SOCCER: U.S. advances past Nigeria
Sliding feet first, Lori Chalupny scored 57 seconds into the game – the second-fastest goal in the history of the Women’s World Cup – as the U.S. defeated Nigeria 1-0 yesterday in Shanghai, China, to advance into the quarterfinals. The only quicker goal in tournament history was a 30-second score by Sweden’s Lena Videkull in 1991. he U.S., seeking another title to go with the ones from 1991 and ’99, next faces England on Saturday.
STEROIDS: Gibbons questioned
Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons met Monday with two officials from the commissioner’s office to discuss a report he received performance-enhancing steroids and human growth hormone after both substances were banned by baseball.
Gibbons reportedly got six shipments of Genotropin (a brand name for synthetic human growth hormone), two shipments of testosterone and two shipments of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) between October 2003 and July 2005.
St. Louis outfielder Rick Ankiel met with baseball lawyers Sept. 11 following a report that said he received eight shipments of prescription HGH in 2004, before it was banned by baseball. Baseball officials have not yet met with Toronto third baseman Troy Glaus, who received multiple shipments of nandrolone and testosterone between September 2003 and May 2004.
* A company that distributed HGH to “well known athletes and entertainers” has agreed to pay a $10.5 million penalty and cooperate with ongoing law enforcement investigations, federal prosecutors said yesterday. Under the terms of the agreement, Specialty Distribution Services Inc., a subsidiary of Express Scripts Inc., will not face prosecution for three years if it fully complies with terms of the agreement.
HOCKEY: Burke hangs up skates
NHL goaltender Sean Burke officially retired yesterday after nearly 20 years in the league. Burke, 40, who began his career with the Devils in the 1987-88 season, spent last season with the Kings, and played for nine teams during his career, which also included playing for Canada in the 1988 Olympics. He also played for Hartford, Philadelphia, Carolina, Vancouver, Florida, Phoenix and Tampa Bay.
* Former Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch, U.S. Olympic gold and silver medalist Cammi Granato, writer and broadcaster Stan Fischler, and longtime communications executive John Halligan will be this year’s recipients of the Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey in the U.S. The recipients will be honored at a luncheon on Nov. 7.
GOLF: Louis Willie, 84
Louis J. Willie Jr., a black businessman who helped defuse a racial dispute surrounding the 1990 PGA Championship by becoming an honorary member at the all-white Shoal Creek club in suburban Birmingham, Ala., died Sunday night. He was 84.
Protests mounted after the club president said the club would not be pressured into accepting black members. Willie helped the situation by taking an offer of honorary membership. Afterward, the PGA and other golf groups said they would no longer hold tournaments at clubs that lacked minorities or women as members.
* Tom Joyce, long-time head pro at Glen Oaks, shot a 2-under 69 to take a one-shot lead over Griff Harris pro Joe Bostic in the first round of the Key Food Met PGA Seniors Championship at Pine Hollow Country Club in East Norwich, L.I.
HOOPS: Landesberg to make choice
St. John’s doesn’t open its basketball season until November, but perhaps the most important day of the year for the program will come on Oct. 1. That’s when Holy Cross standout senior Sylven Landesberg is set to announce his college choice.
The reigning CHSAA player of the year just completed his official visits, the most recent of which came last weekend to Georgia Tech. The 6-5 swingman had previously visited St. John’s and Virginia.