ctions.A decision on a possible switch of the volleyball venue was delayed

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The National Womens Hockey Leagues first transgender player scored a goal in his debut and finally got an opportunity to hear his name announced over the PA system how he always felt it should.And Harrison Browne got to hear it again after the final buzzer, when the Buffalo forward was named the games second star in the Beauts 4-1 loss to the Boston Pride on Friday night.It was unreal, Browne said. Ive never felt something like that before.Thats because up until the season-opening game on Friday, the 23-year-old went by the name of Hailey Browne. That changed when he went public in announcing, in a story first published by ESPN, he prefers to be known as Harrison and identifies himself as a male.I was just excited, said Browne, noting he had previously revealed his gender identity but had not changed his name. Ive been out for a long time. Im not scared about it. Its nothing new to me.Browne initially planned on making the medical transition to being a man after completing his college career at Maine. Browne put that on hold in the spring of 2015, when he got an opportunity to play for the Beauts in the four-team NWHLs inaugural season.The only real hiccup on Friday occurred after the game, when Browne was cut off by a Beauts spokeswoman while beginning to answer a question regarding North Carolinas law restricting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.Were not going to answer that, the spokeswoman said. Its about Brownie tonight.Asked if he had any issues over whether the NWHL was allowing him to express himself, Browne said: No. I feel good.At that point, the official announced the session was over after 2? minutes.NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan said she couldnt comment because she was unaware of Brownes news conference being cut short.Rylan said she is not familiar with North Carolinas transgender law and added that Browne -- who is from Canada -- might not be, either.This year, the NBA relocated its All-Star game and the NCAA relocated numerous tournaments out of North Carolina because of the law excluding gender identity and sexual orientation from local and statewide antidiscrimination protections. It also requires transgender people to use restrooms at schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates.Rylan said she is fully supportive of Brownes decision to announce his gender identity and hopes he can play a role in educating others.I think what Harrison has done for so many will make it more acceptable and allow others to feel comfortable, she said.Rylan said she is currently working on a policy to address transgender players, because the league currently doesnt have a rule. She said the policy would cover both transgender men and women.The best part for Rylan, she said, was seeing Browne score on a short-handed breakaway.It felt like the stars were aligning for Harrison, Rylan said, noting how the crowd erupted in cheers. I dont know if it wouldve been as easy for him five years ago.Beauts coach and former NHL player Ric Seiling, said nothing has changed in his approach toward Harrison, noting that he has always referred to the player as Brownie.This is Harrisons decision, and I support whatever they decide, Seiling said. The team has had no reaction. Its still the same person that walks into that dressing room every day. Its still the same person that puts on his skates the same way. Theres no difference. Troy Aikman Jersey . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Darren Woodson Jersey . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. http://www.shoptheofficialcowboys.com/Elite-Tony-Pollard-Cowboys-Jersey/ . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. Tony Pollard Cowboys Jersey . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Demarcus Lawrence Cowboys Jersey . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement.HOUSTON -- One night after Chris Young broke out of a slump, Josh Donaldson had a big night of his own. Donaldson had four hits and the Oakland Athletics beat the Houston Astros 11-5 Saturday night. "My goal every day is to go out there and put good at-bats together," Donaldson said. "The last two games or so I have felt a little bit more overaggressive. I was trying to be a little more patient tonight and get a good pitch to hit. They fell behind me a couple times, and I was able to get a pitch to hit." Donaldson said he and hitting coach Chili Davis worked on a few things before the game. He tied a career-high with four hits and was a triple shy of the cycle. "He went through one little period where he was down some, but hes been consistent all year on base every time tonight and getting good swings almost every single time," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "Theres a reason hes hitting in the middle of the order for us." Chris Young had three hits and drove in two as Oaklands bats came alive for a season-high 18 hits, and the As scored their most runs in a month. Every Oakland hitter drove in at least one run. Brandon Moss had a home run as well for the As, who improved to 8-0 this season against the Astros. As starter A.J. Griffin (5-3) allowed four runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in 5 2-3 innings. He gave up three home runs. "Other than the home runs, I felt all right," Griffin said. "Those home runs happen, so obviously, you have a little bitter taste in your mouth at the end of the day. I made it 5 2-3, and I always would like to make it 6, 7, 8. It was a great team win. I just tried to keep us in the game and keep making pitches." Jason Castro and Matt Dominguez each belted two home runs for the Astros. It was the first time two Houston teammates have had multi-home run games since July 25, 2005, when Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman each had two. After Castro gave the Astros a 1-0 lead in the first with a two-out solo home run to right, Oakland responded with six runs in the second, sending 12 batters to the plate. Seth Smith and Donaldson led off with back-to-back singles before Moss walked to load the bases. Young laced a two-run double off the wall in left, and Eric Sogard followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1. Adam Rosales grounded out to shortstop to extend the lead to 4-1. Coco Crisp upped the lead to 5-1 with a run-scoring single. Yoenis Cesppedes walked with two outs, and Smith singled up the middle to make it 6-1.ddddddddddddAstros starter Lucas Harrell was pulled after walking Donaldson to load the bases again. Edgar Gonzalez ended the inning by getting Moss to pop up to short. Dominguez cut Oaklands lead to 6-2 with a solo home run to left to lead off the third. Oakland answered by scoring four times in the fourth. Jaso had an RBI double and Cespedes followed with a run-scoring single. Donaldson and Moss hit back-to-back home runs with two outs in the inning to make it 10-2. Castro added his second homer of the game - another solo shot to right -- to lead off the bottom of the fourth to cut Oaklands lead to 10-3. Castro plated Jose Altuve with an RBI single in the sixth to get Houston within 10-4. Dominguez hit his second home run with one out in the seventh -- a solo shot off the facade in left - to trim the lead to 10-5 off Kideki Okajima. Donaldson put the As back up by six with an RBI double in the eighth, scoring Smith. Harrell (3-6), who has lost four straight, allowed six runs on six hits with three walks and one strikeout in a season-low 1 2-3 innings. Harrell has allowed five or more runs in three of his last five starts, and in two starts against Oakland this season, the right-hander has allowed 14 runs in six innings. Houston manager Bo Porter said Harrell did not have his good stuff, and Oakland put good swings on him when he put the ball in the strike zone. "I think it starts with command," Porter said. "When youre a sinker ball pitcher, youre one pitch away from a double-play and getting out of it. You have to lock into it, get the ground ball, and minimize the damage." Harrell said his command was not off. "Theres pretty much only two things to say about the game," Harrell said. "Its embarrassing and its frustrating. Thats pretty much all I have to say." NOTES: Oakland SS Jed Lowrie, who was out of the lineup for the third straight game, took ground balls and hit batting practice before Saturdays game. Lowrie has been out since being hit by a pitch on his right foot Tuesday. . Oakland OF Chris Youngs three-run home run Friday night snapped an Oakland-record streak of 15 consecutive solo home runs by the As. . RHP Bartolo Colon takes the mound for Oakland against Houston LHP Dallas Keuchel in the series finale Sunday. . Houston entered the game leading the Majors with 61 double plays turned. ' ' '