Quick Soccer Update, the Cavaliers beat the ‘Noles this evening 1-0. FSU has had problems beating the Cavs, and the streak continues. Still, 1-0 is close and FSU remains very competitive against the top tier teams this season.

‘,’2005-09-28 22:05:00′,’By Bill Kristoph

The Syracuse Orange (hey, Nike, it was a lot better when they were the Orangemen) visit Tallahassee this Saturday for a 3:30pm match up with the Seminoles. That should be the big story this weekend, but instead of focusing on the game, many ‘Nole fans have focused on an article published by Warchant.com about Xavier Lee’s frustrations regarding his playing time. Granted, having two talented young quarterbacks to choose from is a problem that a lot of other teams would like to have, but who’s wrong and who’s right in this situation? Just like everything else in life, it’s a gray area. At least there’s that little game to distract everyone for a few hours.

Is Xavier frustrated that he didn’t win the starting QB role outright? Sure. Does he have a complaint? Perhaps. Will Drew always be the best option at QB for the ‘Noles? Maybe not, but for now the answer is a resounding “Yes.” The two issues that message boards around ‘Nole Nation have had are A) Why publish anything like that? B) Why would Xavier speak out?

Now for your answers. I’ve heard a lot about journalistic integrity. Journalists report the good and the bad. My big problem with hearing that term, is that the term is used when it is convenient for the user. Also, there are plenty of journalists that sit on personal stories until the timing for the story’s release is right. Journalist also implies News service. ScalpEm.com doesn’t claim to be a News service, so you might very well get a slant here. Then again, the idea here is that everyone contributes, which theoretically evens out the slant. My point being is that I’ve chosen not to claim that I am a News service, and thus you will never hear me refer to myself as a journalist. Will it always be like that? Maybe not, but the day it changes, I promise to inform my loyal users. You don’t get an answer that is “convenient” from me, you get the truth.

As for Xavier, I’m not here to call anybody out. Maybe I’m getting older, or maybe I just want to avoid conflict, since enough of it has been created. Either way, Xavier knows he is talented and feels like he should be playing more. Should he have kept his mouth closed? In my opinion, yes, but not forever. I think this was the mistake of a frustrated young man venting about something he feels like he has no control over. The key for Xavier Lee to remember is that he has ALL of the control in this situation. Xavier, you have to grab a clipboard and a headset during the games and follow Coach Bowden around. Be visible, responsible and cheer on your teammates and those around you will notice. Granted, that strategy might not always work, and at some point Xavier probably has a right to vent, but not 3 games (and 3 wins) into the 2005 season. Play the game Xavier, it’s going to continue on into life after football too.

With all of that said, it’s on to the Syracuse Orange. Syracuse is one of those teams that bothers me. Their games have been sloppy, but close. And their two losses are to good teams. Their QB, Perry Patterson, is not a prolific passer, and the Seminole Defense will tear him up if the Orange get pass happy. But, the Orange also have RB, Damien Rhodes, who is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has 5 touchdowns this season. ‘Nole fans know what Boston College could do with a running game, expect to see Syracuse try the same tactics.

Expect Syracuse to come to Tallahassee with a lot of fight. The Big East Conference has been thrown under the bus this week for Louisville’s horrific (that doesn’t really describe it) loss to the USF Bulls. After hearing about how awful The Big East is, and remembering that they were snubbed by the ACC, the Orange will be happy to pound and slash at the ‘Noles.

For the Seminoles, this is a bad week to have off-field distractions. Is Drew Weatherford really so mature that he can ignore all of it, come out and have a great game and lead FSU to a 4-0 record? In the 2nd half, I think yes. In the first half, I think it will be a struggle, and I hope that Washington and Booker get ample opportunities to run if there aren’t 8 stacked in the box. Also, the ‘Noles should get Willie Reid back into the lineup, which means a few less dropped balls. Toss in a couple of field goals on some stalled first half drives, and the ‘Noles win a tighter one than everyone is expecting. Then ‘Nole fans can get back to whining about the stalled offense instead of a QB controversy!

‘Noles 13 Orange 9

Just an FYI for everyone, Seminole Softball will be hosting a doubleheader scrimmage on October 7 at 1pm and 5pm. If you have a chance, head out there an catch a preview of this season’s team.

Don’t forget that the Seminole Volleyball team needs your support. The ladies are trying to get the season turned around, and a victory over GT would be a great way to continue reaching for that goal. Head over there for the 7pm matchup!

The Wake Forest Game will be televised by Jefferson Pilot Sports at 12 noon on Saturday, October 8. FYI!

The Seminole Volleyball team continued a new Seminole Tradition of beating those BC Eagles, but notching the team’s first ACC victory of 2005 over Boston College, 30-24, 25-30, 30-25 and 30-28. Great job team!

The FSU Soccer Team got back on track yesterday with a 3-1 victory over N.C. State. Goals were scored by Mami Yamaguchi, Sel Kuralay and India Trotter. The ‘Noles move to 8-1 on the season and 1-1 in ACC play.

Up next for the soccer team is an ACC matchup at Virginia, this Thursday night.

No surprise, the Coed team fell to 2-1 on the season, thanks to a 30 something to 1 blowout, that I happily ended with 15 minutes left on the clock.

The opposing team can feel free to take batting practice elsewhere.

Anyway, great job team, and thanks for keeping a good attitude! We’ll be back out in full force next Friday night!

By Rhinole

The #7 Lady Noles soccer team suffer a 4-1 home loss to the #1 Lady Heels of UNC.

Ok…these questions may be running through your collective heads right now:

“Who is this guy?”
“I have never seen this guy before.”
“Does he know what he is talking about?”

Well fellow post-people…my name is Rhinole and I am a posting virgin. And no…not the 40 year old kind. I have been a member of this fine little family of ScalpEm’s for a while now. And since that time I have been given the stink eye about not being a contributing member of the family. Well that ended last night with a few of our more respected members of this disfunctional family here. And speaking of virgins…I had the pleasure of attending the soccer match between our Lady Noles and the Lady Heels of UNC, and with me were a couple soccer virgins. One was able to go the whole 90 minutes while the other only lasted a good 45 minutes. But since you can’t be half a virgin let me say congratulations boys…you are virgins no more.

Now as far as the game went it turned out a little as expected. Don’t get me wrong now. I want the Noles, any Noles, to go out and win any and every game they play in, but last night the Lady Heels showed me why they are top ranked. They were quick and I must write…a little lucky. Some breakdowns in front of the Nole net resulted in at least two of their scores. They were pretty free with the substitutions as well. Fresh legs mean a whole darn lot in a match. I don’t know the numbers but it sure seemed like they were getting in twice as many fresh players as the Noles. I guess you can do that though when you are up by several goals.

Our Noles though did show signs of brillance. At one point early in the first half it appeared as though the Noles would score first by getting a high bouncing ball over the UNC goal line but their goalie slapped it away(I say from behind the line). Hey…I am a Nole afterall. I blame the line referee who seemed more apt to track down any offsides penalty than anything else. He was not in postion to see this would be goal. The Noles, however, had several good looks at the net and really looked like they were handling the Heels well. A couple great shots on goal from #6 Sel Kuralay and a beautiful header from Mami Yamaguchi showed me that we have some dangerous ladies. The UNC goalie, 6′0″ Aly Winget, did a very good job in net to stop all those shots. We did not get shut out though. About half way through the second half, #2 India Trotter put one past the UNC amazon for the Noles only score.

The end of the game pretty much ended like a football game or basketball game with the leading team just playing keep away, but in those closing minutes I really appreciated being out there with good friends (I mean friend as one left to download pics of the game for this post, at least that is what I would like to believe) and watching such fine athletes playing a sport I have loved and played for a long time. The rivalry is there people…you have to go out there and support your homers. These two teams are the tops of the ACC and all of college soccer and I have a strong suspicion that won’t change for a long time. Except that I do hope who controls that top spot changes real soon! Good game girls and me and my newly unvirginized buddies will see you at the pitch next time…rain or shine.
Go Noles!