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Show r /port/ B8 r ;: " . *.••« • .:tf-*(v:*v* MONDAY • OCTOBER 9 • 2006 \^Mi? >SS! Courtesy photo/0rioles.com Miguel Tejada was once again accused of using steroids. Steroid allegations From CLEMENS-B7 Steroid use in baseball has been one of the biggest problems in sports. The baseball steroid policy was so weak and such a joke that anybody could have and did get away with using. Baseball is America's pastime, and if the problems aren't resolved, that is where it will stay. People wilt-only care-about baseball's past because they will think people are cheating in th€L.present. The possibility that Clemens used performance enhancing-drugs is enough to drive fans away forever. Imagine if it is discovered to be the truth. Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young award winner, possibly started his final game of his ,career last month. But with these allegations, he could be in the news for more than just his retirement. It's good to see that baseball is trying to clean up its act. Having so many players get away with cheating is disgusting. Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell is heading the Investigation on steroids, but we don't know- much of k problem he has discovered yet.; We know some people have used, we strongly suspect others and we want; to see it put to an end. Baseball banned HGH, but they have no test for it. Of course there is a problem. There is no doubt that steroids are used in other sports. Look at what happened with the Carolina Panthers. But the difference is that the NFL has such a stern testing policy that people say the NFL is doing whatever it can to avoid the problems of baseball. Baseball has finally stepped it up and is doing something. But if Clemens was a user, that will destroy the credibility of the game. Even MLB knows that these allegations will do a lot of damage if they are true. But they don't believe it or want it to be true. MLB spokesman Richard Levin questioned the accuracy of the affidavit and the way the information obtained. Even friends close to Grimsley say that he claims he was attributed to statements that he did not make. The Times said that a source with access to the document let them see it, but kept it, and that a second source provided additional details. If the case is true and Clemens, Pettit, Tejada and others used performanceenhancing drugs,;then baseball was and is in worse shape then we ail imagined. Hopefully it is, false, and fans can forget about ste• • rbids in baseball, and just enjoy "the postseason. Baseball.- was in bad shape not too long ago, but it seems' to-be digging out. But with these allegations, however, it could fall back into the hole. Whintney Woodward/NetXNews Chris Klein and Joson Kries have been a huge parr of leading RSL to playoff contention in 2006. Real Salt Lake still in the race Ben Webster games. It's pretty positive around here," Eliinger said. When it comes to the Real has been chasing end of the season, the Chivas and Colorado for playoff picture can be the last two months, but more than a little confus- hasn't been able to get ing. But Real Salt Lake over the hump. "We win is happy about one thing two games I have to beright now-they are still in lieve we are going to get the hunt. in," Coach Eliinger said. The Major League "It's still not a guarantee Soccer playoffs kick off but I think we will make Oct. 21, and RSL desper- it." ately wants to be a part of A big reason that RSL it. hasn't clinched already is v-;t-VWe know what's at a slow start all the way stake, but we have been in back in April. RSL started playoff mode the last two the season on a six-game months. I think everybody winless streak but gained thinks we are still going confidence and momento make it," RSL Coach tum when .the frequency John Eliinger said. of games picfce<jiip during Before Saturday's fi- July. After me ""six-game nal regular season, home winless streak, to start the match against the Hous- year Real is 10-8-6. ton Dynamo Real was on "Obviously our start the outside looking in. was difficult times. I think RSL was two points be- everybody stayed .calm hind Colorado and five and relaxed. We, didn't points behind Chivas change anything; weJust USA. The team was opti- kept doing what we do," mistic, though. Eliinger said. "Everyone believes According to Coach we will win the last two Eliinger, the team has Sports Editor Wolverines fall to Big Sky visitors Jason Adkins Sports Writer Preseason preparations From SOFTBALL- B7 nament started for UVSC, they took on BYU at home, but lost a close contest on two solo home runs hit by the Cougars. The first three games of the season saw UVSC take on in-state rivals Weber State. The Wolverine took a close one in Ogden 4-2, but wer^ablo tC) crush the Wildcats;^, hoiiie in a doubleheader'by the scores of 8-1 and 11-2. UVSC finishes up the fall season on Oct. 13 and 14, with a pair of doubleheaders scheduled. On Friday, the Wolverines take on Utah State and Idaho State at home. While on Saturday, UVSC takes on Dixie State at Jionieand then.hops on;.'the-.bus for a short'ride s a i d i »•-' • ••'•• • :' " V d rsity Parkway The day before the tour-the Cougars.over the fence for home runs against CSL The Wolverine win over SLCC came, despite only getting four hits on the afternoon. The fall season does not count in the standings, but is important in sorting out who will get the playing time in the spring. The time is also used to determine what a team's strengths or weaknesses are. Fairbourne said that his strengths are his pitching, but also wants to have six or seven bats in the lineup that are capable of hitting the bail out. "We are trying to see what we have and prepare for the spVingri^irbourne;;; really come together because of the leadership of some of the veterans. Due to some slip-ups during the season, the last two games are must-wins. But even with two wins, RSL could still be left out without some help. In addition to winning the last two, RSL has to hope to see Colorado lose at least one of there last two to get that coveted playoff berth. "There haven't been . many games this year' where we' ve played a good 90 minutes, but I hope we have some left in us, because we will certainly need it when we play Chivas in the final game," Ellinger said. "I think we have missed some points. But I think we got some that we otherwise wouldn't have, and it is time to play our best." Even if the club fails to make the postseason, RSL has made significant strides this year. They have a stadium deal and In two recent matches against Big Sky Conference opponents, the women's soccer team fell by a one-goal margin in consecutive games. In the first game, the Wolverines went down to Eastern Washington 1-0 in overtime, and they were unable to rebound two days later against Idaho State in a 2-1 loss. UVSC was unable to overcome their struggles in finishing off offensive play, and were stymied in attempts to get good shots at net. "The technique isn't there, and that is something we have to continually work on," Wolverine Head Coach Brent Anderson said. Overtime was back and forth, and the Wolverines tried to make something happen eight minutes into the extra session with an attempted cross that was taken by the keeper. Eastern Washington quickly counterattacked, and the ball was in the middle of a mess of players in front of the Wolverine goal. Shelley Ikard was able to get a good enough ball from one of her teammates to squirt it past the UVSC junior keeper Tasha Bell for the winning score. Many opportunities came for both sides, with UVSC having a great chance with a several minutes to go in the first half, when sophomore Mallory Schott and then freshman Athena Bradshaw had shots that were only stopped by the diving Eastern Washington keeper. Eastern Washington had their big opportunity come with under a minute to go in the first half, but the- shot from forward Kim Crosbie went sailing over the crossbar. Coach Anderson made an interesting change for UVSC at the half as junior goalkeeper Bell-was substituted on for the senior Kelley Thompson, for tactical reasons. "I just wanted to put Tasha in there. At times, Tasha could be a little bit more decisive. There was a little bit of indecision in the first half between Jo (Alyssa Woodbury) and Kelly," Anderson said. Not many scoring opportunities came from either team in the second half. Both teams had five shots each, but co-captain Courtney Robbins took on two defenders to get the shot off. Unfortunately, the defensive pressure led to an easy save by the keeper. UVSC out shot Eastern Washington 19-13, but .the advantage did not make a difference, as neither team was able to See WOMEN'S SOCCER. B9 an agreement with the world's most famous club, Real Madrid. \ Attendance is down since the inaugural season, but seaspn ticket holders ^ from 5 ^ ; crowd of 40,000 attend-': ed a double header with world-cup qualifier being one of the games that helped boost the first season's attendance number. Real executives- hope to sell out every game when the new stadium opens up in 2008. A playoff spot would mean RSL would get another game at RiceEccles, because the first round of the playoffs is two games, one at home and one on the road. The likely opponent for Real would be EC. Dallas. . After a summer where the team's long-term future was in question, things are looking much better for RSL. But they will be better witliaplayoff match to look forward to. Men's soccer From SOCCER. B7 also from small donations from a couple of businesses. It would be welcomed to form a better relationship between our team and the university," Coach Jazexhiu said. "It is difficult and stressful to know that going into the season there might not be any funding from the school. This is hard on our team morale, knowing that we might miss out on some tournaments because of funding." Jazexhiu also said that his team should work together with the student government and some interested groups to get more financial support. You can support the Wolverine men's soccer team when they return home for theirfinalhome game of the season on Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. against the Utah State Aggies. Visit the team's; website for more details at www. utahvalleysoccer.com. |