UMaine softball star joins basketball squad

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The University of Maine women’s basketball team began its preseason practices with only 10 healthy players on the 11-woman roster.

In hopes of building some depth on the squad, first-year coach Sharon Versyp has announced the addition of Black Bears softball star Erica Sobel to the roster for the 2000-01 season. She was expected to make her debut in Monday night’s exhibition game against the National Women’s Basketball League USA Elite team at Alfond Arena in Orono.

Sobel, who will wear No. 31, has been, in essence, borrowed from coach Deb Smith’s UMaine’s softball team. The 5-foot-7 junior shortstop from Worcester, Mass., already has earned All-America East first-team recognition twice.

The three-time basketball team MVP at Worcester Academy will have sophomore eligibility for basketball, where she is expected to play a guard spot.

“She’s a hard-nosed, hard-working athlete who loves basketball and thinks it’s a great opportunity to be part of a basketball team again,” said Versyp, who has been impressed with Sobel’s instincts and passing ability.

Sobel will practice and play with the basketball team through the end of the season, but will rejoin the UMaine softball team once its season begins. The only conflict at present is Feb. 22-25.

“All this is possible because of Deb Smith, who was open to having Erica help us out,” Versyp said. “It’s allows Erica to get in great shape and to get focused and mentally prepared for softball.”

The arrangement is for this season only, as UMaine has scholarship commitments for the full complement of 15 players for 2001-02.

Luchini 8th in West Regional

Former Ellsworth High School star Louie Luchini helped the Stanford Cardinal earn their fifth straight NCAA West Region cross country championship at Woodward Park in Fresno, Calif., on Saturday.

Luchini was eighth overall and the third runner for Stanford, clocking a time of 31 minutes, 4 seconds over the 6.2-mile course.

Stanford star Jonathon Riley won the race in 30:40, while teammate Thomas Murley ran 30:59 to take seventh.

The Cardinal, who are ranked No. 2 in the nation, scored 58 points to edge Arizona (62) and Cal Poly (114).

Stanford’s next meet is the NCAA championships, which will be held on Nov. 20 at Iowa State.

Goree shines as freshman

Devon Goree went into training camp with the University of Maine football team in August fully prepared to learn the Black Bears’ defensive system and wind up sitting out – as a redshirt.

Injuries forced UMaine to use Goree earlier than planned – a month into the season – and the 5-foot-9, 180-pounder from Camden, N.J., has impressed from the outset.

Goree, who initially replaced the injured Dave Cusano, has worked his way into the lineup at cornerback. The speedy defender ranks first among Atlantic 10 freshmen with 7.0 tackles per game and earned league rookie of the week honors after making five tackles, recording a key interception in the end zone and breaking up two other passes Saturday in the Bears’ 42-17 victory over Northeastern.

“Devon Goree continues to amaze me,” said UMaine coach Jack Cosgrove. “He does some things that you really don’t teach. We really had to fast-forward that young man.”

Despite playing three fewer games than most of his teammates, Goree is tied for fourth on the squad with 49 tackles and leads the team with three interceptions.

Jagoutz breaks UMaine record

Todd Jagoutz arrived at UMaine in 1997 and quickly became the Bears’ football place-kicker after two other kickers left the team. Three years later, he’s the school’s all-time leading scorer.

Jagoutz, a 6-foot, 198-pounder from Duxbury, Mass., booted his way into the UMaine record book with six extra points Saturday in the Bears’ 42-17 victory over Northeastern at Alfond Stadium.

Jagoutz has scored 213 points in four seasons and also owns the UMaine mark for career field goals with 35. Having experienced his share of inconsistency over his career, Jagoutz never thought much about setting records.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” Jagoutz said of the marks. “I really didn’t have any goals set on it at the beginning of the season.”

Jagoutz credited long snapper Jeff Whitney, holder Jon Bond and his blockers with making his job much easier.

“Records are something that come with making kicks,” Jagoutz said. “I’m proud of the fact that I’m having a better season and I’m more consistent with all of my kicking.”

Jagoutz enters his final game having converted 107 of 119 extra points (.899), including 31 of 32 this season. He has kicked 35 field goals in 52 attempts (.673), with a career long of 48 yards.

Jagoutz is 9-for-11 on field goals this fall, having made all three in the 40- to 49-yard range.