Sports

Cross country team fights for ranking

Glancing at intense athletes poised on the starting line, it might be surprising to learn the members on the men's cross country team describe themselves as having a lighthearted sense of humor. "The biggest thing for us right now is going out and beating people," sophomore Chris Powers said. "Anybody that's in front of us is taking something away from us." This weekend's fifth-place finish at the Notre Dame Invitational intensified the team's competitive drive.

Around the game

"The biggest thing for us right now is going out and beating people," sophomore Chris Powers said. "Anybody that's in front of us is taking something away from us." This weekend's fifth-place finish at the Notre Dame Invitational intensified the team's competitive drive. Defeating two top-25 teams and finishing 10 points behind No. 8 North Carolina State proved to the young team that no one can take its goals away. With four sophomores among the team's top five times, the team has excelled despite its inexperience.

'Cats running back earns trust

Damien Anderson is a simple man without much flash. He doesn't ask about his statistics or other personal accolades. He only asks one thing of his coaches and teammates, and that is patched on the plain black shirt that he wears underneath his letterman jacket. He wants them to "trust" him. Apparently Northwestern does. The Wildcats rode the coattails of their 5-foot-11, 202-pound junior running back as they shredded the Hoosiers Saturday 52-33 at Ryan Field. Anderson rushed for a career-high 292 yards on 36 carries and scored four touchdowns. Anderson didn't put much stock in his numbers. Instead, he was more interested that the Wildcats won.

Field will not be named

An informal reception after the men's soccer game Sunday at Bill Armstrong Stadium acknowledged soccer alumni and their private donations to the stadium's renovations, which cost more than $2.5 million. The athletic department had originally planned to dedicate the newly renovated soccer field to 28-year coach Jerry Yeagley, but a University committee policy rejected that idea.

Hoosiers dominate Wolverines in game

Coach Jerry Yeagley knew this day was coming. He knew, eventually, his men's soccer team would break out of its offensive funk, and he knew the day it happened would be an unpleasant one for IU's opponent. Sunday was the day. Michigan was the opponent.

1 goal of 22 attempts gets IU the win over Butler

INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler goalkeeper Jason Richarz was like a stubborn brick wall, denying nearly every scoring chance the men's soccer team had Friday night. He trapped, smacked and swatted away each ball that came near him -- until sophomore midfielder Pat Noonan scurried past defenders and tucked a goal past Richarz with five minutes left in the game.

Hoosiers fall at Northwestern, 52-33

EVANSTON, Ill. -- If there were any doubts about Northwestern's place atop the Big Ten standings, they were erased Saturday when the Wildcats played IU. And whatever doubts existed about IU's defense still linger after the Hoosier defense again allowed its opponent to score big.

Softball Olympian returns to IU

Signs of the 2000 Games still linger around Olympic softball player Michelle Venturella almost a week after the Sydney Games. As she watched an IU softball exhibition game against Indiana State Saturday, she wore a navy jacket with an embroidered American flag and the word "SOFTBALL" across the chest. On the softball diamond, junior Brooke Monroe wore a patriotic catcher's helmet that Venturella passed on to her.

Geyer quits basketball team

Senior forward Tom Geyer has left the IU men's basketball team. After making the decision Thursday night, he informed interim head coach Mike Davis of his decision Friday morning.

Hoosiers travel to Franklin for invitational

The women's golf team won't have to go far to compete in the Legends Invitational, which takes place an hour away in Franklin, Ind. With the recent golfer-unfriendly weather conditions, the Hoosiers might wish they were traveling further.

Women's soccer struggle in Big Ten games

Women's soccer coach Joe Kelley saw his team play its best this weekend. But the best they could do still ended with two losses. The Hoosiers dropped a pair of conference games at Bill Armstrong Stadium, 2-1 to Wisconsin Friday in double-overtime and 1-0 to Minnesota Sunday.

Disappointment, delight for cross county team

The men's and women's cross country teams traveled to Notre Dame Friday with an optimistic outlook. They left with mixed emotions. While the men placed fifth, beating two top-25 teams, the women fell short of their goals, finishing 12th in a field of 31 teams.

Freshman recruit pays off

Despite her youth, freshman Linda Tran could hardly be considered inexperienced when it comes to playing tennis. She picked up the game at the age of 9, and since then, nothing has stopped her, not even the transition to the college game. Three weeks ago, playing in her first college tournament, Tran won her singles flight at the Indiana Fall Invitational, and she said she hopes to continue her success.

Freshman standout has home course advantage in golf

Geyer quits basketball team

Senior forward Tom Geyer has left the IU men's basketball team. After making the decision Thursday night, he informed interim head coach Mike Davis of his decision Friday morning.

Cross country travels to Notre Dame Invite

Football team prepares for 1st conference road game against No. 22 Northwestern

Each week, there's a new buzz in the world of Big Ten football. Last week, it was the conference office admitting the referees missed some crucial calls in Michigan's victory against Illinois. Two weeks ago, the buzz was Penn State's unlikely1-4 start.

Linebacker looks for improvement after Iowa win

That IU football player who burst through Iowa's offensive line with ease last Saturday wasn't a safety. He might have displayed the explosive running ability of a safety, and he certainly had the size of one.

Unlikely Northwestern team in Big Ten lead

What's up with Northwestern? Don't the Wildcats know almost everyone except their mommas picked them to close the Big Ten barn door after all the thoroughbreds trounced over them?

Hoosiers travel to Butler, play Michigan

Jerry Yeagley knows nobody is invincible in collegiate soccer this season. The men's soccer coach has seen his Hoosiers struggle to beat less talented teams. He's also seen top notch teams lose games they shouldn't.