Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 1998)
'pnm&D#!’ mm Shannon Heffelfinger NtPs Christo stepped up when needed Nebraska Coach Frank Solich called upon Monte Christo early in the second half of Saturday’s game against California because, as Christo said, starting quarterback Bobby Newcombe was injured and No. 2 quarterback Eric Crouch “had played as hard as he could for as long as he could” Christo could say the same thing about his own performance in NU’s 24-3 win against the Golden Bears. The fifth-year senior played like a four-year starter, completing 9 of 12 passes for 106 yards and a touch down. Christo’s leadership on the field became apparent in the third quarter when he repeatedly broke tackles or pushed his way through the line for extra yards. _‘ 1_i__. _ vmioiu liao u&vu suull UU effort or heart Like Crouch, he has always played as hard as he could for as long as he could. The problem for the past four years, though, has been that his injury-plagued body has never allowed him to play for more than three downs a season. Christo has had surgery on his knee, back and thumb (twice). Christo entered 1998 as NU’s most experienced quarter back but had never thrown a pass. Few Husker fans know much about Christo. His lack of playing time foe past four years never made him a noteworthy player. Christo was a star everywhere outside of Lincoln and Omaha as a Super-State quarterback at Kearney High in 1994. And he could have remained a star at any one of the Division II schools that offered him scholarships. But Christo turned down several offers - including one from his hometown school, Nebraska Kearney. The pain of the injuries and the pain of standing on the sidelines made him wonder if his decision would ever pay off. “And after the fourth injury, I really didn’t know,” Christo said. “But today was a great feeling. It was a long time coming.” Christo’s game against Cal was n’t a fluke. After four years on the sidelines, he knows NUh offense. At times, Christo runs foe option as well as Newcombe. Saturday, he passed uk uou os wcu as uvucn. As Newcombe’s and Crouch V injuries heal, Christo will have fewer chances to play, but he has proven himself. So Husker fans, meet Monte Christo, a former walk-on who has earned die introduction. Heh always had the heart and hels always had the desire. In his final season with the Huskers, things are finally starting to ■ payoff. And die pain has been worth it Heffelfinger is a junior news editorial major and a Dally i I Scott McClurg/DN MI’S MEGAN ANDERSON attempts to drive the ball past Stanford's Charmaine LeBlanc on Sunday afternoon during the Hnsker Fila Invitational held at the Abbot Sports Complex. Anderson had two assists as the Huskers defeated Stanford 3-0. Full squad revives Huskers By James Nicas Staff writer Last weekend, Nebraska midfielder Amy Walsh was hav ing one of the most memorable weekends of her life. Along with teammates Isabelle Morneau and Karina LeBlanc, Walsh helped the Canadian National Team defeat Mexico 1-0. The same joy was not felt among Walsh’s Corahusker teammates when they were upset the same weekend by Wisconsin-Mihvaukee 1-0. Last Friday night against eighth-ranked Clemson, the three Canadian natives, along with forward Lindsay Eddleman, returned to the lineup to help the No. 24 Huskers to an intense 4-1 vic tory. , After being upset last week end, Walsh said the team was looking forward to coming together again. “When die team came back together, there was a certain spark,” Walsh said. “The team can really play well when every one is hoe.” Senior midfielder Kristen Gay echoed her teammate’s statements, and said it was important to get the entire team back to get the loss behind them quickly. “It was unfortunate we lost to UWM, but it was really good to get the players back,” Gay said. “We definitely played with a lot more emotion with them back on the field.’ The impact of the four returning players was felt imme diately on the field. All four started against Clemson, increasing NU’s depth for the Please see SQUAD on 11 Nebraska senior Kim Engesser celebrated her 21st birthday on Sunday, but it was Engesser who provided die gifts for the No. 24 NU soccer team in the first-ever Husker Fila Invitational. Engesser scored three goals and added two assists in two games for the Cornhuskers this weekend against No. 8 Clemson and No. 20 Stanford. The Huskers beat Clemson 4-1 Friday, and then upset the Cardinals 3-0 Sunday. Engesser scored the game-winning goal in each game. “I just want us to win,” Engesser said. “If I can score to help us than that is great.” After losing last weekend against Wisconsin Mihvaukee, NU Coach John Walker said the team lacKea me intensity needed to win. Against Clemson (2-2), NU (3-1) played an attacking style of soccer that caused several alter cations between the two teams. A record crowd of 1,742 at die Abbott Sports Complex saw a physi cal game. Freshman Kelly Rheem opened the scoring in the 36* minute. The goal, which was assisted by Engesser and junior Sharolta Nonen, brought out a rare show of emotion from Walker and the Husker bench. The Huskers led 2-0 at halftime. The lead was trimmed to 2-1 after a Clemson goal in the 47* minute. In the second half, several NU players went down with injuries. That included sophomore goalkeeper Jackie Erdkamp, who played in the second half for starting goalie Karina LeBlanc. Erdkamp had to be helped off the field, and LeBlanc was suffering from a mild concussion. inai leu me Huskers with out a goalie. Minutes later, freshman midfielder Meghan Anderson came out of the Husker locker room wearing a goalkeeper jer sey. Anderson finished the u This could be the only famous moment of my. life.” Meghan Anderson NU midfielder final 36 minutes in goal - and stopped every shot -she faced. “We aren’t going to see too many stranger than that,” Walker said, “in practice, (Anderson) fools around playing goalie and the players in front of her did a good job.” After the game, Anderson was bombarded by her teammates, fans and the media. “This could be the only famous moment of my life,” Anderson said. “The defense stepped it up because they knew I didn’t know what I was doing.” Anderson didn’t have to worry about playing goalie against Stanford (3-1-1). LeBlanc came Please see SOCCER on 11 Offensive line coach pleased with NlPs attack By Andrew Strnad Staff writer Winning ugly has never been a con cern for Nebraska offensive line coach jvun ienopir. While some might regard die Comhuskers’ 24-3 win over California on Saturdaytobe - ugly, the 25* year coach called didn’t roll up the 400 yards mat ; jansnave become accustomed to, but once again used a balanced attack to defeat their opponent NU passed the ball 28 times Saturday completing IS for 180 yards. Being confronted with nine players up at toe line of scrimmage, the Husker line had problems at times handling the schemes ofCalifomia. “They did a goodjob selling out on therunagainstus, causing us some problems,” Tenqrirsaid. “Notprob lems Mocking-wise one on one, but when you add two or three guys in there.” Fatigue did play a factor in toe game, and Tenopir is hoping to find a way to fortify the tackle position. “Right now that looks like it might be a Ben Gessfordthat wewouki make a swing tackle,” Tenopir said. “And we might still play him some at giiard. We’re always a little nervous to put a kid thatls young into a starting rote.” Tenopir also discussed the possibil ities of moving freshman Dominic Raiola and sophomore Russ Hochstein to the tackle position. “Wve got to get somebody who can be a good swing tackle in there and relieve toose kids a bit,” Tenopir said, “fa an 80^ky game, itfe difficult to go toe whole game fresh-legged.” Junior rigjht tackle Jason Schwab was toe only Husker offensive starter to play every down. , As a unit, after three games, Tenopir is pleased with the improve ment of toe offensive line, particularly with toe maturity of some of the younger players. ball at this level at the offensive line,
