Section B · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, August 19, 1999
Soccer team does double duty
Kansas defender Natalie Hoogveld, right, heads the ball over her opponent and teammate, defender Lindsey Loelfle during practice. The soccer team ended its two-a-day practices yesterday in preparation for its opening game next week. Photo by Chad Cummings/KANSAN
Two-a-day practices help members bond
Chris Wristen sports@kansan.com
Kansan sportswriter
Going to class never sounded so good. The Kansas women's soccer team wrapped up two-a-day practices yesterday after a week of battling high temperatures.
Practice was held, regardless of the temperature.
"They're not fun," said sophomore midfielder Allie Heyworth. "I'm very excited for school to start because then they're over, but it's gotta be done."
"Obviously the afternoon sessions are a lot tougher because of the heat, but they've been doing a good job," Coach Mark Francis said. "They haven't been complaining about it. They've just been getting on with the job at hand so you can't really fault them on their effort."
The team's effort is something that has pleased Francis immensely.
"Their work ethic has been really good," Francis said. "Two-a-day's are hard, especially when it's this hot, but they've been buckling down and doing a good job."
The practices also have been time consuming for the players.
"I eat, sleep, play soccer. That's about it," junior defender Kylie Watts said.
The extra practices haven't bothered Watts though, and she's been pleased with how they've been going.
Morning practices have consisted mostly of defensive work, and offensive drills have been saved for afternoon sessions. Those morning practices have helped the team's defense improve immensely, said Francis.
"The defenders in the back have been doing a good job when we've worked with them as far as defending in the defensive third of the field," Francis said.
Heyworth agreed.
"Our defense is awesome," Heyworth said. "We've been concentrating a lot on our defense. We just have the most solid defense in the Big 12 I think."
The only strike against the defense may
be the loss of junior Ashley Gorham, who broke her kneecap while playing for her club team during the summer.
"She's out for a while," Francis said. "We're hoping she's going to be able to come back, but we'll just have to wait and see."
While the defense looks solid, Francis would like to see offensive improvements.
"We need to improve our ability to keep possession of the ball," Francis said. "Our play in the attacking third of the field needs to be better."
Although time consuming and hot, the two-a-day's have helped pull the team closer together.
"We're a little more comfortable with
each other," Watts said. "We're getting to know how each other plays more. We're getting more touches on the ball and getting back into the flow of things."
Francis also believes the extra practices have been good for his players.
"The team as a group is bonding together," Francis said. "When you work hard together as a group, doing anything brings you a little bit closer together, so that's been good."
He is also pleased with the way his players support one another on the field.
"They've really been encouraging each other which is good to see because that stuff is going to make a difference in the end."
Edited by Jamie Knodel
Sports clubs offer students year-round competition
By Scott Kirsch sports@kanson.com Kansas sportwriter
From badminton to ultimate frisbee, the Sport Club Program at the University of Kansas has something to offer nearly everyone.
Unlike the intramural sports also organized by Recreation Services, Sport Club activities go year-round and are geared toward students more dedicated to a particular sport. They also can be competitive, recreational or instructional in nature, depending on the interests of the participants.
Because the clubs are year-round, the financial needs are much greater than the intramural program. Rick Rosenstengle, associate director of Recreation Services, said that Student Senate tried to help out as much as possible, but their resources were somewhat limited.
"The financial help a club receives is based on a tier system." Rosenstengle said. "It depends on how many members a club has, what each member has to pay, and how much money the club can generate."
Also, unlike intermurals, sport clubs may represent the University in intercollegiate competition and perform club activities, such as practice.
Coach Carl Eaton said he is excited about this year's team, although it lost four seniors from last year's suaul.
One example of a successful club has been the soccer club. Last year the team was a national quarterfinalist. Midwest Regional Champion and it won the Ed Chartrand Memorial Tournament, while posting a 17-3-2 record.
Eaton said he has generally been pleased with the progress of the sports club, but like any good coach, he wants more.
"We would still like to see a Big 12 (Conference) tourney take place in the near future," he said. "It would be fun for all the teams to get together and compete some weekend. Obviously we also would like to see the University get a Division-I program going.
"Iowa State and some of the Texas schools have particularly good teams, but there are still no Division-I soccer
"Iowa State and some of the Texas schools have particularly good teams, but there are still no Division-I soccer men teams in the Big 12."
Carl Eaton Soccer club coach
men teams in the Big 12."
And even though the soccer club has seen its share of success, the lack of a Division-I status has hurt the team in some competition, especially when it battled Brigham Young University last year.
"BYU, although they are the exception, is sponsored by Nike. All their players have been offered Division-I scholarships, and their classes are scheduled around soccer." Eaton said.
They defeated the Jayhawks 3-0.
Kansas practices three times a week, but practices must be scheduled around their classes, not the other way around. Although the club receives $6,500 a year from Student Senate, it is still left scrambling for extra revenue.
Eric Gray, Overland Park senior, has played on the soccer club for four years, but this year his role has changed, since he has taken on the role of president. His duties include getting uniforms, scheduling and financing.
"We still have to go out and get donations, advertising and all that stuff to pay for uniforms and travel expenses," Gray said.
However, Gray said it was all worth it.
However, Gray said it was all worth it. The soccer club began tryouts Aug. 17, and its main season goes through November, but it probably will have a few games in the spring as well.
The club is planning to return to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in the spring, where it played last April after a Kansas City Wizards game. The club members also hope to qualify for the national tournament.
If interested in a sports club, call 864- 3546, or stop by the Office of Recreation Services.
—Edited by Matt Gardner
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