8B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SOCCER
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009
Freshman, senior compete for starting goalie position
BY JOEL PETTERSON jpetterson@kansan.com
Kansas goalkeepers Julie Hanley and Kat Liebetrau haven't just been battling shots and crosses from other teams this year — they've also been competing against each other to start in every game.
Last weekend's games marked the third time this season that coach Mark Francis has switched his starting goalkeeper. It's a result of the tight competition that started during preseason between Hanley, a senior, and Liebetrau, a redshirt freshman.
"I don't think either one of them at any point has made that spot purely their own to where the other hasn't been able to challenge them," Francis said.
Aside from an injury her junior year, Hanley has started for the Jayhawks since halfway through her freshman year. But it was Liebetrau who began this season as keeper. Hanley was recovering from an illness and an injury from the summer, so Liebetrau received the first playing time of her career. For Liebetrau, it was a moment she had long looked forward to.
"I was really excited," she said.
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Petterson at
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j_petter.
"With not playing at all last year, I was really anxious to get out there and play in a game."
With Liebetrau as goalkeeper, the team started 5-0 in non-conference play. But Hanley earned the spot back in the third week
of the season and kept it for the next eight games, when the team went 3-4-1 entering Big 12 play.
"She beat me out fair and square in the preseason," Hanley said. "I think I slowly started playing the way I was able to."
Hanley would continue to start this Friday against Nebraska.
"It's really been week-to-week," he said. "One of them will have a really good week in training, and the other one maybe not as good."
"I don't think either one of them at any point has made that spot purely their own."
With the spot up for grabs each weekend, both goalkeepers have been working extra every day before practice. For Liebetrau the focus has been improving her foot skills and her ability to read games; Hanley has concentrated on improving every area of her play
MARK FRANCIS Soccer coach
"It's just a battle," Liebetrau said. "I love it. It's a good thing; it pushes both of us to work hard."
But the inconsistency each week has taken a bit of a toll on the players. It's certainly an adjustment from last year, when Hanley started
all but one game for the Jayhawks.
"If you're playing one week and not the next, from that aspect it can be a little frustrating and difficult," Hanley said.
The competition stays on the field for Hanley and Liebetrau.
Senior goalkeeper Julie Hanley punches away a shot attempt from a Rhode Island player during the second half of a game earlier this season at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. Hanley and Katie Liebauer have been competing for starting goalkeper since the beginning of the season.
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN FILE PHOTO
though. Liebetrau said they have remained good friends and encouraged each other.
goalkeeper swapping hasn't had a huge effect, senior Estelle Johnson said.
As for the rest of the team, the
"We have confidence in both of
them", she said. "We do our part and expect them to do theirs."
Edited by Alicia Banister
INTRAMURALS
Dodgeball provides nostalgic fun
BY KRISTINA POLLARD kpollard@kansan.com
Dodgeball is a growing intramural sport offered by KU recreation services that attracts many students looking for a way to have fun. Intramural dodgeball begins its season this week. Teams held meetings Tuesday and games begin Sunday.
Kyle Kimura, Overland Park junior, said he and his team, the Febreezeers, definitely play dodgeball just for fun.
"But I'm sure we'll get competitive once the season gets going," Kimura said.
For some people, playing dodgeball is a way to bring back nostalgic feelings about playing the games as kids. Jobe Buehler, Bonner Springs junior, said dodgeball was one of his favorite sports growing up.
Although Buehler plays to bring him back to his childhood days, he
"You don't really get to play it in high school or anything, so it's just a fun opportunity to play it in college. It just takes you back." Buehler said.
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also plays for a little competition.
often have a main competition.
"Of course you want to win," Buehler said. "We play to win but the fun part is still there too. We
don't get mad at each other. We always go for the gold. You don't play to lose," Buehler said.
For Emily
Sis, Kansas City,
Kan., sophomore,
playing
dodgeball
"It just really reminds me of P.E. in middle school."
fast or anything." Sis said. "It just really reminds me of PE. in middle school. So I just thought it would be something really fun that everyone could participate in."
Mike Ratkovitch, Milwaukee senior, played dodgball intramurals last fall. Although he said it was fun, he also said it was competitive.
"It's just something that I feel like a lot more of the girls can do because you don't have to be really
is about including everyone who wants to play. Sis plays in the all-girls division.
"It's such a quick game and there are so many things going on and
EMILY SIS Kansas City, Kan. sophomore
there is only one ref so it's hard for them to keep track of what's on out," Ratcovitch said. "There are a lot of questionable plays and you kind of have to make your own calls. If one team makes a bad call, the other team can get pretty heated."
tion, or to bring back middle school memories, it is definitely an alternative to the commonly played intramural sports.
Edited by Sarah Kelly
Whether dodgeball is played for fun,competi
NFL
Winless Rams prepare to face Colts in light of trade
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ST. LOUIS — Woes at wide receiver prompted the St. Louis Rams to trade starting linebacker Will Wetherspoon for an Eagles backup with no career receptions.
That puts the heat on Donnie Avery, who'll try to shake off a bruised hip and get back on the field this week against the unbeaten Colts.
"it's just a little hump in the road." Avery said. "I'm going to
The second-year wide receiver didn't practice Wednesday while restricted to off-field drills, but expects to be ready. Two days earlier, an MRI exam that revealed a bruise instead of a stress fracture provided a measure of relief for a player who toughed out a solid rookie season with a similar injury.
get over it, get out there and make plays. The best receivers, you're always going to have obstacles."
Avery said he's been experiencing sharp pain when he tries to stretch out on a route but expects daily massages to reduce that.
Whether or not Avery plays, the winless Rams (0-6) will go with an inexperienced crew at wide receiver against the Colts (5-0). Keanen Burton (17 catches) was a fourth-round pick last year, Danny Amendola (nine catches, 24-yard kickoff return average) has been with St. Louis a month after getting signed off the Eagles' practice squad and Tim Carter (one catch) was re-signed last week after being among the final cuts before the season opener.
Brandon Gibson, acquired from the Eagles for Witherspoon and a fifth-round draft pick next
season, fits right in. He holds career records at Washington State for receiving yards (2,756) and touchdowns (17) but lasted until the sixth round of this year's draft after a dropoff his senior season in college.
"He's definitely got some ability," quarterback Marc Bulger said. "He's still a rookie, too, so there's a huge learning curve he's going through right now. Hopefully he can help us later in the year."
Buried deep on the Eagles' roster, he played in Week 3. Given Philadelphia and St. Louis run similar offenses, there's a chance he could dress on Sunday.
Bulger insists the self-inflicted position shortage has not been a frustration for him, even though he's directing an offense that averages an NFL-low nine points per game.