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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1995)
The Battalion Wednesday October 18, 1995 SPORTS Nebraska's Phillips may return to practice this week LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Suspended running back Lawrence Phillips could return to practice with Nebraska as early as this week, coach Tom Os borne said today. Phillips won't play for the next two weeks for the second-ranked Huskers, Osborne said. That means he would miss games Saturday against No. 8 Kansas State and Oct. 28 at No. 9 Colorado. Osborne said when Phillips returns to practice depends on what school officials decide about whether Phillips will face university disciplinary action for an assault on his former girlfriend. Valentine fired from japanese team TOKYO (AP) — Leading the Chiba Lotte Marines to their best finish in 10 years couldn't save Bobby Valentine's job as manager. Valentine, who managed the Texas Rangers from 1985-92 and was the winningest manager in the team's his tory with 581, led the Marines to a 69- 58 record this season, second in the Pacific League. Dingwall, Pate still alive in tournament Nancy Dingwall and Wilson Pate defeated Michigan's Sarah Cy- ganyak and Sora Moon to stay alive in the All-American tournament in California. The pair defeated the Wolverines 6-3, 0-6, 6-3, and will play two matches today. If they are victorious in both matches, they will move on to the main draw. In individual play, Dingwall was defeated by Syracuse's Nicole Str- nadova 2-1. Also competing in the doubles competition were Vanessa Rook and Lonna Logan, who lost to Allison Co hen and Jennifer Fires of Virginia 3-1. Freshman has opponents all Shook up Freshman forward Nicole Shook tries to work by a New Mexico defender from last weekend's action at the Aggie Soccer Complex. □ The freshman forward from Wichita Falls has recorded four goals and six assists in 1995. By Philip Leone The Battalion When Texas A&M Head Soccer Coach G. Guerrieri goes out recruiting, he looks for players with superior skills both on and off the field. He hit the bull’s eye with freshman forward Nicole Shook. This dynamo out of Rider High School in Wichita Falls has proven herself more than capable of handling the demands of Division I soccer. She has used her explo sive speed to help make a name for herself as a key weapon in the A&M offen sive arsenal. But according to Guer rieri, speed is not the only quality that makes Shook a top performer. “The things that stick out when you see Nicole play are her incredible speed and her heart,” Guerrieri said. “She goes 100 percent all the time and never gives up for anything. “Those are two qualities that there’s no substituting for.” Excellence in the game she loves is nothing new for Shook. She was standout ever since she began her soccer career at the age of four. The Shook family would sometimes drive over three, hours to give Nicole the opportunity to compete in the highly-com- petitive North Dallas soccer club leagues. Shook also gained valuable seasoning by participating on regional Olympic De velopment squads during three of her high school summers. Shook was simply a dominating force at the high school level — racking up 94 goals and 39 assists, and two district of fensive most valuable player awards in three years of play. If that was not enough. Shook showed her versatility by lettering in cross coun try for three years and advancing to the Class 5A state meet in 1991 With good grades to go along with her athletic prowess. Shook received a num ber of calls from quality schools but chose A&M for a number of reasons. “I just had a real good time on my re cruiting visit, and I thought the campus was beautiful,” Shook said. “That com bined with the kind of leadership I felt ‘Coach G’ would provide really pushed me in the direction of A&M.It just offered everything I was looking for.” Shook was excited about the chance to play major college soccer and arrived in College Station with a load of confidence and little fear of being overwhelmed by the competition. She has done nothing thus far in ‘95 to shake that self-esteem. In her first 15 matches as an Ag gie, Shook has regis tered four goals and 6 assists as a spot starter and primary substitute at for ward. Guerrieri feels that Shook’s performance this season has been nothing short of impressive. “Teams are forced to adjust to her speed and how dangerous she is out there,” said Guerrieri. “And all of her goals have been quality goals for us. She’s really come along way.” Though pleased with the amount of playing time she has received, Shook feels that she needs to step up her play and get more of a tactical grasp on the A&M offensive strategy. “I know I need to work on my first touch on the ball and be able to better recognize offensive opportunities when they arise,” Shook said. “I also need to get myself to the point where I’m totally comfortable with what we’re trying to do all over the field. “Maybe that will come with experience; I’m sure that has something to do with it.” "Teams are forced to adjust to her speed and how dangerous she is out there." — G. Guerrieri A&M Soccer Coach Aggie offense takes tough test in Baylor ‘D □ The Bears' defensive unit is giving up only 97 yards per [game rushing. By Nick Georgandis The Battalion ; Even after Saturday's come-from-behind : victory over Southern Methodist Universi ty, the talk around the Texas A&M Foot- : ball team is — what’s wrong with the of- ; fense? Head Coach R.C. Slocum knows what ; the problem is — unfortunately so does the I Baylor Bear defense, which is ranked third : in the nation. “We have not been effective in taking pressure off the running game with the passing game,” Slocum said. “Between the receivers and the quarterback, we have not been as consistent as we need to be. If we had, I really believe we’d be undefeated right now.” Against the Mustangs, the Aggies gained 147 yards through the air, but 55 of those yards came on the final drive of the game. Senior wide receiver Chris Sanders said the team seems extremely anxious to get hack on the field and prove itself. “Yesterday (at practice), I was like YVhat the hell is going on?’” Sanders said. “People were jumping around and running over and hitting the practice squad really hard.” The offense should get a shot in the arm with adrenaline-booster Leeland McElroy’s ; return from an ankle injury he suffered ' against Texas Tech two weeks ago. Although he did not practice Monday, j McElroy said he expects to be on the field i Saturday. “It was very tough to be out in a game j situation (against SMU,)” McElroy said, I “I’m not totally 100 percent, but if I have ; to play with a little pain, that’s what I’ll have to do.” McElroy said he realizes the enormity of i Saturday’s game because the Bears are one of the teams ahead of A&M in the South- I west Conference race. “We're in a do-or-die situation every j See Football, Page 81 Sterling Hayman, The Battalion Texas A&M senior linebackers Larry Walker (#32) and Reggie Brown (#46) gang tackle SMU running back Andre Womack. e» ,«***** 5^7 A **s£ ,y * i*V:: •tw |S> -v>. Power Tools. W<? offer a variety of checking accounts to fit your specific needs, in addition to student loans, multiple ATM locations and The American Card, with your choice of Visa® or Mastercard . Plus, with a checkbook and ATM card from First American Bank, you’ll have the power to handle just about anything. 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