4B Monday, August 19, 1996 UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Former Tarheel goalkeeper leads women's soccer to net Team hopes to push ahead from last year Brian A. Petrotta Kansan sportswriter When you think of the North Carolina connection to sports at the University of Kansas, the first name that comes to mind is Roy Williams, North Carolina assistant coach under Dean Smith before replacing Larry Brown as the head coach of the KU basketball team. But there is another name with a North Carolina connection that deserves recognition. The name is Lori Walker. As a Tarheel from 1989 to 1991, she was the goalkeeper for the nation's most prestigious women's soccer program. UNC won three national championships during her tenure in the net. It was this winning attitude and tradition that made her the top choice to lead last year's inaugural season of women's soccer at Kansas. With a crew of 14 freshmen, eight sophomores and one junior, Walker guided the first-year program to a respectable 6-12 record, including a 4-4 mark at home. More importantly, they were 5-3 against other first-year teams, indicating that they are well on their way to building a competitive program. Fifteen players are returning and 10 new players have signed on. Among the returning starters is Denise Cooke, who topped the 'Hawks in every offensive category last season. She, along with Jackie Dowell, Kim Ambruz, and Micaela Brogan, started all 18 games last year. But even with a year of experience, this still is a young team. This year's group includes 11 freshmen, nine sophomores, and five juniors. The Jayhawks begin the season with four home games and play 11 of 19 at SuperTarget Field. The club kicks off the year with a home match on Aug. 31 against the University of Evansville. The Aces beat the Jayhawks 5-1 last year in Indiana, so Kansas will be looking for revenge on their home turf. The friendly schedule, a year of experience, and some talented new faces appear to be the right mix to make an exciting and competitive soccer season. And while Roy Williams may be the name that comes up when one mentions the connection between the North Carolina and Kansas sports programs, Lori Walker is building a top program in one of the fastest growing college sports. Women's soccer schedule Aug. 31 EVANSVILLE ...1 p.m. Sept. 2 CREIGHTON ...1 p.m. Sept. 5 ORAL ROBERTS ...4 p.m. Sept. 8 ILLINOIS STATE ...1 p.m. Sept. 13 Texas A&M ...5:30 p.m. Sept. 15 Texas ...1 p.m. Sept. 20 Arkansas ...4 p.m. Sept. 22 Tulsa ...1 p.m. Sept. 27 TEXAS TECH ...4 p.m. Sept. 29 BAYLOR ...1 p.m. Oct. 4 New Mexico ...8 p.m. Oct. 6 Texas-El Paso ...1 p.m. Oct. 11 MISSOURI ...2 p.m. Oct. 18 IOWA STATE ...4 p.m. Oct. 20 NEBRASKA ...1 p.m. Oct. 25 Colorado ...3 p.m. Oct. 27 Oklahoma State ...1 p.m. Nov. 1 WISCONSIN- GREEN BAY ...3 p.m. Nov. 3 WYOMING ...1 p.m. Nov. 6-10 Big 12 Conference Championship ..St. Louis Home games in ALL CAPS Kansas sophomore middle/forward Sarah Korpi (left) and Kansas junior defender Micaela Brogan fight for the ball during an intersquad game Thursday at the soccer practice fields. Staff photographer KANSAN Pitchers outnumber other young recruits Nannini comes to bat with an experienced hitting,fielding career Cameron Heeg Kansan staff reporter The Kansas baseball team received an injection of youth this summer in an effort to add more depth to the team. With one of their largest recruiting classes, the Jayhawks brought in a total of 16 new players. "We are following the philosophy of carrying more people in the program," said Kansas assistant baseball coach Wilson Kilmer. "It is a move away from the smaller squads Coach Bingham carried, to fit the traditional ideals of Coach Randall." The new recruits will add depth to the team, Kilmer said. But the area most affected is pitching. Nine of the 16 new recruits are pitchers, and eight of those pitchers are freshmen. "Last year pitching wasn't our strong point, Kilmer said. "The team is looking for some adjustments in pitching." Casey Barrett, with eight saves last year, will return with Arcic Purses (2-6, 9.26 ERA), Chris Williams (2-1, 9.32 ERA), Linus Williams (2-0, 8.18 ERA) and Josh Wingerd (1-1, 5.66 ERA). The coaches think the returning pitchers will be improved this season, but the inexperienced recruits will be put to work. "The young guys need to give us a strong pitching staff," Kilmer said. "It is a matter of the younger guys getting stronger and taking leadership roles. They need to step up and produce." In addition to the nine young pitchers, Randall recruited two outfielders, three catchers and one infielder. They should help ease the heartache caused by the departure of the team's best hitters, Isaac Byrd, who joined the St. Louis Cardinal's organization and Josh Kliner, who joined the Arizona Diamondbacks. Byrd will return for his senior year to play football. Kansas junior pitcher Tim Lyons pitches during a game last season. The Kansas baseball team has recruited nine new pitchers to the team. Eight of the new pitchers are freshmen. The recent signing of California's Merced College MVP Kevin Nannini will give the team needed hitting strength and strong outfield defense. In 1996, Nannini hit .340 with 38 RBI and five home runs. He can also steal bases. He was ranked second in Northern California with 29 stolen bases, four of which were impressive robberies of home plate. "We are very pleased that Kevin is going to be a Jayhawk," Randall said. "He is an experienced player, who we are really pleased to have coming to Kansas." 2429 Iowa 841-9922 Voted Best Burger in Lawrence Lunch and Dinner Specials Monday-Friday $3.99 Lunch Specials (Manager's Choice) from 11 AM - 2 PM Monday Burger Day $1.00 Off All 1/2 lb. 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