THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008
SPORTS
3B
SOCCER (CONTINUED FROM 1B)
petition in both games," Francis said. "You don't want to schedule two easy games going into the conference. The players are looking forward to the challenge, and I think it's going to be a really big challenge."
GOING FOR FOUR
All three meetings have come in the Francis era with the Jayhawks holding a 3-0 series advantage.
Kansas and UCF have met three times in the history of the programs.
Two of the three previous games have been played in Lawrence.
Francis said today's game was the return leg after UCF came to Kansas in 2006.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Sunday, but he was confident of his team's ability to stay focused and rested during the long weekend.
The lajhwacks are 2-0 this season away from Lawrence, but this weekend will be the first time they play both games on the road. Kansas was 3-3-2 as the visiting team last season.
SOCCER
Edited by Brieun Scott
"I think they are used to having to travel and lug their gear around," Francis said. "It kind of wears you out, but part of being an athlete at this level is you have to be able to figure that out and deal with it."
Francis said the heat and travel time could play a factor on
Sophomore steps up offense
BY JAYSON JENKS
jjenks@kansan.com
It's no big secret as to how sophomore defender Katie Williams scores goals, no special plays or unique strategies to explain it.
Instead, Williams finds the back of the net simply because she's in the right place at the right time.
"I'm expected to go up on corners and put the ball in the back of the net or get an opportunity for the forwards," Williams said. "And that's what I do. I just happen to get a goal out of them."
Still, it doesn't diminish the sophomore's accomplishments
early in her career. Williams' four career goals have come in her last eight games stretching back to last season.
"It's an added bonus," Williams said. "I'm not a goal scorer, I'm not a forward, but it gives a new perspective."
Williams scored her first goal of the season against Missouri State last Friday when she finished a cross from teammate Sara Rogers just inside the 18-yard box.
And it's not a coincidence; nearly all of Williams' goals are scored in a similar fashion.
"Katie's aggressive," coach Mark Francis said. "She's in the box and attacks the ball. That's one of the
reasons I put her in."
Williams started the final 18 games at defender last season after then-sophomore jenny Murtaugh injured her leg, finishing the season with three goals.
That experience and familiarity with her teammates helped build Williams' confidence. And it's something Francis continues to see this season
"Katie's made huge strides in a year," Francis said. "She's become more consistent and more confident with every game."
Edited by Ramsey Cox
MLS
Columbus Crew downs New York Red Bulls 3-1
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Robbie Rogers scored 19 seconds into the second half to help the Columbus Crew beat the New York Red Bulls 3 on Thursday night.
Frankie Heijdk and Eddie Gaven also scored for Columbus, an MLS-best 14-6-5 after winning five of its last six games. Juan Pablo Angel scored for New York
(9-8-8).
Rogers steered the ball around two defenders before blasting a 30-yard shot from midfield that flew past goalkeeper Jon Conway's outstretched hands.
Angel opened the scoring with a 32-yard free kick that beat Columbus goalkeeper William Hesmer in the 21st minute. The tally was Angel's 10th of the year, eight of which have come in the last 10 games.
The Crew's tying goal came
from defender Hejduk, who last scored more than three years ago. In the 41st minute, Hejduk sent what appeared to be a crossing pass into the New York penalty area, but the ball carried over the head of a backpedaling Conway and landed in the back of the net
Hejduk assisted on Gaven's goal in the 85th minute, running the ball deep into the penalty area before setting up Gaven for his second goal of the year.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
CELEBRATE JAYHAWK SPORTS
274 PAGES • $27.95 • HARDBOUND
Kansas's greatest players tell their stories
240 PAGES • $19.95 • HARDBOUND
Kansas basketball's best stories
234 PAGES ● $24.95 ● HARDBOUND
The Kansas Comet
TENNIS
KU BOOKSTORES
Freshman trio steps up to improve team morale
KANSAS UNION
BURGE UNION
EDWARDS CAMPUS
(785) 864-4640
kubookstores.com
THE OFFICIAL BOOKSTORES OF KU
A mix of chemistry, a dash of teamwork and a sprinkle of talent
is exactly what the women's tennis team has to offer as it begins the new season and plays its first tournament at the University of New Mexico this weekend.
They'll join a crop of veterans to kick off the season this weekend at the University of New Mexico
BY WHITNEY HAMILTON
whamilton@kansan.com
Dzuba
Wilbert
Morosova
Three freshmen,
Alessandra Dzuba, Erin Wilbert and Ekaterina Morosova
will be adorned in crimson and blue for the first time in their careers. The upperclassmen have helped with the mixture of excitement and uncertainty the
"Our goal is competing hard, working on the competition and working at a high level this season," fourth-year coach Amy Hall-
Holt said.
freshmen have on their minds by encouraging and letting them know the hard work pays off in the end.
Working at a high level is definitely the key to a successful sea-
ally with that comes difficulty in communication," Emily Gorham, Boerne, Texas, sophomore said.
EMILY GORHAM Boerne, Texas, sophomore
"This year everyone is very comfortable with one another and we're really coming together early on as a team."
"One thing I would love to see this year is an injury-free team stepping out on the court each tournament."
son, and the girls motivate each other and themselves toward the same common goal — a victory. After weeks of practicing with familiar faces across the court, the team will play against dif-
ers motivates the team to improve during workouts and practices. Each girl practices with intensity and drive, while remembering to keep in mind the injuries the team was plagued with throughout last season.
Along with the team chemistry, the experience and talent of the play-
"One thing I would love to see this year is an injury-free team stepping out on the court each tournament," Gorham said.
With help from the team's new trainer, they can focus on developing a stronger, healthier team once the season is in full swing to avoid major injuries.
Although the team doesn't have a team motto, Hall-Holt always gives a couple of encouraging words before the team starts a match: "Finish strong." These few words guide the team to work hard, resulting in the right push to have a winning season combined with chemistry, teamwork and raw talent.
"The team is a mix of girls from many different countries and usu-
ferent sets of women and use the techniques it has learned to perform their hardest.
"The experience of the upper-classmen coming back is an advantage, and our freshmen being a very talented group makes me excited to see what they put out," Hall-Holt said. "It's nice seeing these girls do what they do best."
Although three seniors are gone from last year, the Jayhawks still have an experienced team of nine women who know what to expect this season. The benefit of having the majority of the players come back has helped the team improve and with the addition of new players, the chemistry of the team seems to fit.
The chemistry the team has this season is a newfound experience among coaches and players. It is evident in practices as the girls push one other's performance level.
— Edited by Kelsey Hayes