Soccer Watch

The UT women had their best weekend of the year last weekend, sweeping Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, 1-0 and 3-1 respectively. Goalkeeper Dana Hall made two huge saves in the final minute to preserve the OU win and was named Big 12 defensive player of the week for her efforts, while Kelly Wilson became UT's all-time assist leader. This weekend it's out of the frying pan, into the fire: The Longhorns – who've had little success away from home this year – head north to 11-2 Kansas, and 8-3-1 Colorado, before returning for a nonconference game against BYU, Thursday, Oct. 14, 7pm, Mike Myers Stadium. $4-6.

Meanwhile, it's a busy week ahead in World Cup Qualifying, with 97 games, on all five continents. The U.S. men can clinch a spot in the CONCACAF final round by winning at El Salvador on Saturday night, but that will be a tall order. San Salvador is always a tough place to play, and the crowd will be exceptionally rowdy after the ill-tempered first match between these two last month in Boston. Unfortunately, the game is on pay per view only (Oct. 9, 8:30pm).

The U.S. is in action again on Wednesday, hosting Panama in Columbus, Ohio; this one's being shown live on ESPN2 (Sept. 13, 6:30pm).

All the WC Qualifiers in Europe on Saturday are pay per view only as well. Best bet? How about starting the day with a traditional British breakfast at Fadó, where they're showing England vs. Wales at 9am via closed circuit. Story lines galore here: the first game ever between pals David Beckham and Ryan Giggs of Wales; the first time in about a year that England have had Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell together in the defense; and what of Michael Owen, the former Liverpool star who's scarcely been seen since moving to Real Madrid this season? At press time, England coach Sven Goran Eriksson hadn't announced his starters. Also on at Fadó: Scotland-Norway, also at 9am; Ukraine-Greece at 11:15am; Croatia-Bulgaria at 1:30pm; and France-Ireland at 2pm. (Fadó Irish Pub, 214 W. Fourth, $20 cover). That's just a little of the WC action going on this week; for the full schedule, see "Soccer Watch Online."

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Big 12 Standings

(team / Big 12 record / Overall record)

Texas A&M / 5-0-0 / 10-3-0

Nebraska / 3-0-0 / 9-3-0

Kansas / 3-1-0 / 11-2-0

Texas / 3-2-0 / 7-4-0

Missouri / 2-2-0 / 5-6-1

Iowa State / 2-2-0 / 5-7-0

Oklahoma St. / 1-2-0 / 9-2-1

Colorado / 1-2-0 / 8-3-1

Baylor / 1-3-0 / 4-6-1

Oklahoma / 0-3-0 / 4-4-3

Texas Tech / 0-3-0 / 3-8-0