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WWW.KANSAN.COM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
PAGE 12A
SOCCER
Third game's the charm
Rylan Howe/KANSAN
Senior forward Kimberly Karfonta takes a shot during the first half against Missouri State defender Megan Beebe and goalie Jackie Jasper. The Jayhawks had 12 shots on goal and put two in the net to shut out Missouri State for their first win yesterday at Jayhawk Soccer Complex.
After falling short in its first two matches, Kansas soccer finally gets a win
BY ALISNA BAUER
abauer@kansan.com
KANSAN SPORTWRITER
The pressure of sealing a first victory broke last night, as Kansas shut out Missouri State 2-0 at the Ivahawk Soccer Complex.
In a game that Kansas soccer coach Mark Francis said was not played worth a dime, his girls took the lead in the 15th minute and never looked back.
"I think the biggest thing today is that we won the game," Francis said. "It wasn't pretty. In fact, it was pretty ugly at times."
Taking advantage of Missouri State freshman goalkeeper Jackie Jasper, Kansas freshman forward Jessica Bush picked up a fumbled ball and sent it to the back of the net. The 15-yard, unassisted goal was the first of the game and of Bush's collegiate career.
"It was really exciting. Michelle played a really good ball to me," Bush said in reference to junior midfielder Michelle Rasmussen. "The goalie made a mistake. It was good for our team because we really haven't been finishing as well."
That goal was one of six first half shots on goal, five of which belonged to Kansas. The Jayhawks went on to triple the Bears' shots 18-6 and quadrupled their shots on goal for the game 12-3.
Although Missouri State, tailing only one shot on goal in the first half, did not seem to be putting up much of a fight, Francis was upset that his team was playing without emotion and
"I think the biggest thing today is that we won the game. It wasn't pretty. In fact, it was pretty ugly at times."
Mark Francis Kansas soccer coach
looking flat. So much so that he admitted to ripping into the girls at halftime to get them into the game.
There was power in his words,
evidently, and Kansas worked through it.
Francis mentioned that even senior forward Caroline Smith wasn't entirely on her game in the first half. She promptly got "on" her game in the second half and put the Jayhawks up 2-0 in the 84th minute of the game.
Smith's unassisted 20-yard shot meant she had scored in all three games this season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Colleen Quinn recorded her first shutout last night against the Bears, boosting confidence in herself, her coach and her teammates.
SEE CHARM ON PAGE 8A
SEVENTH-INNING STRECH
ALISSA BAUER
abauer@kansan.com
Athletes deserve positive coverage
Kansas athletics is taking a beating in the whole being nice area.
Insults directed at our most prominent sports figures pour in with each and every breaking news story.
Even at the Kansan sports desk, reports come out declaring "enough is enough."
There is validity to that complaint. Being constantly updated on every juvenile activity our athletes are up to does tend to get old, and not to mention, impossible.
Let's not forget that this is a college campus, and trying to find any student — athlete or not — that has kept a squeaky clean record would be a challenge.
But one of the many factors that makes life as a collegiate athlete ohso glamorous is those famous faces they quickly develop, followed by a level of class and reputation that is passed on for them to uphold.
I'm here to say they are upholding it.
Two weeks ago, I had finished up my interviews after the Drake game and headed for the exit at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex. It was nearly impossible to get out because rows of tables were full of tired and sweaty soccer girls busily signing autographs for a line of fans.
I felt slightly disgusted with myself for letting the words "hot," "tired" and "T" even mingle around in my head together. These girls just finished running a close equivalent to a 90-minute sprint. They barely knocked off Drake and now planned on signing autographs until each fan was happy.
SEE BAUER ON PAGE 8A
FOOTBALL
Jermial Ashley, then junior defensive end, and Nick Reid, then junior linebacker, stop Kenny Higgins, then Toledo senior wide receiver, in midair during a game last season. The Jayhawk defense is expected to be a major factor for Kansas this season.
Kansan file photo
Friendship improves play
Linebackers' closeness builds team chemistry
BY RYAN COLAIANNI
rcolaianni@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
Senior linebackers Nick Reid, Kevin Kane and Banks Floodman share a bond that comes from more than football. Beyond sitting through the same meetings and running the same drills every day in practice, they manage to spend time together off the field.
They are three of the mosttalented linebackers in the Big 12 Conference. Between them they have more than 595 career tackles and intimidate offensive players each week. And through their play on the field, they have become great friends.
"We are all great friends, we hang out, we finish each other's sentences," Reid said. "We know what the other one is going to do."
Reid and Kane are roommates, so their time together is virtually endless. Reid said that Kane did some unusual things for a football player.
"He doesn't really wash his hair too much," Reid said. "He says his hair gets poofy. That's kind of weird — he doesn't like his hair poofy. Other than that, he's a pretty straight-forward, laid-back guy."
Whether it's going to movies
or going out, the three usually are together.
They think that their friendship has helped them become better football players.
"It makes it that much better to be out there playing with people that you are such good friends with," Floodman said. "It helps build chemistry not only on the defense but on the whole team, especially when you are the leaders."
Reid said that the friendship helped him know exactly what either Kane or Floodman were going to do on the field.
campaign, he could move up to second on the all-time Kansas tackle mark.
The three have put their mark on Kansas defense. Reid was named to the All-Big 12 first team after last season. Reid had more than 100 tackles in each of the previous two seasons, and with another 100-tackle
Floodman had 47 tackles last season and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection two seasons ago. Kane was also an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection last season.
The three will walk together onto the field at Memorial Stadium Saturday for the beginning of their final season together. Floodman said it felt a little weird, knowing that he's near the end of his career.
"I am pumped up, just ready for the opener. I think it adds a little bit when you are a senior, your final opener. It's exciting," Floodman said.
Missouri aims for bowl game invitation
BIG 12 FOOTBALL
—Edited by Becca Evanhoe
BY DANIEL BERK
dberk@kansan.com
KANSAN SENIOR SPORTWRITER
Editor's Note: This is the last of 11 articles previewing Kansas' competition in the Big 12 Conference.
In 2002, the senior quarterback became only the second quarterback in Division 1-A history to throw for more than 2,000 yards and run for more than 1,000 yards
Two years ago, life was good for Missouri's Brad Smith.
Smith then finished the 2003 season and rushed for more than 1,000 yards, led his team to a bowl game for the first time in five years and was being talked about as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate for the 2004 season.
in the same season.
Then, in the 2004 season, nothing would go right for Smith or his team. Missouri was picked by several media outlets to win the Big 12 North and play in a major bowl game. Instead, the Tigers faltered to a 5-6 record and missed out on a bowl game.
This season, with a new offense installed, Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel said he expected Smith to have a big season and lead the Tigers back to a bowl game.
"Brad, as he has matured, he wants to work on his throwing, work on his footwork, work on all kinds of things to make himself a better player, as he has done this year." Pinkel said. "We want him to be a complete player, and he has worked very hard, and I expect him to have a very good year."
Smith will have talent around him, as senior wide receiver Sean Coffey returns for another season. Coffey caught 39 passes for 648 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
Sophomore running backs Marcus Woods and Tony Temple will join Smith in the backfield.
Even though Pinkel has yet to name a starter, lie said he expected both players to have big 2005 seasons.
SEE INVITATION ON PAGE 8A
Kansan file photo
Clark Green, then junior running back, almost collides with teammate Travis Dambach, then sophomore offensive lineman, while being taken down by Missouri's James Kinney during the game in Columbia, Mo., last season.
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