SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008
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SOCCER
Kansas returns to postseason
The Jayhawks' drawn-out journey carries them to NCAA tournament
BY JAYSON JENKS
jjenks@kansan.com
Three Jayhawks walked through the side doors of Allen Fieldhouse after soccer practice on Tuesday without showing.
No, poor hygiene habits are not to blame. Instead, point the metaphorical finger at the Emporia State basketball players occupying the locker room before their game later that night against Bill Self and Kansas.
Luckily, it's the only rejection the layhawks experienced this week. On Monday, members of the soccer team gathered around a TV in the Naismith Auditorium and watched as Kansas was one of 64 teams selected to play in the NCAA Soccer Tournament.
"We know we deserve to be in this tournament. We have the ability to do so much," senior Missy Geha said. "I guess I'm relieved that somebody finally gave us a
chance to prove ourselves to the country."
Geha and the rest of the Kansas seniors are quite familiar with the hardships brought on by the tournament selection show. During Geha's freshman and sophomore
"We knew we had a pretty good chance," senior Jessica Bush said, "but you just never know."
Both times, however, Kansas didn't hear its name called.
"We know we deserve to be in this tournament. We have the ability to do so much."
years, the Jayhawks finished with 11-victory seasons and appeared poised to make the tournament.
this point has been marred with inconsistencies. One game Kansas knocked off a ranked Central Florida team, the next it lost to Loyola Chicago.
Now, Kansas is headed to Palo Alto, Calif., to face Denver (19-2-2) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
That trend continued up until the end of the season. In its regular season finale, Kansas suffered its worst loss since 1999 when Missouri crushed the Jayhawks 6-0.
"You have to show up to play every day," Geh said. "Some days, we weren't there and we weren't all on the same page."
Then, in the first round of the Big 12 Championship, Kansas topped eighth-ranked Texas A&M — a victory that seemingly sealed KU's spot in the NCAA Tournament.
"Now, it's just about the games we have ahead of us," junior Shannon McCabe said. "I think we're playing some of our best soccer at the end of the season."
But the Jayhawks' road to
That means more practice
MISSY GEHA
Senior midfielder
for the Jayhawks heading into cold-weather season. And the conditions for Tuesday's practice were anything ide
rainy, slippery and windy.
But with a long-awaited berth in the NCAA tournament, the Jayhawks seemed more than pleased to take on all of the elements.
"We're playing outside and it's awful," Bush said. "But I think we'll really appreciate California's weather when we're playing in the heat."
Edited by Brieun Scott
FOOTBALL
Senior Jayhawks prepare for their final home game this Saturday
BY B.J. RAINS rains@kansan.com
The 18 members of the 2008 senior class will play their final home game Saturday when they play No. 3 Texas at 11:30 a.m. on FSN.
It may be one of coach Mark Mangino's best classes ever at Kansas, who together helped turn a struggling program into one of respectability.
"We have kids who have been here for, some of them, four or five years," Mangino said. "A lot of guys that came in here weren't highly touted recruits and they worked hard and made themselves better and were productive in the program."
The 2008 senior class has a record of 31-16 in the past four years, the second most victories in a four-year period in Kansas history. They had at least six victories in each season for first time since 1903-06.
They also helped get Kansas back into the national polls for the
first time since 1996 and played in the schools first January bowl game since 1969, when they won the FedEx Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. 24-21.
Jon Goering/KANSAN
"Dedicated, hard-working kids that wanted to be apart of this program and help it get better," Mangino said of his 18-member senior class.
Among the seniors playing their last game are wide receiver Dexton Fields and offensive linemen Chet Hartley, Adrian Mayes and Ryan Cantrell.
Junior safety Darrell Stuckey trips up Oklahoma kick returner DeMarco Murray during the opening kickoff return Saturday. Coach Mangino said after the game that special teams was one area where the Jayhawks improved this week.
Defensive ends Russell Brorsen and John Larson will suit up in the home blues for the final time, as will linebackers Joe Mortensen. Mike Rivera and James Holt. The trio of linebackers has been the core of the KU defense for three years and will likely be the greatest loss heading into next season.
"When I first got here I think their record the season before was four and something." Holt said. "The growth has been outstanding. My experience here has just been one of greatness. I got all
these great guys around me and they have been like my brothers. Hopefully I can keep in contact with them because we've built a
friendship and hopefully it will last a lifetime."
Edited by Kelsey Hayes
LPGA
Golf legend lags in competition
After the first round of the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, the tournament's namesake is struggling to stay afloat, trailing the leaders by five strokes
BY CARLOS RODRIGUEZ ASSOCIATED PRESS
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Lorena Ochoa struggled Thursday in the first round in her own Lorena Ochoa Invitational, shooting a 1-over 73 on her home course to drop five strokes behind Annika Sorentam and the other leaders.
"I can't say I'm happy because I'm not, but I'm feel like I can get closer. I hope to do it tomorrow," said Ochoa, who took up the game 21 years ago at Guadalajara Country Club. "It's a good pressure
to play here, to feel the good vibes, and the love of my fans. I feel motivated because I know that we have three more days to play"
LPGA Championship winner Yani Tseng, No. 2 in the world behind Ochoa and ahead of Sorenstam, topped the leaderboard at 68 along with Sorenstam, Angela Stanford, Karen Stupples, Seon Hwa Lee, Nicole Castrale, HeeWan Han and Brittany Lang.
Ochoa has two victories — the 2006 and 2008 Corona Championship — in nine LPGA Tour starts in Mexico. She has seven victories in 20 tour starts this
year and leads the money list with
$2,738,888.
"I was off rhythm, especially on my second shot, and that took away the chances of birdies," Ochoa said. "I will take another round of practice later on so tomorrow can be a better day."
Ocho boyeged Nos. 4 and 6 to make the turn at 2-over 38. She birdied the par-5 10th, boyeged the 15th and closed with a birdie on the par-5 18th.
"It was hard to concentrate with the comments from the crowd and me trying to play good," Ochoa said. "But I think I was able to control the pressure fine and, hopefully, do better the next few days.
Sorenstam, leaving the tour at the end of the season, birdied five of the first 13 holes to take the lead at 5 under, but missed shot par putts on 14 and 16 before rallying with a birdie on 18.
"There is really not much to talk about," Sorenstam said. "I missed two short putts. I tried to move on and not to think to much about it."
The Swedish star is coming off a playoff victory two weeks ago in a Ladies European Tour event in China. She has three LPGA Tour victories this season.
(CONTINUED FROM 1B)
to play for still. It's just going to be lost only one conference game
a really fun opportunity because this season and have made three
nobody has straight
been here N C A A
before"
"It's a tough matchup, but I know the kids are excited."
Hanley and the rest of the Jayhawks may not have seen much of Denver, but Francis said he had an oppor-
had an opportunity to watch a few of its games from this season, including a 1-0 victory over No. 15 Colorado in Boulder this August. The Pioneers
MARK FRANCIS Kansas soccer coach
Tournaments under coach Jeff Hooker's guidance.
excited."
teams we played this year." Francis said. "That's not easy to do, especially at their place. It's a tough matchup, but I know the kids are
"I thought Colorado was one of the best two
Denver received 15 votes in the season's final NSCAA rankings, falling just outside the top 25, while Kansas received zero. Francis said the Pioneer's most potent threat offensively would be senior midfielder Taryn Hemmings, the two-time Sun Belt player of the year.
He said the backline would have to stay organized and communicated well to slow the explosive Hemmings, who has accumulated 16 goals and dished out six assists a year after missing the entire season because of injury.
she is the type of kid that can do it on her own," Francis said. "She gets a ball and she didn't necessarily need anyone else. She is fast. She is good one vs. one. I think we just have to be sure to stand her up and not let her turn and run at us. That's when she is the most dangerous."
Fans can expect close to perfect weather this afternoon. Forecasts call for temperatures in the mid 70s. Kansas Athletics will have online updates for those who want to follow the action.
"She is very good, and I think
Edited by Brieun Scott
MEN'S BASKETBALL (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
know it, too.
It doesn't bother them, especially after last year. Reed referenced Sasha Kaun, who started for the Jayhawks for two years before becoming the sixth man last season.
"Whether you come off of the bench or are a starter, it really doesn't matter." Reed said. "Like last year, we had Sasha come off of the
Reed and Morningstar were far from "main guys" last season. Reed appeared in 22 games last season and averaged two points. Two years ago, Morningstar played in 16 games and averaged two points.
bench and he was one of our main guys."
— Edited by Kelsey Hayes
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was not surprised.
SNAER TO ANNOUNCE FRIDAY
"We have supported Sherron since day one of this so the dismissal does not surprise me," Self said in a statement. "I am happy for him that this is now totally behind him."
Michael Snaer, the No.11 recruit in the nation, will announce where he plans to attend college today live at 3 p.m, on ESPNU.
Snaer is deciding between Kansas, Florida State and Marquette. Kansas has already signed Thomas Robinson, the No. 18 player in the nation according to Rivals.com, and received a verbal commitment from Elijah Johnson, the No. 27 player in the nation.
The layhawks only have one remaining scholarship for next year's team.
Edited by Brieun Scott