THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2006
SPORTS11A
SOCCER
Kansas learns from Colorado game's mistakes
Kansan file photo
Monica Dolinsky (10), freshman midfielder, moves past Nikki Keller (6), sophomore midfielder during Friday's game against Colorado. Kansas lost the game 4-0, but used the loss as a learning experience.
BY MARK DENT
Two days before Halloween. Kansas coach Mark Francis put together his own scary movie to frighten his players.
The film ran for 11 minutes and contained "all of the horrendous things" Kansas did during its 4-0 loss against Colorado.
"There wasn't a sound in the room," Francis said. "At the end I was like, 'That was pretty bad,' and they said, 'Oh veah.'"
Francis will see if his directorial expertise can spark the Jayhawks (11-7, 6-4) to avenge Friday's loss when they face the Buffaloes again in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament at 1:30 p.m. today in San Antonio, Texas.
Today's game comes a mere five days after Kansas played its worst game since 2001 and ended a fourgame winning streak. Colorado's four
goals were more than Kansas' defense had allowed in all other Big 12 games combined.
"When you're that much of a nightmare, there's not a whole lot you have to say as a coach," Francis said. "The players know."
Although the loss to the Buffalooes was not a positive for the Jayhawks, the players said it couldn't have come at a better time. They said it provided motivation for Kansas before its most important game this season.
"I think we kind of have the upper hand just 'cause they killed us", junior defender Afton Sauer said. "We've got nothing to lose, so we're going to come out hard."
Winning in the Big 12 Tournament didn't come easy for the Jayhawks last year. Kansas met Nebraska in the first round of the tournament and lost 3-1 after allowing two goals in the first half.
After winning the Big 12 regular
season championship in 2004, the Jayhawks struggled again in the tournament. Texas upset Kansas in the semifinal round, and that marked the only time in the last three seasons the Jayhawks have advanced past the first round of the tournament.
"It's really crucial that we do well in this tournament," sophomore midfielder Jessica Bush said. "How well we do will determine our future in the NCAAs."
Last year, Kansas had a nearly identical record at 11-6-1, 6-3-1 when it headed into the Big 12 Tournament. After their loss to the Cornhuskers in the first round, the Jayhawks were not chosen for the NCAA Tournament. With similar circumstances this year, Wednesday's game could potentially be the last game of the season for Kansas if it loses.
"If we don't win Wednesday, our season is probably over," Francis said.
"We have to show up to win and obviously to do that, we'll have to play better."
Notes
Senior forward Holly Gault, sophomore midfielder Jessica Bush, sophomore midfielder Missy Geha and sophomore defender Jenny Murtaugh were named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. Freshman forward Monica Dolinksy and freshman defender Estelle Johnson was named to the All-Big 12 Newcomer Team.
— Nebraska forward Brittany Timko and Oklahoma State midfielder Yolanda Odenyo shared Big 12 Player of the Year honors.
Kansan sportswriter Mark Dent can be contacted at mdent@kansan.com.
calendar
-Edited by Brett Bolton
TODAY
Soccer vs. Colorado, 1:30 p.m., Big 12 Tournament, San Antonio
Volleyball at Texas, 6:30 p.m., Austin, Texas
- Women's basketball vs.
Fort Hays State, exhibition
game, 7 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse
THURSDAY
Men's basketball vs. Wash-
burn, exhibition game, 7 p.m.
Allen Fieldhouse
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
FRIDAY Swimming & Diving vs.
Northern Iowa, 6 p.m., Robinson
Center
SATURDAY Swimming & Diving vs. Northern Iowa, 10 a.m., Robinson Center
Football at Iowa State, 1 p.m., Ames, Iowa
Volleyball at Iowa State, 6:30 p.m., Ames, Iowa
SUNDAY
Rowing, Head of the Chatahooochee, TBA, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
SUNDAY Women's basketball vs. Washburn, exhibition game, 2 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse
- **Rowing**, Head of the Chattahoochee, TBA, Chattanooga, Tenn.
BIG 12 SOCCER
Texas A&M predicted to win tournament Eight conference teams to compete in San Antonio; Kansan picks games, players to watch
BY MARK DENT
It's November Nirvana for NCAA soccer diehairs. Like the month of March for basketball, November provides the excitement of conference tournaments and later the NCAA Tournament. Here is a quick guide of what to look forward to during the Big 12 Tournament that starts today in San Antonio. Games will be played every other day until the tournament concludes Sunday.
The Match-ups
No. 1 Texas A&M vs. No. 8
Bavlor 11 a.m.
No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 5 Colorado — 1:30 p.m.
No. 2 Oklahoma State vs. No. 7 Oklahoma — 5:30 p.m.
No. 3 Texas vs. No. 6 Nebraska
730-899-2511
The City
Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio has been the site of the Big 12 Tournament for 10 straight years. In addition to the Alamo, San Antonio is also known for its downtown RiverWalk and good weather. The forecasted high for today is 78 degrees.
The Contenders
Oklahoma State (15-2-2, 8-1-1)
Texas A&M (13-4-1, 9-1) — The Aggies have been the Big 12's version of Brazil the last couple of years, with two consecutive Big 12 Tournament championships. But this year's team scores enough to make even Ronaldini blush. A&M averaged a ridiculous 3.1 goals per game in a conference where no other team averaged even two goals.
Texas (15-3-1, 8-1-1) - Must the Longhorns be good at every sport? It wouldn't be a stretch to see Texas win this tournament and
- A second-place finish for the Cowgirls isn't quite Bruce-Willisat-the-end-of-The-Sixth-Sense shocking, but it is close. Oklahoma State finished in eighth place last season but has lost only to Texas A&M this year during its magical conference run.
Kansas (11-7, 6-4) — Here's the good news: The Jayhawks have won four out of five games and dominated the Aggies before falling 1-0 in overtime. Now, the bad: Against good teams Kansas records lower scores than Tiger Woods. The Jayhawks went scoreless against the Longhorns, Aggies, Cowgirls and
The Plavers
Nikki Marshall, F, Colorado — This freshman leads the Big 12 in goals with 14 and put four through the net earlier this season against Clemson.
Colorado (11-5-2, 6-4-1) — The Buffaloes, who lost to the Aggies in overtime in last year's Big 12 championship game, reached as high as No. 11 in the national rankings before struggling early during conference play. Since losing its third-straight game at bottom-feeder Missouri, Colorado has responded with four straight victories heading into San Antonio.
Julie Hanley, GK, Kansas — Surprisingly left off the All Big 12 team despite leading the conference in goals-against average in Big 12 play. Hanley can single-handedly win games for Kansas.
Brittany Timko, F, Nebraska — This three-time Big 12 Player of the Year belongs to an elite group with 41 goals and 42 assists in her career.
Buffaloes.
Amy Berend, MF, Texas A&M
Amy Berend, MI, Texas A&M — Want to know how dangerous Berend is? Just ask a Jayhawk defender about how she rifled a 25-footer with pinpoint accuracy to sink Kansas in overtime.
Kasey Moore, D, Texas -- Last year's Big 12 Rookie of the Year, Moore is the leader of the Longhorns' defense that allows only 3.6 shots on goal per game.
The Prediction
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Texas A&M over Texas — The Longhorns did upset the Aggies earlier this season, but they won't beat one of the country's top teams twice. A&M has already proved itself by defeating top teams such as North Carolina and Illinois in nonconference play; rolling through Big 12 play and will make another statement by taking home their thirdstraight Big 12 Championship.
Kansan sportswriter Mark Dent can be contacted at mdent@kansan.com.
Edited by Brett Bolton
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