Homecoming gives TCU coach mixed emotions

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005 | 9:11 a.m.

at Peter Johann Memorial Field

Wednesday

Wyoming (8-6-3, 4-3) vs. New Mexico (6-6-4, 3-3-1), 11:30 a.m.

Utah (13-5-1, 6-0-1) vs. Air Force (4-15-1, 0-7), 2 p.m.

BYU (15-1-3, 4-1-2) vs. San Diego State (10-8-2, 2-3-2), 4:30 p.m.

UNLV (10-6-3, 5-2) vs. Texas Christian (6-10, 1-6), 7 p.m.

Thursday

Semifinal, 4:30 p.m.

Semifinal, 7 p.m.

Saturday

Final, noon

1. SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES

The plane carrying the Texas Christian women's soccer team is scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas late this morning, and Horned Frogs coach Dan Abdalla has planned a buffet lunch at the Rio for his squad.

Don't look for the TCU players to gorge themselves, though. Their speed, especially up front, is of utmost concern to first-year UNLV coach Katherine Mertz as the two teams prepare to play each other Wednesday in the Mountain West Conference tournament at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

"It's pretty crazy how life happens," Abdalla said about opening against his old school. "I'm excited because we get another shot at them. But I know it will be tough because one team that I've been hugely involved in will be going home."

Abdalla discounted Mertz's worry about TCU's superior speed up front, saying Mertz might be "playing a little coy."

"I'm more concerned with their size and strength in the air," he said, "than they should be concerned with our speed."

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2. LAS VEGAS LUCK

BYU has enjoyed success in the last two MWC tournaments held in Las Vegas. In 2001, the Cougars beat UNLV 2-1 for the title. In 2000, BYU thrashed Utah 6-1 in the finale.

The Cougars, at No. 15, are the lone Mountain West team in the national top-25 rankings. Jaime Beck leads the league with five game-winning goals this season, and sophomore keeper Erika Woodbury has allowed only six goals in 19 games.

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3. ON A ROLL

Utah has claimed the last two tourney crowns, and it hasn't lost since a 1-0 defeat at No. 9 Pepperdine on Sept. 30 eight games ago.

In addition, the Utes feature midfielder Kiley Jones, and forwards Hailey Marsh and Amanda Feigt, all of whom were standouts in the Mountain West playoffs a year ago.

Marsh helped Kent Denver High win a Colorado state prep title in 2000. Her left boot hammered home the first goal in the title game against San Diego State last year, and the Utes prevailed in a shootout.

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4. HELP!

Texas Christian junior Katy Buchanan should put in for overtime. A flimsy-at-times back line has resulted in Buchanan making a league-high 83 saves this season. And 27 other shots have sailed by her into the back of the net.

That's 110 shots in 16 games. Buchanan likely dives for saves in her sleep.

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5. PARTRIDGE SOARS

Mertz was buoyed by 5-10 freshman Haley Partridge's first collegiate goal Saturday in a 3-0 victory over San Diego State. True to her surname, she did it in the air off a header.

No wonder that aspect of UNLV's attack worries Abdalla -- Partridge scored 131 goals in an illustrious career at Springfield (Ill.) High.

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Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or miech@lasvegassun.com