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Show SPORTS Friday, February 9,2007 Page 6 WOMEN'S HOOPS COMING UP Baseball Softball Tournament Gymnastics Skiing Utah (0-3) @> New Mexico St. (1-2) Utah @ Kajikawa Classic Utah (6-0) @ Utah State (5-5) Utah© New Mexico Invitational Fea. 9.2007 Feb. 9.2007 Ip.m HM. feb.9.2007 S30p.m. The Real deal Tony Pizza Chronicle Asst. Sports Editor Thursday afternoon, Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts looked like he had just finished a roller coaster ride—a weeklong roller coaster ride. Since August, Checketts has seen his plans for a new soccer stadium hi Sandy City flat-line more times than in a season of "ER," but Thursday afternoon Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman resuscitated those plans in a press conference at the State Capitol It came on the heels of 1SHB38 being passed by the Utah House of Representatives by a 48-24 margin Thursday after being passed in the Senate with a vote of 20-8. Huntsman proudly declared, "Soccer is here to stay." But things did not look so good for professional soccer in Utah a week ago. After Salt Lake County mayor Peter Caroon announced that revenue generated from a hotel tax would no longer go toward the $110 million stadium project, Major League Soccer looked to be dead in the Beehive State. As hard as it was for Checketts to start shopping his team to cit- ies such as Philadelphia and St. Louis—where Checketts already has ownership with the St. Louis Blues—he was obligated to start looking elsewhere. That is when Huntsman and other politicians embarked on a last-ditch effort to keep soccer in Salt Lake City. "We were given a firm deadline by Dave Checketts, and I think we've met that deadline," Huntsman said. 1SHB38 effectively sets aside $15 million in tourist taxes toward a new soccer stadium and flags another $20 million in hotel taxes for a parking structure that will not only serve as parking for the stadium, but also the nearby Sandy Expo Center. The news of the passed bill had an immediate impact on the RSL owner. "This really is a dream come true," Checketts said as he began to quote Thomas Paine. "(Paine) said, 'That which we attain too cheaply, we esteem to lightly/ Well, this has come at great, great cost." That cost, Checketts assured, will not belong to the public. Checketts remains positive that the stadium will be a source of economic sur- Feb. 9.2007 All Day 7p.m. * Red River. H.W. n. Utah @ Tempe. Ari;. Legislature approves funds to build soccer stadium for RSL plus, and Huntsman echoed that sentiment by stating the diversion of taxes is an "enhanced economic development." "With a very solid foundation to move forward, Major League Soccer can now truly become a great unifier, bringing together our diverse cultures, and across multiple generations," Huntsman said. Checketts credited Huntsman for rebuilding his faith in keeping the franchise in his hometown, which is something the RSL owner didn't think was possible once Caroon told him Salt Lake County funds were no longer an option. "The process and the rejection, frankly, drained me," Checketts said. "It was clear at that time that it was time to move on. Tuesday morning, I received a call from Gov. Huntsman, without whom we would not be here today." With the state funds and the tremendous backing of the state government, professional soccer certainly seems here to stay, The stadium, which will soon begin building near the southwest corner of 9400 South and State Street, will also serve as a concert venue once construction is complete. The grand opening of the sta- KIM PETERSONV The Daily Utah Chronicle Real Salt Lake's Jason Kreis thanks the Legislature for funding a new RSL stadium as owner Dave Checketts, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson and Gov. Jon Huntsman listen during a press conference at the Capitol building Thursday. dium, which was initially scheduled to open on July 4, 2008, will likely have to be pushed back due to the problems, RSL has had in securing the necessary funding. When the stadium does open, it won't just be a place where fans can go watch MLS soccer, it will be place where kids can learn to play the game as well. Included in stadium plans is a multi-field complex where children can go to RSL-led soccer camps and learn the game of soccer. t.pizza@ chronicle.utah.edu Balancing act Thrice bitten Marsden tries alternative method to cure Red Rocks' balance beam problems Women's hoops drops third straight conference game Tony Pizza Chronicle Asst. Sports Editor On paper, Friday night's meet between Utah State and Utah doesn't exactly scream excitement. The Red Rocks haven't lost to the Aggies since the United States boycotted the XXII Summer Olympics in 1980 and Jimmy Carter was president. Though Greg Marsden has repeatedly explained that no opponent can be taken "lightly," the fact remains that the Aggies are, without question, the least imposing opponent on the Red Rocks' 2007 schedule. This, however, doesn't mean the Utah State meet is any less important to the Utes. Major questions still loom for the team, especially on beam, and head coach Greg Marsden has devised an interesting approach to solving them. In practice Monday, Marsden announced to his gymnasts that they would be competing for spots in the beam lineup against the Aggies. Any significant stammers or falls disqualified a gymnast from the lineup, and when the remaining gymnasts were finally whittled down to six, Marsden had his lineup. In the end, no big changes to the lineup were made, except for the fact that Jamie Deetscreek will be making her first collegiate start in place of Kristina Baskett. "It's just a coach's way of trying to send a message, and we'll see how people do," Marsden said. "I haven't lost confidence in Kristina...but she took herself out." Marsden stressed that Baskett's absence from the beam lineup does not reflect her inconsistency on the event, but that she fell, while Deetscreek performed her beam audition solidly. "I'm really excited," Deetscreek said. "It was really fulfilling to hit routines when we all had to, to get in the lineup." Other small changes in the lineup could include another beam and floor appearance by freshman Daria Bijak. Although the German National Champion would only do these routines in exhibition, this is evidence that one of Utah's most exciting recruits is getting closer to lending a big hand to her team. One gymnast who hopes to start making the impact that she did last year is Ashley Postell. Although Postell hasn't quite figured out exactly Red Rock See RED Page 8 Natalie Dicou •starting lineup: VAULT Sarah Shire Nina Kirn Nicolle Ford Annie DiLuzio Kristina Baskett Ashley Postell Alt. Jessica Duke BARS Nina Kim Daria Bijak Jessica Duke Nicolle Ford Kristina Baskett Ashley Postell Alt. Sarah Shire BEAM Jamie Deetscreek Nina Kim Annie DiLuzio Sarah Shire Nicolle Ford Ashley Postell Alt. Daria Bijak FLOOR Jessica Duke Beth Rizzo Nicolle Ford Annie DiLuzio Kristina Baskett Ashley Postell Alt. Daria Bijak 'subject to change PLAYER OF THE GAME The Doily Utah Chronicle •••>?••"*- Whether the ball clanked off the rim, clattered around the iron before bouncing astray or swirled around and popped out—the New Mexico Lobos had serious trouble getting the ball through the hoop in the first half. The game had all the makings of a blowout of the visiting Lobos, but ended in a Utah loss that shocked fans at the Huntsman Center Thursday night. After 13 minutes of play, the Utes were up 22-6. The Lobos shot just 18 percent from the field in the first half on 5~of-27 from the field. But Utah committed 12 first-half turnovers and couldn't pull down a single offensive rebound through the first 20 minutes. The Utes headed into the break up 28-17, leaving the door cracked just a tad too wide.The Lobos methodically inched their way back throughout the second half. Instead of scoring in quick spurts, the Lobos chipped away at the deficit. One point here, two points there. With 4:01 to go, the Lobos seized the lead for the first time of the night, and went on to win 73-65. "Just because we had a lead, the game wasn't going to go away," said Marie Warner, who led all Utes with 23 points and three assists. "They were going to play hard the whole game and that's what we needed to do as well, and we didn't get that done in the second half." New Mexico's Katie Montgomery carried the Lobos on her back as she scored 29 points on io-of-19 shooting, and she knocked down four from beyond the three-point arc. It also didn't hurt that the best free-throw shooter in the nation, Julie Briody was on target tonight as well, hitting all 12 of her attempts from the stripe. "We got a little comfortable," Warner said. "We weren't playing with a lot of confidence...we just needed to play a little tougher." The game marked the Utes' third straight conference loss. After starting the Mountain West Conference schedule a perfect 7-0, the Utes have fallen on hard times and will have to rally if they want even a sniff at the MWC title. They'll also need some luck—teams ahead of them will have to lose to give Utah a chance. Morgan Warburton, a key component of Utah's offense, had a so-so night. She scored 17 points but shot just 5-of-i5 from the field. "We lost communication," U head Katie Montgomery The Lobo senior shot 10-for-19 from the field and scored V. of her 29 points in the second half to lead the Lobos over the Utes. coach Elaine Elliott said. "We're not disciplined defensively and it's catching up to us." But that wasn't the Utes' only problem Thursday night. "You are not going to beat anybody good in this league if you have low turnovers in one half or you only defend in one half or you only shoot well half the time," Elliott said, speaking of the polarity of the two halves. LISA TI£ RAN/ The Doily Utah Chronicle Marie Warner puts two Qf her career-high 23 points through the net Thursday night against New Mexico. Despite Warner's performance and the Utes taking 28-17 lead at the half, the Utes fell behind late In the game to lose 73-65. |
