Kioki Hutchings and T.J. Carter were selected to the second team.
Named to the all-tournament team along with Rodriguez were Hutchings, Dunstan and Mbodj.
The only team close to that number of awards is the Jaguars' rival, Darton State, which had three on each team, first, second and all-tournament. Darton's Bart Sasnett was voted GCAA Coach of the Year.
Rodriguez, who played for the Jaguars in 2011 (12 goals, 18 assists) but was red-shirted last year, finished this season with 46 points on 15 goals and 16 assists (34 career assists is unusually high for a striker). He led the GCAA in assists and was second in points and third in goals.
In a 2-1 comeback victory over defending champion Darton State, Rodriguez scored on a header that was professional quality. A half-bicycle game-tying volley—scored against Eastern Florida State College in the GCAA championship match—was spectacular.
"Brayan was hurt his entire freshman season and still did a great job," said GPC head coach Marc Zagara. "This past season he was big time. He scored big goals in big games at big times. At the beginning of the year, I said we didn't have any stars on the team. I was wrong. He was a star."
Dunstan—no doubt a star—also played for the Jaguars in 2011, and was a backbone of the defense then and this year at left fullback. He handed out two assists, produced impressive headers and his Premier League throw-ins and powerful free kicks often provided scoring opportunities for the offense.
Johnston, a freshman from Toledo, Ohio, led the GCAA in goals against average—0.87—which also is a tribute to the midfield and defensive line (Dunstan, Fagundez and Roberto Chavarria). He allowed nine goals in 14 appearances, 932 minutes, notched two shutouts, shared two shutouts, had 62 saves and led the conference with a .873 saves percentage.
That Mbodj made the GCAA first team and the all-tournament team is a tribute to the respect he commanded from opposing coaches as an impact center midfielder. Although the red-shirt freshman finished with no goals and only two assists, his utter dominance of the midfield was key to the Jaguars' success.
Anchoring the back line, Fagundez is another Dunstan-style big man with a powerful kick and great heading ability. From the Jaguars' season-opening kickoff, the freshman from Atlanta played like a seasoned sophomore, making big plays at center back. He scored two goals, one on a penalty kick that defeated Georgia Military 1-0.
Another big play freshman, forward T.J. Carter rolled up 20 points on six goals and eight assists. He produced perhaps the top highlight play of the season during that defeat of Darton. Carter sent a brilliant cross into the box that Rodriguez expertly headed into the goal to tie the game 1-1 in the 78th minute.
In 2012 Hutchings tallied a goal and an assist for the Jaguars. This year the sophomore forward-midfielder provided lightning speed to the attack, scoring seven goals and dishing off one key assist for 15 points. The assist demonstrated his knack for making clutch plays—he passed to Evans Ikpeoha for the game-winning goal in GPC's victory over Darton.
GPC produced a nine-game winning streak during the season and a 7-1 record in the GCAA, which serves as Region 17 of the National Junior College Athletic Association. The Jaguars finished with a 14-2-3 record and only a couple of missed shots and penalty kicks shy of winning the GCAA and returning to nationals.
Co-MVPs: Brayan Rodriguez, Georgia Perimeter, Darwin Espinal, Darton State. Coach of the Year: Bart Sasnett, Darton.
First Team
Goalkeeper: Kyle Johnston, Georgia Perimeter. Defenders: Jordan Dunstan, Georgia Perimeter; Omari Walker, Georgia Military College; Theo Brown, Darton. Midfielders: Oumar Mbodj , Georgia Perimeter; Alejandro Garcia, Darton; Andrew Preston, Middle Georgia State. Forwards: Brayan Rodriguez,Georgia Perimeter; Darwin Espinal, Darton; Levi Lewis, Middle Georgia; Tomide Adabale, Georgia Military.
Second Team
Goalkeeper: Adam Cahill, Darton. Defenders: Diego Fagundez, Georgia Perimeter; Carlos Sandoval, Middle Georgia; Tony Baza, Andrew; Enrique Bello, Darton. Midfielders: Kioki Hutchings, Georgia Perimeter; Teemu Vaarakallio - Georgia Military; Diogenes Medeiros, Andrew College; Jorge Chirinos, Darton. Forwards: T.J. Carter, Georgia Perimeter; Damieon Thomas, Georgia Military
Georgia Perimeter: Brayan Rodriguez, Kioki Hutchings, Jordan Dunstan, Oumar Mbodj. Darton: Theo Brown, Adam Cahill, Alejandro Garcia. Georgia Military: Taylor Dell, Damieon Thomas. Middle Georgia: Casey Zwitch. Andrew: Jose Antonito Baza.
GPC season ends with heartbreaker; Eastern Florida wins Georgia's crown
Penalty kicks are among the most excruciating ways to lose (or win) in sports, and it happened again to the Jaguars in a postseason classic, as they came up short in a double overtime-PK marathon.
Georgia Perimeter College tied Eastern Florida State College 2-2 in Sunday's Region 8-Region 17 championship match but the team from the Sunshine State will be the one to advance in the postseason playoffs.
After the Jaguars rallied to tie the match twice, and the regulation draw wasn't broken by two 10-minute overtimes, the Titans bested GPC 3-1 in penalty kicks.
"We've lost three or four of those in the postseason over the years," said head coach Marc Zagara. "Before the game, the broadcaster (Mike Ridaught) asked what would be the keys to the game and I said, 'You have to have a little luck.' We didn't."
Eastern Florida, located in Melbourne, now advances to host Saturday's Southeast District Championship against Louisburg College, the Region 10-Region 22 champion. The winner will go to the NJCAA national tournament in Tyler, Texas.
Georgia Perimeter's season ends with a 14-2-3 record. One of the two losses was to Eastern Florida by a score of 2-1 in September.
GPC controlled possession throughout much of the game but couldn't get the game-winner into the net in the frantic final minutes. Then the Jaguars stumbled in the penalty kick phase, missing three shots.
In the 14th minute of the match, Eastern Florida (13-1-1) took a 1-0 lead with a corner kick that led to a goal. Arturo Roosen scored, assisted by Brandon Loafman and Keenan King.
But with 29 seconds left in the first period, sophomore forward Brayan Rodriguez scored on a phenomenal half-bicycle volley to send the game into the intermission tied at 1-1. Yusef Seodi assisted by getting the ball to him through heavy traffic in front of the goal, and, back to the goal, Rodriguez' sidewinder sent it into the upper left shelf from about seven yards out.
In the second half, Eastern again took the lead on a play that indicated not enough luck was going GPC's way. Loafman scored on a direct kick with a header that trickled the ball across the goal line. King earned an assist.
GPC maintained possession throughout much of the remainder of the game, which boiled down to an old-fashioned limb-entangled, back-climbing wrestling match. Jaguar goalkeeper Kyle Johnston pounced on a couple of shots, including a dangerous one-on-one run, and the midfield and defensive back line held firm to turn the ball over to the offense repeatedly.
Then T.J. Carter dribbled down the right side and crossed to Evans Ikpeoha, running on the left post. Ikpeoha boomed it in to tie the game 2-2 with 9:24 left in the game.
The battle went into overtimes, and it was an even struggle. The Jaguars finished regulation play and the overtimes with 13 shots on goal, and Eastern Florida took 17. Johnston had 15 saves, and Eastern's Jorge Madera had 11.
When the overtimes didn't resolve the tie, each team received five penalty kicks to settle the matter via best-of-five.
On GPC's first two attempts, Alejandro Mendoza and Devin Pope missed wide right and wide left, respectively. Meanwhile, Manuel Goldberg and Khori Foster drove the Titans' first two kicks past Johnston.
Down 2-0, Carter stepped to the line with overwhelming pressure. He sent a hard grounder into the left corner of the net to keep the Jags alive.
But Jordan Muir sailed the third Eastern PK into the top right corner for a 3-1 lead. That meant GPC had to hit its last two attempts and pray the Titans missed theirs.
Kevin Naranjo kicked a high ball that Titan keeper Jorge Madera deflected over the crossbar, giving his team the championship.
"I think we played about as well as we could play," Zagara said. "We improved this season and I'm grateful for that."
GPC entered the championship match with a nine-game winning streak and a 7-1 record in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (Region 17 of the NJCAA). This was the Jaguars' ninth appearance in the championship game in 11 years. During that stretch GPC went to nationals six straight years, winning the NJCAA championship in 2005 and finishing second in 2004, 2007 and 2009.
That 2009 national championship game also ended in penalty kicks. After battling Tyler College (Texas) to a double overtime 0-0 tie, the Jaguars lost the PK's 5-3. In 2007 Georgia Perimeter lost the championship match 3-3 (5-4 penalty kicks) to Yavapai College (Ariz.).
Eastern Florida, an upstart start-up playing its first season in men's soccer, was sent to the Georgia tournament because Florida's Region 8 has only one other soccer program, Broward County Community College, which Eastern dominated.
The preseason arrangement became a little bizarre. Eastern Florida won all seven of its regular-season games against Georgia teams and was ranked No. 4 in the NJCAA national poll. However, the Titans automatically were seeded fourth in the tournament, behind GPC and Darton State, ranked sixth and fifth, respectively, in the national poll.
So, the Georgia champion this year is the fourth seed, a team from Florida.
Web video broadcasts of the semifinals and championship game can be viewed with links at www.gpc.edu/athletic under "Game Webcasts."
First Half
Eastern Florida State College, 14:00, Arturo Roosen (Brandon Loafman & Keenan King)
Georgia Perimeter, 44:00, Brayan Rodriguez (Yusef Seodi)
Second Half
Eastern Florida State College, 55:00, Brandon Loafman (Keenan King)
Georgia Perimeter, 81:00, Evans Ikpeoha (T.J. Carter)
First Overtime
(No scoring)
Second Overtime
(No scoring)
Penalty Kicks
Georgia Perimeter, Alejandro Mendoza, miss
Eastern Florida, Manuel Goldberg, goal
Georgia Perimeter, Devin Pope, miss
Eastern Florida, Khori Foster, goal
Georgia Perimeter, T.J. Carter, goal
Eastern Florida, Jordan Muir, goal
Georgia Perimeter, Kevin Naranjo, miss
Eastern Florida wins penalty kicks 3-1
To watch web video broadcasts of the championship game or semifinals, click on the link under "Game Webcasts" at www.gpc.edu/athletic.Nov. 2, 2013
Jags return to championship game with 4-1 semifinal win over GMC
A classic textbook combination gave Georgia Perimeter College the eventual game-winning goal in a 4-1 victory over Georgia Military College at the region semifinals Saturday in Albany.
With the score tied 1-1 midway through the first half on the Darton State College field, Brayan Rodriguez gathered in a pass and ran on the left goalpost. Rodriguez waited until Georgia Military goalkeeper Susjed Garcia left the net, then slipped a cross to T.J. Carter, who was poaching the right post. Carter drilled it into the open right side of the goal from five yards out.
Georgia Perimeter (14-2-2), riding a nine-game winning streak, advances to Sunday's NJCAA Region 8-Region 17 championship game with Eastern Florida State College. Eastern Florida defeated host Darton 2-0 in Saturday evening's semifinal.
Sunday's kickoff will be at approximately 2 p.m., depending on the length of the women's Region 17 title match.
Kioki Hutchings blitzed the Bulldog defense and put GPC on the board early with a goal in the third minute. Brayan Rodriguez was credited with an assist.
Georgia Military (8-5) bounced back six minutes later to tie it with a combination by the Bulldogs' dynamic duo—Damieon Thomas scored with an assist by Tomide Adabale.
After Carter broke the tie in the 25th minute, Kevin Naranjo scored a spectacular goal in the 25th minute to put the Jaguars up at halftime 2-0. Evans Ikpeoha assisted with a pass to Naranjo, who from about 25 yards out blasted it into far upper shelf of the net with his left foot.
In the 56th minute, Hutchings closed out the scoring with his second goal, a drive from the right side of the box in heavy traffic, and Rodriguez earned his third assist.
Georgia Perimeter peppered Garcia with 14 shots on goal, and he saved 10. Jaguar goalkeeper Kyle Johnston was well protected by an iron wall—the defense permitted only five SOG's, four saved by Johnston. GPC dominated the battle of midfield, rarely allowing the Bulldogs to reach their attack zone.
Sunday, the Jaguars, ranked sixth in this week's NJCAA national poll, will get a second chance at No. 4 Eastern Florida. In September the Titans, playing the school's first season of soccer, downed GPC 2-1 on a rainy-day-soaked-field in Dunwoody.
After playing in the championship game in eight of the previous nine years, GPC missed it last year with a loss to South Georgia State in the semifinals.
The winner of Sunday's match will host to the Southeastern District championship game on Nov. 9, playing the winner of the NJCAA Region 10-Region 22 championship match Sunday in Lancaster, S.C.
Darton, ranked fifth nationally and the top seed in the tournament via a 5-2 goal differential in the season split with GPC, regrettably drew Eastern Florida in the semifinal because only two NJCAA Region 8 colleges have soccer programs, Eastern and Broward County. The Region 8 regular season series winner was assigned to what normally is the GCAA tournament, but this year should be called the Region 8-Region 17 tournament.
Although higher than Darton and Georgia Perimeter in the national poll, Eastern was automatically seeded fourth and had to defeat Middle Georgia College 4-3 Wednesday to reach the semifinals. Third-seeded Georgia Military beat No. 6 Andrew College 2-0 Wednesday to advance to the semifinal bracket.
Fans can watch the championship game on Web TV at 2 p.m., presented by Jockjive.com. The link is available at www.gpc.edu/athletic or simply click here to watch the game.
First Half
Georgia Perimeter, 3:00, Kioki Hutchings (Brayan Rodriguez)
Georgia Military, 9:00, Damieon Thomas (Tomide Adabale)
Georgia Perimeter, 25:00, T.J. Carter (Brayan Rodriguez)
Georgia Perimeter, 42:00, Kevin Naranjo (Evans Ikpeoha)
Second Half
Georgia Perimeter, 56:00, Kioki Hutchings (Brayan Rodriguez)
The NJCAA Region 8-Region 17 championship game will be held at Darton State College, 2400 Gillionville Rd., Albany, GA 31707.October 26, 2013
Jaguars rally with two quick goals; extend winning streak to eight straight
Down a goal late in the first half, Georgia Perimeter College got back-to-back strikes from Brayan Rodriguez and Eduardo Guevara and held on for a 2-1 victory over the Oglethorpe JVs Saturday at Oglethorpe.
The Jaguars (13-2-2) extended their winning streak to eight games, heading into next weekend's Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament with momentum.
Oglethorpe scored a team goal in the 30th minute for a 1-0 lead. But Rodriguez tied it in the 38th minute, getting an assist from Bransom Garcia.
A minute later Guevara scored with an assist from Kevin Naranjo. That sent GPC into the halftime break with a 2-1 lead, and the defense took over from there. Neither team scored in the second half.
Kyle Johnston and Bryan Sanchez split the goalkeeping duties evenly for the Jaguars. Johnston, who leads the GCAA in goals against average (0.74), had 3 saves in the first half of four shots on goal.
Sanchez, third in the conference with a 1.54 goals against average, worked the scoreless second half and saved the only two shots sent his way.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars, ranked eighth in the NJCAA national poll, bombarded the Stormy Petrels with 22 shots and 14 shots on goal.
Next Saturday, Nov. 2, the second-seeded Jaguars travel south for the semifinals of the GCAA tournament at Darton State College in Albany. The championship game will be played on Sunday at 1 p.m.
GPC and Darton, the top seed, have byes in Wednesday's quarterfinals, in which Eastern Florida State plays at Middle Georgia and Andrew visits Georgia Military. The Jaguars will face the Andrew-Georgia Military winner Friday in the first semifinal match at 4 p.m.
Jockjive.com will video webcast the tournament with links at www.gpc.edu/athletic.
First Half
Oglethorpe JV, 30:00, Team
Georgia Perimeter, 38:00, Brayan Rodriguez (Brandom Garcia)
Georgia Perimeter, 39:00, Eduardo Guevara (Kevin Naranjo)
Second Half
(No scoring)
The NJCAA Region 8-Region 17 tournament will be held at Darton State College, 2400 Gillionville Rd., Albany, GA 31707.October 22, 2013
Naranjo strikes in second overtime for victory
Sophomore midfielder Kevin Naranjo scored a goal late in the second 10-minute overtime to give Georgia Perimeter College a 3-2 win over Spartanburg Methodist College Tuesday in Spartanburg, S.C.
Evans Ikpeoha assisted Naranjo's goal in the 109th minute of the game to prevent a 2-2 draw.
Thanks to a goal and an assist by Brayan Rodriguez, Georgia Perimeter (12-2-2) led through most of regulation play. But the Jaguars allowed two own goals in the 80th and 85th minutes, letting the match slip into overtime.
Rodriguez scored in the 13th minute of the match with an assist by T.J. Carter, and Luke Nonyane gave GPC a 2-0 halftime lead with a goal in the 32nd minute on Rodriguez' corner kick.
Jaguar goalkeeper Kyle Johnston made seven saves out of the nine shots on goal allowed by the defense. GPC launched 17 shots at the net, and Pioneer keeper Tanner Eggers saved 14. GPC had the advantage in corner kicks, taking six and permitting none.
The Jaguars defeated Spartanburg 2-0 in September when the Pioneers were ranked 10th in the NJCAA national poll and GPC was 16th. In the current poll, GPC is eighth and Spartanburg (11-5) is listed as receiving votes.
Saturday the Jaguars close out the regular season at home, hosting Oglethorpe's JV team, which GPC defeated 3-2 three weeks ago.
Georgia Perimeter will be the second seed in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament Nov. 2-3 at Darton State College in Albany.
Darton State and GPC finished with identical 7-1 records in the conference, but Darton won the home-and-away goal differential to win the top seed. The Jaguars will face third-seeded Georgia Military College in the Nov. 2 semifinals.
The tournament will be video webcast with links at www.gpc.edu/athletic.
First Half
Georgia Perimeter, 13:00, Brayan Rodriguez (T.J. Carter)
Georgia Perimeter, 32:00, Luke Nonyane (Brayan Rodriguez)
Second Half
Spartanburg Methodist, 80:00, Team
Spartanburg Methodist, 85:00, Team
First Overtime
No scoring
Second Overtime
Georgia Perimeter, 109:00, Kevin Naranjo (Evans Ikpeoha)
Hutchings collects 2 goals; Jags roll to 7th straight win
The Georgia Perimeter College Jaguars may be peaking at the right time.
After a huge 2-1 win Saturday over rival Darton State—the No. 2 team in the NJCAA polls—the No. 12 Jags kept rolling Tuesday, shutting out the third-place team in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association at Jaguar Field in Dunwoody.
Kioki Hutchings scored two goals as Georgia Perimeter (10-2-2, 7-1 GCAA), blanked Georgia Military College 5-0. A week ago GMC threw a scare into the Jaguars when the two teams battled hard, and GPC managed to come away with a 1-0 squeaker.
Tuesday, it was another defensive gem by the Jaguars. Goalkeepers Kyle Johnston (60 minutes) and Bryan Sanchez (30) saw only five shots on goal by GMC. Johnston saved three, and Sanchez two.
Offensively, Hutchings scored two quick goals, and the Jaguars continued to produce a strong possession game, working combinations that kept pressure on the Bulldogs, who slipped to 9-4, 3-4. All of GMC's losses have been to Darton and Georgia Perimeter.
Hutchings struck in the fourth minute and again in the 12th. Yusef Seodi and Brayan Rodriguez earned assists.
The 2-0 margin held through the first half, but within 13 minutes after the break, GPC posted its final three goals.
T.J. Carter, Jhovany Contreras and Roberto Chavarria all found the net, while assists went to Contreras, defender Jordan Dunston and Rodriguez.
Dunston's assist came with his hands, one of his patented monster throw-ins that Contreras headed in. Rodriguez got his second assist with an indirect kick that Chavarria forwarded into the goal.
GPC sent 11 shots on goal toward Bulldog keeper Susjed Garcia, who saved six.
The Jaguars get a little rest and then hit the road next Tuesday, visiting 20th ranked Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist College. In a September home match, GPC blanked Spartanburg 2-0.
First Half
4:00, Kioki Hutchings (Yusef Seodi)
12:00, Kioki Hutchings (Brayan Rodriguez)
Second Half
50:00, T.J. Carter (Jhovany Contreras)
53:00, Jhovany Contreras (Jordan Dunston)
58:00, Roberto Chavarria (Brayan Rodriguez)
Rodriguez and Ikpeoha net late goals as No. 10 Jaguars ambush No. 2 Darton
Brayan Rodriguez and Evans Ikpeoha scored dazzling goals in the final 13 minutes and Georgia Perimeter College stunned conference-leading Darton State College 2-1 Saturday at Jaguar Field in Dunwoody.
Trailing 1-0 from the second minute of the game, the Jaguars, ranked 10th in the NJCAA coaches' poll, dominated the second half and most of the first in upsetting the nation's second-ranked team.
Rodriguez and T.J. Carter teamed up to tie the game in the 78th minute with a highlight-reel play, and in the 87th Ikpeoha took a pass from Kioki Hutchings and booted in the game-winner through heavy traffic.
"The boys worked real hard—they came to play," Jaguar head coach Marc Zagara said. "They not only played a good game against a good team, they played a good game against a good team and beat them. So, we're moving in the right direction."
With the victory—Georgia Perimeter's sixth straight—the Jaguars improved to 10-2-2 overall and 6-1 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association, moving into first place, a half game ahead of Darton (11-2-1, 5-1). They also exacted a measure of retribution for a 4-1 road loss at Darton in August.
Saturday was a defensive masterpiece by the GPC midfielders, back line and goalkeeper Kyle Johnston. They stopped the league's third leading scorer, Alejandro Garcia, and top scorer, Darwin Espinal. Espinal had racked up three of the Cavaliers' four goals against GPC in August.
Still, Darton showed its pedigree (three-straight GCAA championships, NJCAA semifinalist) and opened Saturday's match with a quick goal in the second minute by David Lazarof. Espinal had a hand in it, sending a pass from the left end line to Lazarof in the penalty box, and the big defender blasted the ball into the right corner of the goal.
Throughout the remainder of the half, the Jaguars displayed an excellent possession game, winning the battle of the midfield and building good combinations in the attack zone.
The Jags decidedly dominated the second half, possessing the ball even more. Whereas the Cavaliers sent seven shots on goal in the first period, they managed only three in the latter half.
With 12:12 remaining, Rodriguez tied it up with a stunner, heading in a cross that Carter sent from the right corner into the box. Running in straight on the goal, Rodriguez leapt high and headed the ball into the goal from eight yards out.
"T.J. started it," Zagara said. "He won a 50-50 ball at midfield, had a good run down the line, beat the guy with speed, turned the corner and sent a perfect cross into the box. And Brayan looked like a World Cup striker with that header. You can work on that play all day in practice with an open net and not get it like that."
With only 2:46 left on the clock, Hutchings and Ikpeoha won the game with another eye-opener. From the left side, Hutchings passed the ball to Kikpeoha, who was surrounded by a crowd of red jerseys in the penalty box about 10 yards from the goal.
Ikpeoha trapped it, performed some fancy right-left footwork and drove it, left-footed, through two defenders and past Darton goalkeeper Adam Cahill.
The Jaguars totaled 13 shots on goal, with Cahill earning 11 saves. Johnston, who leads the GCAA with a 0.52 goals against average—which is eighth nationally—saved nine of Darton's 10 SOG's.
The schedule isn't getting any easier for the Jaguars in the upcoming weeks. Tuesday the GCAA's third-place team, Georgia Military College—a team receiving votes in the NJCAA poll—comes to Jaguar Field for a 3 p.m. match. GPC defeated the Bulldogs 1-0 last week in another pitched battle.
Then on Tuesday, October 22, the Jaguars visit Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist College, which is ranked No. 20. Last month GPC beat Spartanburg 2-0 at home.
First Half
Darton, 2:00, David Lazarof (Darwin Espinal)
Second Half
Georgia Perimeter, 78:00, Brayan Rodriguez (T.J. Carter)
Georgia Perimeter, 87:00, Evans Ikpeoha (1) (Kioki Hutchings)
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.October 8, 2013
Jaguars extend win streak to five
Evans Ikpeoha scored two goals and Brayan Rodriguez had a goal and two assists as Georgia Perimeter College downed Middle Georgia State College 6-2 Tuesday at Jaguar Field on the Dunwoody Campus.
The win keeps the Jaguars in the hunt for first place in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association and sets the stage for a showdown Saturday between the top two teams in the conference, GPC and Darton State.
Georgia Perimeter, 9-2-2 overall and ranked 13th in the NJCAA national poll, sits in second place in the GCAA with a 5-1 league record. Darton (10-1-1, 4-0), ranked No. 2 nationally, defeated the Jaguars 4-1 in August.
Rodriguez and T.J. Carter started Tuesday's match out with a bang, Rodriguez scoring a goal only 19 seconds after the opening kickoff and Carter getting an assist on the play.
But Middle (3-8, 2-5) tied it on a GPC own goal in the 14th minute. The Knights' Andrew Preston was credited with the goal and Levi Lewis got an assist.
Ikpeoha, a freshman forward, broke the 1-1 tie in the 16th minute with a goal assisted by Oumar Mbodj, giving Georgia Perimeter a 2-1 lead at the half.
The Jaguars added two quick goals in the second period to provide a cushion for the rest of the match. Carter scored in the 50th, Mark Brown assisting, and two minutes later Brown tallied a goal, assisted by Yusef Seodi.
In the 61st minute, Ikpeoha struck again, with Rodriguez earning the assist.
Preston answered with a goal in the 72nd, assisted by Lewis, but it was too little, too late for the Knights. In the 79th minute, Rodriguez boomed a corner kick to Alejandro Mendez, who headed it into the net for the final point.
The Jaguar defense limited Middle Georgia to five shots on goal. Starting goalkeeper Kyle Johnston saved two and allowed two goals, and Brian Sanchez had one save coming off the bench for a 15-minute stint at the end of the match.
Georgia Perimeter triggered 13 shots on goal. Middle's keepers, Shakir Jarrett and Tevin West split the game. Jarrett had two saves on four SOGs in the first half, while West saved four of nine in the second period.
Saturday's match with Darton is at 2 p.m. on the Dunwoody Campus. Darton tied No. 7 Eastern Florida 2-2 last week, and Wednesday plays the GCAA third-place team, Georgia Military. The Cavaliers' only loss was to Eastern Florida in September.
First Half
Georgia Perimeter, 0:19, Brayan Rodriguez (T.J. Carter)
Middle Georgia, 14:00, Andrew Preston (Levi Lewis), GPC own goal
Georgia Perimeter, 16:00, Evans Ikpeoha (Oumar Mbodj)
Second Half
Georgia Perimeter, 50:00, T.J. Carter (Mark Brown)
Georgia Perimeter, 52:00, Mark Brown (Yusef Seodi)
Georgia Perimeter, 61:00, Evans Ikpeoha (Brayan Rodriguez)
Middle Georgia, 72:00, Andrew Preston (Levi Lewis)
Georgia Perimeter, 79:00, Alejandro Mendez (Brayan Rodriguez)
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.October 5, 2013
Fagundez' PK gives Jaguars 4th straight win
Freshman midfielder Diego Fagundez drove in a penalty kick late in the game to end a defensive standoff, and Georgia Perimeter College defeated Georgia Military College 1-0 Saturday at Georgia Soccer Park in East Point.
The shot lifted the Jaguars from a tie with GMC in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association to sole possession of second place in the conference standings. It was the fourth consecutive victory for Georgia Perimeter (8-2-2, 4-1 GCAA).
The teams took the pitch with national credentials. GPC is ranked 12th in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll, while Georgia Military (8-2, 3-2) received votes in the poll, placing them just below the top 20 in the rankings.
For 79 minutes the squads produced an impressive show of slide tackles, creative combinations, innovations (a behind-the-back flick pass by GPC's Brayan Rodriguez), acrobatic saves and several just-misses.
GPC goalkeeper Kyle Johntson had to work to secure his second shutout. Defensive lapses allowed the Bulldogs' to make some dangerous runs on goal. Johntson stopped one with a slide tackle and saved a hard second-half shot by Tomide Adabale with a dive and an outreached hand that slapped the ball away.
GPC forward Evans Ikpeoha and the Bulldogs' Damieon Thomas launched good-look shots that came just shy of striking the nets.
Finally, in the 80th minute, Georgia Military committed a take-down of T.J. Carter in the penalty area. Fagundez calmly stepped to the penalty mark and drove the ball low past goalkeeper Edgardo Castro for the game-winner.
Georgia Perimeter launched 12 shots on goal, 11 saved by Castro. Johnston saved the nine shots GMC took on goal.
The Jaguars have a challenging week ahead. Tuesday Middle Georgia State visits for another conference match at 4 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. GPC hosts Darton State, the No. 2 team in the nation and leader of the conference. Earlier in the season, Georgia Perimeter defeated Middle 5-2 and fell to Darton 4-1.
Second Half
80:00, Diego Fagundez (penalty kick)
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.October 1, 2013
Garcia scores in final minute as Jaguars edge Oglethorpe JVs
Brandom Garcia scored a goal in the 89th minute to give Georgia Perimeter College a 3-2 victory over the Oglethorpe University JVs Tuesday at Oglethorpe.
Garcia, a freshman midfielder, found the net with a double assist from Jhovany Contreras and Yusef Seodi.
The Jaguars (7-2-2), ranked 12th in Wednesday's NJCAA poll, took a quick lead in the first half when Kioki Hutchings struck in the fourth minute. He was assisted by T.J. Carter.
With 20:30 remaining in the period, Evans Ikpeoha booted a goal, assisted by Mark Brown, and the Jags led at the intermission 2-0.
But the Stormy Petrels rallied in the second half to tie the game with goals by Pablo Martinez (header on a corner kick in the 70th minute) and Austin Graham (85th minute).
Four minutes after Graham's strike and with the clock ticking down, Garcia and Contreras combined for the game-winner.
Kyle Johnston had a good game as starting goalkeeper for GPC, getting four saves in 65 minutes of action.
Oglethorpe took six shots on goal, with both goals coming on substitute keeper Bryan Sanchez.
Georgia Perimeter launched eight shots on goal.
Saturday at 5 p.m. the Jaguars take on Georgia Military College (7-1) in a Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association match-up. GMC, which received votes in the national poll, is in third place in the conference with a 2-1 record, behind the second-place Jaguars (3-1 in the GCAA).
Georgia Military's field is under renovation, so the match will be played at the Georgia Soccer Park in East Point.
Georgia Perimeter, 4:00, Kioki Hutchings (T.J. Carter)
Georgia Perimeter, 25:00, Evans Ikpeoha (Mark Brown)
Oglethorpe, 70:00, Pablo Martinez
Oglethorpe, 85:00, Austin Graham
Georgia Perimeter, Brandon Garcia (Jhovany Contreras & Yusef Seodi)
The Georgia Soccer Park is located at 3895 Ben Hill Rd.,  East Point, GA 30349.September 29, 2013
No. 13 Jaguars shut out No. 17 Jefferson College
Ranked 13th in the National Junior College Athletic Association, the Jaguars evened their record against Top 20 teams Saturday with a 2-0 shutout of Jefferson College (Mo.) at Jaguar Field on the Dunwoody Campus.
Brayan Rodriguez drilled a first-half direct kick and Evans Ikpeoha scored in the second period to lift Georgia Perimeter (6-2-2) past the Vikings, who are ranked No. 17 in the NJCAA poll.
Freshman goalkeeper Kyle Johnson earned the shutout with splendid protection by the Jaguar defense, which allowed only two shots on goal.
This season the Jaguars have played five Top 20 teams. Their two losses were to No. 4 Darton and No. 8 Eastern Florida, while one draw was with No. 12 Monroe Community College. Two weeks ago GPC shut out another top-ranked team, ninth-ranked Spartanburg Methodist, also by a 2-nil score.
Rodriguez' direct kick, in the 13th minute from about 20 yards out, is his 10th goal of the season. With 28 points, he ranks second among top scorers in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.
In the 62nd minute, Kevin Naranjo earned an assist on a pass upfield to Ikpeoha, who beat a defender on the right side and blasted a shot into the goal from inside the 18. It was the second consecutive game that the freshman forward has struck the net.
The Jaguars fired 14 shots on goal. Jefferson goalkeeper Robert Jones had four saves and Eric Beltran had eight.
Previously, Johnson served 14 minutes in the net in another Jaguar shutout, 6-0 over Andrew College in August.
Jefferson College (7-6) had a rough road trip from Missouri, as the Vikings also fell 2-0 at Jaguar Field on Saturday to No. 4 Darton State College.
Tuesday GPC visits Oglethorpe University for a 7 p.m. match with the Stormy Petrels JV team. Saturday at 5 p.m. the Jaguars meet Georgia Military College at the Stone Mountain Youth Soccer Association complex.
13:00, Brayan Rodriguez (unassisted), direct kick
62:00, Evans Ikpeoha (Kevin Naranjo)
Rodriguez' 7 points lifts Jaguars over Middle
Sophomore forward Brayan Rodriguez scored two goals and handed out three assists to power Georgia Perimeter College past Middle Georgia State College 5-2 Tuesday in Macon.
Rodriguez struck first in the match, played at Mount De Sales Academy in Macon, with a goal in the fifth minute and closed it with one in the 89th. In the meantime, he assisted Evans Ikpeoha, T.J. Carter and Devin Pope to goals.
Georgia Perimeter, ranked No. 13 in the NJCAA national poll, improves to 5-2-2 overall and 3-1 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.
After Jhovany Contreras assisted Rodriguez' first strike, Middle Georgia (2-6, 1-3) forced a 2-2 halftime tie with unassisted goals by Casey Zwitch and Andrew Preston, sandwiched around a goal by Ikpeoha that was assisted by Rodriguez.
But the Jaguars made defensive adjustments at the intermission and quieted the Knight's offense in the second half while finding the net three times. Rodriguez assisted Carter in the 63rd minute for the winning goal, and Pope in the 85th.
Ikpeopha furnished a little pay-back, assisting Rodriguez on his second goal in the final minute. Rodriguez' seven points boosts him into second place in GCAA scoring with 26 points on nine goals and eight assists.
GPC's defense allowed only five shots on goal, three saved by goalkeeper Bryan Sanchez. The Jaguars had 10 SOG's, and Knights goalie Tevin West saved five.
The weekend at Jaguar Field features a slate of nationally ranked teams. Jefferson College (7-4) will take on fourth-ranked Darton State College (8-1) on Saturday at 3 p.m., and then the face No. 13 GPC on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Georgia Perimeter, 5:00, Brayan Rodriguez (Jhovany Contreras)
Middle Georgia, 17:00, Casey Zwitch (unassisted)
Georgia Perimeter, 30:00, Evans Ikpeoha (Brayan Rodriguez)
Middle Georgia, 34:00, Andrew Preston (unassisted)
Georgia Perimeter, 63:00, T.J. Carter (Brayan Rodriguez)
Georgia Perimeter, 85:00, Devin Pope (Brayan Rodriguez)
Georgia Perimeter, 89:00, Brayan Rodriguez (Evans Ikpeoha)
No. 11 Eastern Florida State puts damper on No. 13 GPC
When it rains, it pours, and the Jaguars got soaked and subdued Saturday in Dunwoody when Eastern Florida State College rallied to a 2-1 victory over Georgia Perimeter College in a collision of nationally ranked teams.
In a steady rain that sometimes degenerated into a downpour, Georgia Perimeter (4-2-2) jumped off to a quick lead but couldn't hold on.
Four minutes into the game Devon Pope sent a pass from the near right side into a crowd amassed in the middle inside the 18-yard box. Brayan Rodriguez forwarded it to Kioki Hutchings on the near left side with a glancing header.
Hutchings buried the ball into the left corner to put the Jaguars up 1-0. Pope and Rodriguez both earned an assist on the play.
But upstart Eastern Florida, 5-1 in the men's soccer program's inaugural season, slogged through the swampy field with a combative attack and tied it in the 24th minute. Romario Grant scored a goal, assisted by a long pass from out front by Brandon Loafman.
With 6:03 remaining in the first half, the Jaguars suffered a blow with a red card that put them a man down.
The Titans seized the advantage to tally the winning goal in the 53rd minute. Keenan King passed from the left endline to Kevyn McFarlane, who scored from close in.
The teams splashed their way through the remainder of the game in a defensive struggle that featured valiant heroics by the Jaguar back line.
The Jags even played the final eight minutes two men down, after another red card was pulled on a player's second yellow, but the defense clung to the 2-1 margin.
"All the backs played really well," said head coach Marc Zagara, complimenting the fullbacks—Jordan Dunston, Diego Fagundez and Roberto Chavarria. "And Oumar (Mbodj) worked his tail off for 90 minutes in the center midfield position."
He added, "I think we're improving. As long as we keep improving we're going to be in the running."
Goalkeeper Bryan Sanchez produced some superb saves and finished with six as Eastern (formerly Brevard Community College) took eight shots on goal. GPC also kicked eight SOG's, and Titan keeper Justin Walker had seven saves.
Eastern is ranked 11th in the NJCAA national poll and is No. 13 Georgia Perimeter's fourth ranked opponent this season (Monroe Community College, Darton State College and Spartanburg were the others). Next week a fifth comes calling at Jaguar Field as No. 17 Jefferson College (Missouri) will test the Jaguars Sunday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m.
Zagara seemed assured Saturday's setback doesn't spoil the season outlook. "Tournaments aren't won in August and September," he said.
Before taking on Jefferson, the Jaguars will visit Middle Georgia State College at Mount De Sales Academy in Macon Tuesday at 5 p.m. Middle Georgia is 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association, behind GPC and Georgia Military College, both at 2-1. Darton State College (3-0) leads the conference.September 14, 2013
Jaguars upset No. 10 Spartanburg
In a showdown of nationally ranked teams, the Jaguars came out on top when the dust settled.
Brayan Rodriguez and Devin Pope scored second-half goals and Bryan Sanchez and the defense registered another shutout to give 16th-ranked Georgia Perimeter College a 2-0 victory over No. 10 Spartanburg Methodist Saturday at Dunwoody Campus.
Georgia Perimeter (4-1-2) benefited from a Spartanburg red card and a man advantage to subdue the scrappy Pioneers (5-1).
After the teams battled to a nil-nil first half, the red card was issued in the 53rd minute. In the 54th Kevin Naranjo sent a perfect corner kick from the right side that deflected off a player to Rodriguez, who slapped it into the right corner of the net with the left side of his head. It was Rodriguez' seventh goal and Naranjo's fifth assist of the season.
Ten minutes later Rodriguez did his own hand-off thing, getting his fourth assist. After a sharp combination of passes around the box, he crossed from the right to Devin Pope, who buried the ball into the right corner of the goal.
"This may be the first time in two years that we showed some character in winning a game," said Jaguar head coach Marc Zagara. "And maybe we weren't the best team on the field. It was a throwback to the old days when we beat teams that were better than us."
Sanchez recorded his second straight shutout in the goal, this time with only four saves as the defense allowed only four shots on goal. But Spartanburg's quick attack provided several heart-stopping moments for the Jaguar defense.
GPC took nine SOG's, seven saved by Pioneer goalie Tanner Eggers.
The national contenders keep coming at the Jaguars. Next Saturday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. they host Eastern Florida State College (formerly Brevard Community College). Eastern is ranked 12th in the NJCAA poll and will be GPC's fourth ranked opponent so far this season (Monroe Community College, Darton State College and Spartanburg were the others).
"We have a long way to go," Zagara added, "but we took little baby steps in the right direction today."
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.September 12, 2013
Jaguars ranked No. 16 in NJCAA poll
The Georgia Perimeter College Jaguars are back in the Top 20.
GPC is ranked 16th in the National Junior College Athletic Association coaches' poll released Wednesday.
The news sets up a showdown for Saturday, when the Jaguars (3-1-2) host No. 10 Spartanburg Methodist College (5-0) at the Dunwoody field at 2 p.m.
The annual match between the two schools has become a bit of a rivalry. Last year the Pioneers beat GPC 4-1 in Spartanburg. The Jaguars won 3-1 in 2011 and the teams tied 1-1 in 2010. Before that Georgia Perimeter dominated the series.
Wednesday's poll placed Darton State College at No. 6. The Cavaliers are defending champions of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association, which is Region 17 of the NJCAA. GPC lost at Darton in August but will get another shot at the Cavs on Oct. 12 at Dunwoody Campus.
GPC didn't crack the Top 20 last year after being ranked for seven consecutive seasons. The Jaguars went to the national tournament six straight times in that stretch, winning the national championship in 2005 and placing second in 2004, 2007 and 2009.
Georgia Perimeter had more good news Wednesday—the women's team also was ranked in their national poll at No. 15.
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.September 10, 2013
Jaguars earn shutout but settle for 0-0 tie
Sophomore goalkeeper Bryan Sanchez earned a shutout, but Georgia Perimeter College battled to a scoreless tie Tuesday at the University of South Carolina-Salkahatchie in Allendale, S.C.
The nonconference match was a defensive struggle as Georgia Perimeter (3-1-2) managed only nine shots on goal while Salkahatchie registered seven. Sanchez saved the seven SOG's sent his way, while Dieusel Jeannot saved nine for the Indians.
Jaguars Brayan Rodriguez and Kevin Naranjo sent three and two shots on Salkahatchie's goal, respectively. Devin Pope, Alejandro Mendez, Luke Nonyane and Jordan Dunston each took one SOG.
Sanchez had six saves in a 1-1 tie in the Jaguars' season opener with Monroe Community College (NY). Four days later he worked 76 minutes and shared a shutout with backup keeper Kyle Johnston as GPC blanked Andrew College 6-0.
Next for the Jaguars: they host another nonconference match, facing Spartanburg Methodist College (S.C.) on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Dunwoody Campus.
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.September 7, 2013
Rodriguez' hat trick rallies Jaguars past Andrew 4-2
Brayan Rodriguez drove in three second-half goals, all assisted by Kevin Naranjo, lifting Georgia Perimeter College over Andrew College 4-2 Saturday in Cuthbert.
Georgia Perimeter (3-1-1, 2-1 GCAA) had to come from behind to subdue the Fighting Tigers in the second meeting of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association foes. The Jaguars defeated Andrew at home 6-0 on August 27.
Andrew (2-2, 0-2) took an early lead when Alex Blanco scored an unassisted goal 10 minutes into the game.
Kioki Hutchings scored in the 27th minute to give the Jaguars a 1-1 halftime tie. T.J. Carter earned an assist on the play.
Naranjo and the hot-footed Rodriguez took over in the second half, giving GPC a 3-1 lead within the first nine minutes.
Andrew's Jose Torres narrowed it to 3-2 with an unassisted goal in the 62nd minute, but Rodriguez' third strike six minutes later provided insurance for the Jags.
Rodriguez has five goals in the past two matches, scoring two in a 7-1 Labor Day win over St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley. He ranks second in goals (six) and scoring (15 points) in the GCAA. Naranjo is tied for second in assists with four.
The Jaguars took 15 shots on goal. Meanwhile, Jaguar goalkeeper Bryan Sanchez saved five of the seven shots on goal by Andrew. Kyle Johnston had one save in 28 minutes minding the net.
Tuesday the Jaguars return to the road for a match at University of South Carolina-Salkahatchie in Allendale, S.C. Their next home outing is with Spartanburg Methodist College (S.C.) on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Andrew, 10:00, Alex Blanco (unassisted)
Georgia Perimeter, 27:00, Kioki Hutchings (T.J. Carter)
Georgia Perimeter, 47:00, Brayan Rodriguez (Kevin Naranjo)
Georgia Perimeter, 56:00, Brayan Rodriguez (Kevin Naranjo)
Andrew, 62:00, Jeffrey Torres (unassisted)
Georgia Perimeter, 68:00, Brayan Rodriguez (Kevin Naranjo)
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.September 2, 2013
Jaguars reap 7-1 holiday victory; Brown, Rodriguez each score 2
Mark Brown and Brayan Rodriguez kicked in two goals apiece and Georgia Perimeter College beat St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley 7-1 in a Labor Day match Monday at Jaguar Field in Dunwoody.
Georgia Perimeter (2-1-1) jumped on the visitors early as Roberto Chavarria struck in the fifth on a corner kick by Rodriguez, who earned an assist.
Though the Fury tied it four minutes later with a goal by Carlos Burbano, Rodriguez netted two goals and Brown and Devin Pope added one each to lift the Jaguars to a 5-1 lead at halftime.
Jaguar goalkeepers Bryan Sanchez and Kyle Johnston shared halves for the win. Johnston saved the two second-half shots on goal sent at him, while Sanchez saved three of four.
GPC launched 18 shots on goal on St. Louis keepers Joshua Hampton and Austin Golden.
The Jaguars travel for their next two matches—at Andrew College in Cuthbert on Saturday and at University of South Carolina-Salkahatchie in Allendale, S.C., on Sept. 10. They host Spartanburg Methodist College in their next home match on Saturday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m.
Georgia Perimeter, 5:00, Roberto Chavarria (assist, Brayan Rodriguez), From corner kick
St. Louis Community College, 9:00, Carlos Burbano (unassisted)
Georgia Perimeter, 11:00, Brayan Rodriguez (T.J. Carter)Georgia Perimeter, 17:00, Brayan Rodriguez (unassisted), PK foul in box
Georgia Perimeter, 31:00, Devin Pope (Kevin Naranjo)
Georgia Perimeter, 35:00, Mark Brown (unassisted), Took off defender
Georgia Perimeter, 63:00, Mark Brown (Mauro Ayala)
Georgia Perimeter, 81:00, Pedro Perez (T.J. Carter)
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.August 31, 2013
Hat trick carries No. 8 Darton past GPC
Darwin Espinal and three-time defending conference champion Darton State College were too much for the Jaguars Saturday in Albany. The nationally-ranked Cavaliers defeated Georgia Perimeter College 4-1 behind Espinal's three goals.
It is Georgia Perimeter's first loss of the young season, dropping the Jaguars to 1-1-1 overall and 1-1 in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association.
Darton State, ranked eighth in the National Junior College Athletic Association preseason poll, improves to 2-0, 1-0 in the GCAA.
The Jaguars trailed 4-0 when they finally lit the scoreboard with a goal by Luke Nonyane in the 88th minute. He was assisted by Brandom Garcia.
Espinal produced his hat trick for the game's first three goals, and Alejandro Garcia capped the Cavalier scoring with the fourth goal. Espinal leads the GCAA in scoring with six goals and an assist, and Garcia is second with three strikes.
Jorge Chirinos had two assists for the Cavaliers, and Allen Kuhne and Adam Cahill had one each.
Monday the Jaguars host St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley at 11 a.m. at Dunwoody.
The Jaguars' home matches are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.August 27, 2013
Late barrage sends Jaguars to 6-0 victory
With five second-half goals, Georgia Perimeter College opened its conference schedule with a 6-0 shutout of Andrew College Tuesday at Jaguar Field on the Dunwoody Campus.
T.J. Carter scored two goals for the Jaguars (1-0-1), and Brayan Rodriguez and Mark Brown each handed out two assists. The match was the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams.
A pair of goalkeepers shared the shutout for GPC, as the Jaguar defense limited Andrew (1-1) to three shots on goal. Bryan Sanchez minded the net for 76 minutes and saved two shots, and Kyle Johnston saved one in 14 minutes of play.
The Jaguars hit half of their 12 shots on goal. Diego Fagundez started it off in the first half with an unassisted goal in the 37th minute.
Richard Mealey scored early in the second half with an assist by Rodriguez. Then the floodgates opened.
A minute later Kevin Naranjo scored with an assist by Jordan Dunston to make it 3-0. In the 71st minute, Rodriguez assisted Carter, who scored a minute later with an assist by Brown. Just four minutes after that, Brown handed an assist to Mauro Ayala, who netted the final score.
Rodriguez and Carter lead GPC in scoring with four points apiece in two matches.
Saturday the Jaguars travel to Albany for a 2 p.m. match at archrival Darton State College.
Darton won the GCAA championship the past three seasons and finished fourth last year in the NJCAA national tournament. GPC won the conference title six straight seasons before Darton's three-year streak.August 23, 2013
Rodriguez' goal ties No. 4 Monroe Community College
Sophomore forward Brayan Rodriguez scored in the 80th minute to give Georgia Perimeter College a 1-1 tie with Monroe Community College in the Jaguars' 2013 season opener Friday at GPC's Dunwoody Campus.
Monroe, ranked No. 4 in the National Junior College Athletic Association preseason coaches' poll, broke a
nil-nil halftime tie in the 77th minute when Charles Wheaton scored unassisted.
But three minutes later, with 10 minutes left in the match, Rodriguez received an assist from Oumar Mbodi and netted the game-tying goal.
GPC goalkeeper Bryan Sanchez saved six of seven shots on goal, while the Jaguars sent 10 SOGs at the Tribunes goal, nine saved by keeper Fernando Meza.
Monroe (0-0-1), of Rochester, N.Y., plays Darton State College Sunday at GPC's field.
Georgia Perimeter (0-0-1) opens its Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association schedule Tuesday at 2 p.m., hosting Andrew College at the Dunwoody Campus.
The Jaguars' home soccer games are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.August 22, 2013
Jaguars open season Friday vs. tough opponent
The Georgia Perimeter College men's soccer team opens the 2013 season with a home match Friday at 2 p.m., hosting Monroe Community College of Rochester, New York.
Monroe is ranked No. 4 in the National Junior College Athletic Association preseason poll. The Tribunes made the NJCAA national tournament final four last year, finishing in third place with an 18-1-1 record.
Georgia Perimeter posted a 9-8 record in 2012. NJCAA Hall of Fame head coach Marc Zagara was out on personal leave but has returned to the helm for the 2013 campaign. The Jaguars have earned trips to nationals in six of the last nine seasons.
The Jaguars' home soccer games are played at GPC's Dunwoody Campus, 2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody, GA, 30338.

subset: commoncrawl


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Xaria - The Woman, The Legend Long-sleeve Raglan T-Shirt
Product Color:
Product information
The Long-sleeve Raglan T-Shirt Xaria - The Woman, The Legend is the long sleeve version of the popular favorite t-shape. It provides comfort and control over most weathers and can also be worn underneath a t-shirt or a shirt for extra protection. The sporty raglan design gives it a more casual approach.
Put Xaria - The Woman, The Legend on the finest combed jersey which feels soothing against your skin. Shoulder-to-shoulder taping guarantees long life and a good fit. Reactive fabric to ensure no bleeding of colors. Xaria Long-sleeve Raglan T-Shirt is available in 10 different color options. Heather Grey: 80% Peruvian Cotton/20% Polyester, Remaining Colors: 100% Cotton.
Sku: RM1BRBL00009001818184015CRBRYG000


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Welcome to Weekend Rewind, a glance back at The Tribune's news stories, top photos and opinions you may have missed over the weekend.
Top stories this past weekend
Welcome to Weekend Rewind, a glance back at The Tribune's news stories, top photos and opinions you may have missed over the weekend.
Top stories this past weekend
Mormon faith may have helped, not hurt, Romney • Mitt Romney's Mormon faith was supposed to haunt his campaign, hurt his efforts among evangelical voters and give enough pause to independents that his quest for the White House would be difficult, if not doomed.
Stewart to stand trial in Ogden shootout that killed cop • After a preliminary hearing Friday, Matthew David Stewart was ordered to stand trial for allegedly killing 30-year-old Ogden police Officer Jared Francom in a Jan. 4 gunbattle that began with a routine knock-and-announce search warrant.
Utah man once close to death loves his fairy tale life • Rich McKenzie was celebrating his 1998 high school graduation with four friends in San Rafael Swell when he dove headfirst into a river and hit a hidden sandbar, paralyzing him. Fourteen years later, the five have stayed friends, all getting married except for Rich until now.
Crockett opens up 10-point lead on McAdams • Republican Mark Crockett will be the next mayor of Salt Lake County if results from a new Salt Lake Tribune poll hold up on Election Day, but a sizable chunk of undecided voters still could sway next week's outcome.
Swallow leads 2-1 in attorney general race • Republican John Swallow is favored by 56 percent of likely voters, compared with 27 percent for Democrat Dee Smith, 7 percent for others and 10 percent who are undecided, according to a Mason-Dixon Polling & Research poll conducted for The Salt Lake Tribune.
Hatch, Herbert appear to be locks for re-election • After months of campaigning, both Democrats challenging Utah's senior senator and governor appear headed for defeat on Tuesday, each trailing by 40 percentage points in a new poll for The Salt Lake Tribune.
Carrie Fisher: Living out loud • Carrie Fisher embodies the notion that one should never live in quiet desperation, as Thoreau said most men do, when one can live in loud desperation.
Other news of interest
Iron County citizens investigating police, government
12 myths about Mormons
Habitat for Humanity builds its first Utah geothermal home
I-15 rebuild opens early is timing political?
Westminster student body president removed after drunken Fat Cats episode
Police shoot and kill 21-year-old woman in West Valley City
Josh Weed: My story is not about change for gay Mormons
Our endorsements • 2012 general election
Now, to you • The ending will be written by you
Pyle: It's not personal, only policy
Rolly: Partisan politics driving Davis race


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Michael Taborn retiring after 31 years with the agency.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn is retiring after 31 years with the agency.
The Washington Post reports that the 60-year-old Taborn announced his retirement Thursday. He's served as chief since 2008. Metro says it will conduct a national search for Taborn's replacement.
The outgoing chief plans to oversee operations on Inauguration Day and step down in the spring. The agency has 500 officers who operate on Metro property in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
Taborn oversaw the addition of 100 officers and worked with other agencies to reduce vehicle break-ins in Metro parking lots.
Crime at parking facilities is down 26 percent compared with last year. But aggravated assaults and burglaries are up about 7 percent.


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7" 2001-2006 GM 1500HD 4WD High Clearance Lift Kit
This unique High Clearance suspension lift kit utilizes high arched crossmembers that blend perfectly with the angle of the factory installed lower control arms for a completely integrated look while lifting your vehicle a full 7 inchdramatically increasing ground clearance at the front crossmembers and improving operating geometry. Torsion bars are mounted directly to the top of the lower a-arm eliminating the need to drop the torsion bar crossmember.
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Additional Information
|Item Number
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Traction bars will not fit standard cab/short box models and are designed to work on vehicles with 4 inch to 8 inch of lift.
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|BDS Suspension
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|1500 Pickup, 1/2 ton Pickup, K10 Pickup, K1500 Pickup, Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500
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YORK-BASED golfer Simon Dyson's return to the European Tour after more than a month's absence did not prove a happy one.
For the second successive day Dyson carded a one-over-par 73, which meant he tumbled out of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the Middle East.
Needing a sub-par round to make today and tomorrow's rounds, the 36-year-old managed a solitary birdie on the outward nine on the eighth hole and that success was eclipsed by bogeys on six and nine.
He countered when clawing back a shot on the 13th, but a dropped shot on the 16th eased him out of contention.
That left him two shots shy of the halfway cut in his first tournament since appearing before a Tour disciplinary panel following his disqualification from the BMW Masters in October.Dyson had returned to action in Abu Dhabi for the first time since being handed a suspended two-month ban from the European Tour for tapping down a spike mark.
Disqualified for signing for an incorrect score in the second round, he was charged with a serious breach of the tour's code of behaviour after officials were alerted by a television viewer to the incident. The charge was upheld when he appeared before a disciplinary panel at Wentworth in December. Dyson, however, was cleared of cheating.
Coincidentally, there was a similar incident though with a different outcome.
Video emerged from the first round of possible rules infraction during Sergio Garcia's opening round of 76.
Footage showed the Spaniard tapping down something on the line of his putt on the 18th green, which would have been in breach of the rules if it was a spike mark.
However, the world number ten and European Tour chief referee John Paramor went out to the 18th green yesterday morning and Paramor was satisfied with Garcia's explanation that he had tapped down a repaired pitch mark.


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Renewed Focus on Early Career PhysicistsBy Brad R. Conrad
Brad Conrad
As individuals with jobs and goals, our needs change substantially as we progress through our careers. The support APS offers us should as well. An often overlooked segment of our community comprises those who either are working toward finding or have recently begun a new phase of their professional careers. This includes education just as much as changing jobs or even roles within an organization. We all move in and out of these critical time periods and it is during these transitions that the foundation of our careers is formed. Yet, traditionally, this is when we have the smallest voice for our concerns and the fewest resources to accomplish our goals. The early formative years and transitional periods are critical and require additional consideration from APS. Luckily, we form a Society where many of us have gone through these transitions and, as such, we are well suited to assist the transitional segments of our community to achieve their goals. Recent economic trends only strengthen the argument that we must protect and support these portions of our society. To address this community need, APS established a task force in the fall of 2012 to provide advice on how to better serve physicists throughout their academic studies, transitional career periods, and the first several years of their careers.
The nine-person committee, called the Early Career Task Force (ECTF), was charged with "identifying opportunities for APS to serve physicists more effectively in the early stages of their careers. Focusing on physicists in graduate school, postdoctoral appointments and first professional jobs, the Task Force should examine the needs of this cohort for career information, job and internship postings, and networking opportunities, and suggest additional ways to foster this member segment's involvement with the APS. The objective is to help early-career physicists take their place in the physics enterprise, to facilitate stronger connections of this group to the APS physics community, and to encourage greater engagement of these members as volunteers." The task force met in person on 15 October 2012 and thereafter through electronic means, and a final report was voted on and submitted to the APS Executive Board in April 2013.
The task force recommendations can be broken down into several broad categories, the most considerable being the formation of local chapters. The primary resource of the APS is its members and the community they form. The collective knowledge and experience the Society can offer is the most important benefit to being a member only so long as these benefits can be effectively transferred. Furthermore, facilitation of member involvement within society activities, such as networking and volunteering, is vital for a dynamic and vibrant community that supports its members throughout their careers. Early and transitional career members would benefit the most from such reciprocal interactions, as this transfer of information is essential to the concept of Physicist as a profession. The ECTF recommended that APS should provide ways for members to interact with each other and contribute to each other's success, specifically through the creation of local APS chapters. These chapters would strengthen the organization and physics community as a whole by increasing member interactions and the availability of service opportunities. In essence, APS local chapters would not only be a place to find resources, but a community for Physicists to interact with other Physicists.
Local chapters are to be fundamentally inclusive and designed to attract students, early career physicists of all backgrounds, and those in transitional career periods, including academic and non-academic physicists. While the chapters should be constructed to address the specific needs of early career physicists, they should not be limited to a specific community subsection and should strive to include physicists practicing at all levels and in all settings. Some chapters would best be served by direct affiliation with universities and educational entities, others with a specific industry or commercial hub, and some by a geographical location. It is important to note that the intent of local chapters, or more importantly APS's role in local chapters, is one of support. Local chapters must be organic organizations that promote Physicists, offer opportunities for networking, communication between members, and provide volunteering support of both the local community and APS as a whole.
Local chapters are the ideal entities to facilitate networking within job markets, educational endeavors, and local community engagement by supporting self-determined events, activities, and resource access. A priority of each local chapter should be the inclusion of physicists and members from a variety of backgrounds, specifically those with non-academic experience. Only 20% of PhDs physicists ultimately end up in tenure-track positions. Successful local chapters will require both academic and non-academic physicists to have a sense of ownership. AIP statistics show that the largest percentage of permanently employed PhDs is in the private sector, at 57%. Many physicists do not have careers in academia and more closely identify with industrial career roles. Implementing local APS chapters would establish a more robust connection between academic physics entities and local industries. Actively encouraging non-academic physicists to engage in local APS chapter events and participate in volunteer roles both locally and nationally will strengthen not only the local chapter but a segment of the membership that is currently underserved by APS. It is recommended that each local chapter should strive to have a high level of autonomy, as each local chapter should represent the local community from which it is created.
Local chapters could provide a lifetime of career development resources and networking opportunities to all of its members, including industry-specific interactions, remote access of electronic resources, tools to assist job seekers with communication skills, informational sessions and topical meetings. However, to be successful this endeavor will require contributions from all levels of APS. Such an initiative requires additional resources which could include: membership infrastructure, activity guidance, electronic resources, financial support, organizational networking assistance, and educational materials. A special effort should be made to include local chapter events at regional and unit meetings. In return local chapters should support meeting activities. Such symbiotic interactions would improve attitudes toward the physics culture and the idea of Physicist as a profession.
Another primary recommendation of the ECTF is that APS must actively define itself as representing all physicists. By the very nature of the discipline, the physics community is broad. More so, it is common for Physicists to change fields. The Society must educate the public and its members about the varied career options available with a physics degree. Specifically, we need to do a better job of informing members, irrespective of title or degree, of the variety of opportunities available and begin to specifically highlight non-academic positions. I believe this broadening of the Physicist identity not only represents who we are as a society but will increase the sense of belonging to the physics community and strengthen the concept of Physicist as a profession. Thus, the ECTF recommends that APS promote and market the definition of a physicist as one who obtains a degree in physics, works in a physics-related field, or uses physics in his or her career. The physics community should be inclusive of all those who express interest in physics in any capacity and not be exclusive to the holders of doctoral degrees or those who pursue academic careers. Continuing to educate faculty and members on the changing definition of career physicist would contribute to an increased sense of community. This sense of Physicist identity should be a primary driver in APS initiatives. Additionally, an essential component of any healthy community is active member interaction through volunteering, and there are many opportunities to contribute. Local chapters would be a natural method of advertising and increasing volunteer support services. These volunteer positions must be easy to find, actively facilitated by APS and local chapters, and communicated effectively.
An overarching theme throughout the report is the visibility and participation of physicists in industry. The Society should increase industrial member sessions at meetings, provide meeting venues that are attractive to industrial members, promote networking opportunities, encourage industrial members to chair sessions, and target non-academic members to present their research. Since many physicists work in industry, APS should promote sessions at meetings where students can meet and network with industrial members. To build and strengthen the positive perception of non-academic physics careers, a network of non-academic physicists to serve as mentors for early career physicists should be established through local chapters. To prepare students for their careers, student must have access to mentors in the private sector. Since industrial mentors are not at academic institutions, local chapters can play a role in professional development by connecting students with industrial physicists at annual meetings.
To facilitate the professional development of Early Career Physicists, the ECTF recommends several changes to APS meetings. While APS is dedicated to representing all physicists, the vast majority of talks at meetings could be characterized as academic. Since these meetings attract an increasing number of undergraduates, there needs to be a focus on industrial and non-academic topics. This more personable setting is ideal for industrial member networking, establishing student-industrial member interactions, and broadening the purpose of the meeting to include the development of physics as a profession and increasing APS's sense of community. Once established, APS local chapters would be a natural source for non-academic meeting involvement, improving both the meetings and service opportunities.
Additional suggestions focus on enhancing member interactions through networking. Poster sessions are often viewed as opportunities to directly connect in a way which simply is not possible in oral presentations. Poster conversations can be more in-depth, include a variety of advantageous professional interactions, and should be encouraged. Offering workshops which address professional skills and career planning at meetings would assist many early career Physicists. While implementing more professional development support at annual meetings is important, the impact of these efforts is inherently limited, since they occur over a brief period of time and are accessible only to those who are attending annual meetings. Promoting similar activities on a local level, within local chapters, would provide a sustained level of career support to a larger group of people over a longer time scale.
While the implications of these recommendations span the breadth of the Society and how it fundamentally relates to its members, it is my hope that they are a point of discussion for future development and self-improvement. APS has been actively researching these recommendations since the final report was submitted to the Executive Board. Finally, I thank the ECTF committee since many of the ideas, concepts, and script stated in this article come from their report and hard work.
Brad R. Conrad is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University. He was also the Chair of the APS Early Career Task Force, which generated the report discussed here.
APS encourages the redistribution of the materials included in this newspaper provided that attribution to the source is noted and the materials are not truncated or changed.
Staff Science Writer: Michael Lucibella


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String Wound Cartridge, 8 gpm, 10 Mic, PK6
PARKER| Zoro #: G0437087| Mfr #: T19R9-4-45A
Zoro #: G0437087Mfr. Part #: T19R9-4-45A
$87.35 /pk
This item ships free. DetailsStandard ground shipping
Technical Specifications
|Zoro #: G0437087 Mfr #: T19R9-4-45A
|Outside Dia.: 4-1/2"
|Max. Pressure: 35 psi
|Item: Filter Cartridge
|Filter Cartridges Sub-Category: String and Blanket Wound Cartridges
|Inside Dia.: 1"
|Application: For Use with a Variety of Organic Solvents
|Reduces: Particulates
|Microns: 10
|Filter Media: Polypropylene
|Max. Temp.: 120 Degrees F
|Height: 9-7/8"
|Flow Rate: 8 gpm
|Country of Origin (subject to change): United States
Product Description
String Wound Filter Cartridge, 10 Microns, Filter Media Polypropylene, Height 9-7/8 In., Outside Dia. 4-1/2 In., Flow Rate 8 gpm, Max. Temp. 120 Degrees F, Max. Pressure 35 psi, Reduces Particulates, Application For Use with a Variety of Organic Solvents, Inside Dia. 1 In., For Use With Large Diameter Plastic Housings, Package Quantity 6
Restrictions and Compliance
- *1 : California Proposition 65 : This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.
- *2 : California Proposition 65 : This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.