Friday, October 8, 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section B- Page 3 Soccer fans flood Arrowhead Stadium Wizards hoping to bank on rising interest in sport By Brad Hallier sports@kansan.com Associate sports editor KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The U.S. women's soccer team helped make Kansas City history last night. The world champions played the nightcap of the first two full-international soccer matches in the area's history. The enthusiastic Arrowhead Stadium crowd of 36,405, the largest soccer crowd ever in Kansas City, watched the United States defeat Finland 6-0. Brazil defeated South Korea 4-0 in the day match. The attendance was also the largest in the history of U.S. women's soccer for a midweek, non-Olympic or World Cup game. The Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer have struggled both on the field and at the gate, causing a few quiet complaints that perhaps the Wizards should move. But all that may change. U. S. Women's Soccer fans cheer as the starting lineups are announced last night at Arrowhead. The crowd of 36,405 was the largest soccer crowd in Kansas City history. Photo by Eric Schammann/Kansas "It was a wonderful atmosphere, and hopefully it's something this city will build on," said forward Mia Hamm, the world's top female soccer player. "It was an exciting atmosphere, a World Cup atmosphere. "We didn't know what to expect from the crowd, but they made it very special. With practices this week, at the hotel, downtown, everyone knew who we were." Kansas City's enthusiasm wasn't just for the U.S. team. The crowd gave Finland a standing ovation during the startling lineups. But when the game began, the cheers only were for the U.S. team. And of course, the United States did not disappoint its fans. In the 10th minute, forward Tiffany Milbrett scored off a pass from forward Mia Hamm, Hamm's first of three assists, which sent the crowd into an early frenzy. The crowd got louder with each U.S. attack, shouted in anticipation with each shot on goal and screamed its approval after all six goals. It even cheered when goalkeeper Briana Scurry picked up a harmless Finland pass. More than 25,000 tickets were sold before game day. That number easily surpassed the previous largest soccer crowd in Kansas City of 21,141, which the Wizards established during their inaugural game April 13, 1996. When U.S. Soccer announced on Aug. 11 that Kansas City, Mo., would join Columbus, Ohio, and Louisville, Ky., as the three sites for the 1999 NIKE Women's U.S. Cup, Doug Newman, Wizards general manager, was excited. He said he hoped that the U.S. Cup crowd would spill into Wizards' games. "Obviously we were excited that U.S. Soccer awarded one of the cup games to Kansas City," he said. "We hope the excitement carries over to our games, but there's no way of knowing. They will see a high level of soccer with the women, and they will see the same Saturday with the Wizards." And considering the record crowd last night, Newman said that the high level of soccer might not stop with the women's national team. "Iimagine what the crowd could have been if it were a Saturday night," he said. "This puts us in a good position to host the excitement of future international games, men's and women's." The Kansas soccer team hopes to bank on that excitement as well for this weekend's Big 12 Conference matches with Oklahoma State today and Oklahoma on Sunday. "I hope the excitement carries over," said Katie Lents, Jayhawk midfielder who attended last night's games. "Our attendance will go up in the next couple of years with a new stadium and lights, but the crowds this year have been better." But Lents, Overland Park junior, said that she thought there was a better reason as to why attendance at women's soccer games continued to be impressive at the national level, as well as on the rise for the Javahawks. "People are finding out how competitive women are, or can be." Edited by Darrin Peschka U. S. forward Mia Hamm leads a breakway down the sideline. Hamm had three assists in the first half and sat out the second half of the game. Photo by Eric Schmann/KANSAN Hamm paces U.S. team Continued from page 1B Whalen split the defense and buried a shot into the lower right corner past Finland's goalkeeper Satu Kunnas. DiCicco removed his starting front line during the second half in preparation for the team's next game against Brazil. Brazil won earlier yesterday at Arrowhead 4-0 against South Korea. "The [goal of the team] is to win the tournament, so I took out our three frontrunners so that their legs could be fully rested against Brazil," DiCicco said. The second half continued with much of the same for the United States. In the 54th minute, forward Danielle Fotopoulos gunned a cross to an onrushing Kristine Lilly for the United States' fourth goal. Nine minutes later Brandi Chastain served a pass to Lilly, who netted her second goal of the game. The final goal came in the 88th minute when Shannon MacMillan took a shot from the top of the box. It was deflected off a Finland defender and into the goal. Hamm was pleased that the team was still playing at a high level, and hopes the success will continue. "This U.S. Cup is a celebration of what we did this summer," Hamm said. "I think you use every game as something to [build] your confidence with." - Edited by Mike Loader Kansas to duel Oklahoma for Big 12 berth sports@kansan.com Kansan sportswriter The stakes will be high for the Kansas soccer team when it plays Oklahoma State at 4 p.m. today at SuperTarget Field. By Chris Wristen Specifically, a Big 12 Conference tournament berth is on the line, because the Jayhawks and Cowgirls are part of a four-way tie for the final spot. Kansas has the tie-breaker advantage against Texas Tech thanks to a victory last Sunday, and a win today would give them the same advantage against Oklahoma State. "It (winning both games) won't get us in for sure, but it'd make our chances a whole lot better," said coach Mark Francis. "But if we don't win, then our chances are going to be slim." Kansas enters the game riding high after winning four of its last five games, including the thriller against Texas Tech. The loss came to No. 14-ranked Baylor, and the Jawhayks battled to the wire. "Knowing we can play with the 10. No 14 team, Baylor, and to beat Texas Tech right on the rebound (was A once stagnant offense, which scored only 19 goals in 19 games last season, already has netted 20 goals in just 11 games. That offensive punch is led by sophomore Melanie Schroeder, junior Hilla Rantala and senior Melissa Downing, who have scored three goals each this season. great for us," said junior midfielder Katie Lents. and junior Meghann Haven, who leads the team in assists with five. Francis hopes this offensive success will continue this week as well. Oklahoma State won't be easy for the Jayhawks, despite what their 3-9 record shows. The Cowgirls went 2-1 last week with a shutout win against Oklahoma and a 3-1 win against Louisiana State, but fell to Colorado 4-2. With a win today, Oklahoma State would climb back into contention for a Big 12 Conference tournament berth as well. "I'd like to be able to keep doing it." Francis said. "We still need to do a better job of converting our chances, though." The Cowgirls are led by junior forward Andrea Larsen, who scored three goals this last week, including both game-winners. They have only scored 12 goals in 12 games this sea- KANSAS SOCCER - Who: Kansas (6-5, 1-3 Big 12) vs. Oklahoma State (2-8-1, 1-3 Big 12) - When: Today at 4 p.m. - Where: SuperTarget Field --nat would be a record." Lents said. "Mentally, we all know we can do it, just knowing that we're finally getting in the groove of things and everything's coming together. It'd be a huge accomplishment." The Jayhawks will play Oklahoma at 1 pm. Sunday. The Sooners, 2-81 and at 1-3 in the conference, are still in the race for the final conference tournament spot. Kansas is confident it can defeat Oklahoma and run its conference win streak to three. son,however, while giving up 35 - Edited by Mike Loader KANSAN COUPONS Central National Bank Receive $10 when you open a free checking account Kansas VALUE from a Kansas Bank. Good at participating locations only. Restrictions apply. Expires 12/31/99. 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Many events, including: Registration 8a.m.-7p.m. on Saturday at South Park Recreation Registration 7 a.m. on Sunday at South ParkRecreation Center * To the Tour Do Counts 9:30 a.m. Saturday Registration 7a.m. on Sunday at South ParkRecreation • The Tour De County: 9:30am Saturday 30 mile ride through pastoral Douglas County then return to Lawrence for lunch at Free State Brewery (optional). Departures are at 6:45 a.m. - Ride Start- 8:30am Sunday - Ride Start- 8:30am Sunday The 30th Anniversary 80 mile tour of Northeastern Kansas, with an optional 40 mile route available. Soup and sandwich lunch on the road at Tanganoxie. Fee $18 For more information concerning events, lodging, and registration call Jim Turner between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.at 842-5174 Please share the road with motorists