Southeast soccer among nation's best

Southeast soccer among nation's best

The weekly NCAA Division I soccer rankings are out, and the Southeast Missouri State Otahkians rank high in several different categories.

Senior goalkeeper Beth Guccione is one of 11 goalkeepers in the country ranked No. 1 in goals-against average (0.00). Of those 11, Guccione has played in more games (6) than any of them.

Sophomore Erika Todd ranks 13th in the country in assists per game (.83) and her four assists against Jacksonville State earlier this season is tied for first place for assists in a game.

As a team, Southeast is one of only three schools that have not allow a goal this season. The other two schools are Princeton and National soccer powerhouse North Carolina.

Southeast is also tied for No. 1 in winning percentage (1.000) with Ball State, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, Princeton, St. Mary's (Calif.), Stanford and UCLA.

Southeast has yet to garner any votes in a regional or national soccer poll yet this season.

Playoff tickets go on sale Monday

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals are still fighting for a postseason berth, but the first batch of playoff tickets goes on sale Monday.

The Cardinals announced Wednesday that tickets to the Division Series will go on sale at 8 a.m. Monday. Only tickets for the first two home games of the best-of-five series will be sold. If a third home game is necessary, another announcement will be made later.

Tickets will be available at Busch Stadium or by calling 314-421-2400. They can also be purchased on the Web at www.stlcardinals.com.

The Cardinals are allowing fans to start lining up at Busch Stadium two hours after their Sunday afternoon game against Pittsburgh.

Rams urge fans to arrive early

ST. LOUIS -- Fans were encouraged to enter the Dome at America's Center early for the St. Louis Rams' home opener Sunday, or risk missing the start of the game.

Among the security measures instituted by all NFL teams in the wake of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, bags will be hand-checked at gates. No bags larger than a purse or fanny pack will be allowed.

Electronic and telecommunications measures have been implemented to enhance the facility's existing security program. Trained dogs will be used during the inspection of the facility before the building opens.

The Rams will be playing their first regular-season home game since Dec. 10, 2000. The home opener had been scheduled for Sept. 17 against the Atlanta Falcons, but that game was rescheduled for Jan. 6.

Redskins cut George

ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins, 0-2 and without a touchdown, cut quarterback Jeff George Wednesday.

Handcuffed in an offense that didn't suit him, George failed to lead the offense to a single point in 6 1/2 quarters of play. The Redskins (0-2) have been outscored 67-3, with the field goal coming with backup Tony Banks on the field in the opener against San Diego.

George's 34.6 quarterback rating ranks last in the NFL. In two games, he completed 23 of 42 passes for 168 yards and three interceptions. He was also sacked six times.

On Monday, Schottenheimer gave an indication of what was to come when he said he was considering starting Banks in Sunday's home opener against Kansas City.

Blues fall in exhibition

ST. LOUIS -- Jon Klemm and Alexei Zhamnov each had a goal and an assist in the first period in the Chicago Blackhawks' 3-1 exhibition victory over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.

Jocelyn Thibeault made 26 saves, and Eric Daze added an unassisted goal in the first period for Chicago (3-3). Chris Pronger scored for St. Louis (1-2).

The Blackhawks scored on two of their first five shots against Fred Brathwaite, making his first start of the preseason following a groin injury.

-- From staff, wire reports