Monday, October 20, 1997 The University Daily Kansan Section B · Page 5 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 Memories of March Jayhawks win one, lose one at home Memories of March loss fuel the hunger for basketball season The Honey Brown-induced hangover has long since passed, but the memories of that dreaded March night still linger in my mind. The night was full of promise, and my mind was free from worries because I was on spring break. I sat down in front of the television to watch Kansas defeat Arizona on its way to the Final Four. I was surrounded with some friends, dinner from Taco Bell and a few beers. My thoughts were filled with the next week's pilgrimage to Indianapolis. Scott Corcoran sports@ansan.com Then the unthinkable happened: Kansas lost to Arizona. In a state of denial, I threw back three blocks minutes and sat in a room with my friends in complete silence. None of us could believe that Kansas' season was finished. Since October, we had known that Kansas would make the Final Four. While we listened to Coach Williams when he said that fans should enjoy the ride, we never imagined that the ride wouldn't end in Indianapolis and a National Championship. After a few more beers, I saw an interview with Coach Williams on TV. I looked at him with tears glistening in his eyes, and I couldn't help crying myself. I knew I felt horrible and couldn't imagine the pain that filled the hearts of the players and the coaches. The weeks that followed the loss were filled with rumors. Raef and Paul were going pro, Roy was going to leave, Lester' Earl wasn't going to be granted his release from LSU and Kansas wasn't going to be able to recruit a point guard. I counted down the days until Late Night but didn't know what the upcoming season would hold. Thankfully, none of the rumors came true. Raef and Paul turned down the NBA, Dean Smith retired and Roy is still here. Lester Earl was granted his release, and Jelani Janisse signed with the Jayhawks and filled the backup point guard role. So that leaves us at the beginning of the 1997-1998 basketball season. The optimism that accompanies the beginning of every season is here again. Kansas has a chance of being as good as last year's team. Raef LaFrentz and Paul Pierce are ranked as the top two drafts picks in next year's NBA draft. With two All- Americans in the front court and four other McDonald's High School All-Americans, the 'Hawks have a chance of bettering last season's mark of 34 victories. Being a senior, I will savor each of these victories. I only hope that this season ends in drunkenness caused by the champagne of victory rather than the beer of defeat. Soccer team beats Sooners, loses later to Oklahoma State By Harley V. Rattliff sports@kansan.com Kansas swriter In two games this weekend, the Kansas soccer team's defense only allowed one goal. Un fortunately, the Jayhawks' offense only could muster one goal as well. one 1-0 win against Oklahoma and one 1-0 loss to Oklahoma State. The result: Kansas opened the final Big 12 conference weekend by capturing its second conference victory this season. Friday's victory, however, didn't come easy. The Jayhawks and Sooners battled for 119 minutes and 57 seconds before the contest was decided. Kansas dominated most of the game, continually pushing forward and applying pressure on the Sooners' goalkeeper. The Jayhawks outshot Oklahoma 30-8 but were unable to capitalize in regulation. "It was typical of the entire season," said head coach Dan Magner. "We had the opportunities; we just seem to be snake-bitten." Several times during the game, the Jayhawks looked as if they might score but were turned away by errant shots, poor decisions or good defense. After a scoreless regulation, both teams continued to be unable to score in overtime. With the clock winding down in the second overtime period and the game heading toward a scoreless tie, redshirt freshman Christy Clark scored, clinching the Kansas victory with only three seconds remaining. "As the game goes on, you start to get nervous that things aren't going to go your way," Clark said. "I called for the ball and took the shot. I didn't even know that there was three seconds left. I was just hoping that it would go in." After the game, Magner said that he was proud of his team, especially the play of his two captains, who helped hold the Sooners scoreless. "This is exhilarating," he said. "It was a hard-fought game. I felt that we had most of the play, so it seemed a just reward to get the win. I have to give tremendous credit to Jackie Dowell and Lindsay Loeffler, who really stepped up as captains." Kansas, however, suffered a disappointment yesterday against Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks came out flat, allowing the Cowgirls to dictate the pace and play. Oklahoma State succeeded in slowing down the game with tactical fouls and physical play. The Cowgirls recorded 35 penalties and three yellow cards. "It looked like American Gladiators," Magner said. "They were looking to slow the game. It was apparent that their plan Midfielder Meghann Haven fights for the ball against an Oklahoma State player during the game yesterday at the SuperTarget field. Photo by Geoff