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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2005
PAGE 1B
WWW.KANSAN.COM
SOCCER
Jnch Kirk/KANSAN
Senior forward Caroline Smith battles Texas A&M defender Jordan Falcusan for control of the ball. The Jayhawks lost to the Aggies in overtime with less than three minutes left on the clock.
Players' spirits high after hard-fought loss
BY ALISSA BAUER
abauer@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
"We come away with a loss, but there is no doubt in anyone that watched this game that we were the better team," senior forward Caroline Smith said. "If they are supposed to be the best team in the Big 12 then we've definitely got some good stuff to show this year."
Kansas players maintain their pride and continue to look forward to the rest of the season despite a 1-0 victory against Baylor and a 3-2 loss to No. 14 Texas A&M this past weekend.
The Jayhawks edged the Baylor Bears in their first Big 12 Conference contest on Friday before dropping a toss-up match yesterday afternoon to the Texas A&M Aggies, who were picked first in the pre-season Big 12 coaches poll.
Although Texas A&M racked up eight shots on goal to Kansas' six shots — split between two Jayhawks — Kansas soccer coach Mark Francis was happy with his team's effort.
"A&M is one of the best teams in the Big 12," Francis said. "I told our guys you're not going to play anybody this year better than them. And I thought we played very evenly with them and, at times, outplayed them."
Kansas never held a lead in the match, as both goals came from behind to tie. An overtime period looked certain before the Aggies ended the game with less than three minutes to play.
The Aggies seemed to control the game's tempo, as well as the location of the ball in the beginning of the match. As the game continued, however, the pace shifted toward the lav Hawks' control.
Texas A&M sophomore forward Melissa Garey was the beginning, middle and end of the Aggies' victory, as she scored each goal, picking up
Justin O'Neal/KANSAN
Freshman utility player Stevie Cristo locks on to first base to beat the Pits-urb State bump attempt. The Jawhawks defeated the Gorillas 2-1 in eight innings.
See more photos from the week's soccer
She struck first in the 22nd minute with a header from nine yards out. Freshman midfielder Laura Robinson and sophomore forward Ashlee Pistorius each assisted in the play.
the hat trick
SOFTBALL
Kansas junior midfelder Michelle Rasmussen took a turn for the Jayhawks in the 35th minute, beating A&M senior goalkeeper Kati Jo Spisak on a one-on-one. That marked the third time Spisak has allowed a goal this season.
game at kansan.com/galleries
"I just got a great ball from Nicole Braman and stayed composed," Rasmussen said. "I thought I better make this or people are going to be mad," Rasmussen said.
Pitchers dominate, sweep weekend
SEE SPIRITS ON PAGE 8B
BY SAM CARLSON
scarlson@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
In the bottom of the eighth inning, with the bases loaded, senior infielder Jessica Moppin was hit by a pitch, forcing in the winning run.
The Kansas softball team went undefeated this weekend and won the Kansas Softball Invitational.
Strong pitching helped the Jayhawks earn a 4-0 record for the weekend.
On Saturday, Kansas defeated both Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern, with the second victory being more convincing than the first.
In game one, senior pitcher Kassie Humphreys pitched five solid innings, allowing only one hit and one run while striking out seven batters.
Freshman pitcher Valerie George took over for Humphreys and pitched three perfect innings.
Moppin, Kansas' all-time home run leader, set the tone for the game when she blasted a pitch over the left field wall in
"Val George came in and did a great job as a freshman. I was pretty pleased with the pitching staff overall," Kansas softball coach Tracy Bunge said.
Kansas' bats came alive in the second game of the day as it pounded Missouri Southern 7-0.
Offensively, the Jayhawks had no trouble getting on base, but they couldn't manage to drive in any runs in the early part of the game.
Kansas left 10 runners on base through seven innings.
Pittsburg State led Kansas the entire game until Kansas tied the score in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Freshman infielder Val Chappe hit a double off the top of the wall, barely missing a home run.
She eventually scored, and the game was sent into extra innings tied 1-1.
game at kansan.com/galleries
the first inning for her first home run of the fall season.
See more photos from the weekend's softball
Senior pitcher Serena Settlemier struck out 11 of the 12 batters she faced before George relieved her in the fifth inning.
Settlemier's bat complemented her pitching, as she collected two hits and one run.
George finished the game without giving up a hit, ending the first day of her college softball career in impressive fashion.
"I was anxious to get out there and just try to get my first game out of the way. But it feels really good now and I'm really excited," George said.
George wasn't the only freshman who had a successful debut.
Freshman infielder Val Chapple had three hits and scored three runs on the day.
SEE PITCHERS ON PAGE 8B
VOLLEYBALL
Kansas struggles with Baylor, wins 3-0
kansas junior outside hitter Jana Correa spikes the ball for a Kansas point over two Baylor defenders. Correa led the team with 13 kills as the Jayhawks swept the Bears three games to none on Saturday.
Josh Kick/KANSAN
STBY MATT WILSON
mwilson@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
As the Jayhawks struggled to close out the match in game three, their 29-25 advantage turned into a 30-29 Baylor lead. Kansas regained focus, though, and scored the next three points to win 32-30 and send Baylor to the bus with its second straight conference loss.
Kansas improved to 11-2 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play. Baylor fell to 9-5 and 1-2.
The Kansas volleyball team defeated Baylor 3-0 Saturday night at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center, despite playing sluggishly at time.
Kansas volleyball coach Ray Bechard said he thought the Jayhawks lacked focus for much of the match.
"We were lucky to get out of here in three," he said. "If you can win 5-0 in this league without your best effort from a technical standpoint or an energy standpoint, you're pretty fortunate."
The Jayhawks were led by junior outside hitter Jana Correa. She had 13 kills and eight digs despite suffering an ankle injury. She rolled her ankle at the net after going up for a shot and coming down on it awkwardly.
After the match, Corraea said she was fine and would be ready to play against Texas Tech Wednesday night in Lubbock.
Junior libero Jaime Mathewson had her best match of the season. She had 19 digs, which led all players and tied her career high. Bechard said her energy was vital to the Jayhawks' victory.
In game one, Kansas and Baylor went back and forth. There were 11 ties in the frame, and the Jayhawks emerged with a 31-29 victory. Kansas hit just .190, but Baylor could not take advantage. The Bears posted a .159 attack percentage with 11 errors.
FOOTBALL
SEE STRUGGLES ON PAGE 8B
Kansan file photo
Senior quarterback Brian Luke looks to pass while senior offensive lineman Matt Thompson and sophomore Cesar Rodriguez, sophomore, block during the game against Appalachian State on Sept. 10.
Offensive line adjusts to departed veterans improves on last year
BY RYAN COLIAIANNi
rcoliaianni@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Kansas' offensive line has dealt with the loss of one of its key components each of the last two seasons.
After the 2004 season, it was center Joe Vaughn. The year before, it was offensive tackle Adrian Jones. Jones is now with the New York Jets of the NFL.
Vaughn was the Big 12 Conference newcomer of the year after the 2003 season. Despite the losses, this season's offensive line has been successful. Senior quarterback Brian Luke has had plenty of time to find his receivers, and the running backs have been able to find plenty of holes.
The line has helped running backs Clark Green and Jon Cornish average more than four yards per carry, this season, after struggling to open holes for a rushing attack that averaged just 2.7 yards per carry, last season.
"They did a good job producing the running game and the passing game," Green said after the season-opening victory when he ran for 107 yards. "Their defensive line did a lot
of twists. We did a good job of picking up on that."
In turn, the improved running game has opened up the passing attack. The offensive line has allowed just three sacks this season. Last season Kansas lost nearly all of its quarterbacks to injuries after they were sacked.
"It's not necessarily we're proud of one aspect, but you have to take a look at what you are doing right and not take a look at what you are doing wrong; you're not going to improve," Ochoa said. "There's always a game coming up that you have to improve for."
Much of the success up front has been due to Ochoa. He became the team's center in training camp after numerous players tried out for the job.
While the offensive line has performed well, Ochoa still thinks that the line can do more.
"There's always room to improve at offensive line, whether its running game or passing game," Ochoa said.
Ochoa hopes to continue that progress in the conference opener Saturday night at Texas Tech.
Edited by Jonathan Kealing
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