Timing is everything, and Rachel VanderGenugten's timing couldn't be better.

Although she's seen action in only nine Notre Dame soccer matches this season, the Lake Central product is placing quality above quantity as the Fighting Irish continue to advance in the NCAA Division I soccer tournament

VanderGenugten scored her first goal of the year in Notre Dame's 5-0 opening-round victory over IUPUI, then added another tally in Round 2, where the Irish defeated Central Michigan 6-1. ND (19-3-1) meets Oregon State tonight in a third-round encounter.

Sophomore Lauren Gerbick (Andrean) was named the Mid-Central College Conference's Player of the Year after scoring 14 goals and passing out two assists for Marian University this fall. Gerbick was one of five all-conference performers for the Knights (17-2-1), who captured their second consecutive league crown.

Football

Tommy Mambourg (Munster) rushed for 42 yards and Addrian Frederick (Rensselaer) made seven tackles -- including six solos -- as Wabash College reclaimed ownership of the Monon Bell with a 32-19 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference triumph over DePauw on Saturday.

Kyle Bottos (Lowell) and Kyle Najar (Griffith) both recorded one solo stop for the Little Giants. P.J. Gbur (Lake Central) had four solo tackles and Tyler Doane (Valparaiso) totaled three stops on the Tigers' behalf.

Eric Ritter (Griffith) completed his junior season at Benedictine University with 202 rushing yards, five touchdowns and five receptions. The three-year starter at fullback carries a 3.9 GPA in the classroom.

Lynwood resident Bryan Onuselogu, a freshman linebacker at Taylor University, was chosen the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League's Defensive Player of the Week following the Trojans' 23-16 upset win over the University of St. Francis on Saturday.

Onuselogu, who prepped at St. Ignatius, had seven total tackles, two sacks and an interception. His 30-yard return of the fourth-quarter pickoff set up Taylor's final TD.

Cross country

Calvin College sophomore Nick Kramer (Illiana Christian) continued his late-season surge by placing first in Saturday's NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional hosted by Rose-Hulman.

The Dyer resident clocked a 25:45 on the 8K course to win the race by nine seconds over his closest pursuer and lead the Knights to a 14th straight regional crown. Kramer, who became the ninth individual champ in school history, also was victorious at the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association meet one week earlier while getting selected as the conference's most valuable runner.

Austin Warner (Illiana Christian) will represent Trinity Christian College at Saturday's NAIA National Championships in Vancouver, Wash., after taking seventh in a 162-runner field at the National Christian College Athletic Association meet last Saturday in Cedarville, Ohio.

Warner reached the chute in 26:13 and was accorded All-America status. The Trolls also placed seventh among 23 teams, their highest finish ever in the NCCAA event.

Volleyball

Junior Hailey Kelley (Bloom Twp.) had nine kills, four digs, two service aces and two blocks in Illinois State's four-game victory over Indiana State on Nov. 12. Playing for the Sycamores were sophomore middle blocker Stacy Qualizza (Crown Point) and freshman outside hitter Emily Mozwecz (Chesterton).

Men's basketball

Thornwood grads Cameron Snelling and Nate Green both played well, but Benedictine was unable to take advantage of their performances as it dropped a season-opening 89-79 decision to Illinois Wesleyan. Snelling paced the Eagles with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Green contributed nine points, four assists and two steals.

Women's basketball

Sophomore guard Tracey Walsh (Marian Catholic) had 12 points, seven rebounds, two steals and an assist to boost Benedictine to a 69-64 triumph over Trinity International on Monday. One day earlier, Walsh scored seven points in the Eagles' 56-55 loss to North Park.

In that latter contest, junior guard Courtney Pishkur (Andrean) tallied two points for Benedictine.

The Times welcomes information about local athletes for inclusion in Region Collegians. E-mail Ken Karrson at kenneth.karrson@nwi.com or fax to (219) 933-3249. Karrson can be reached at (219) 933-3232.

REGION COLLEGIANS