Further Treatment For Injured Goalie

Heavily bandaged and clearly suffering, Rochester Rhinos goalie Billy Andracki returned home from Seattle ahead of his teammates yesterday to begin further medical treatment for the injuries he suffered in Sunday's A-League championship.

"He's in severe pain," said Frank DuRoss, the Rhinos' president who had flown back to Rochester with him. "He's suffering physical and emotional trauma."

Andracki hit the goal post with his head while diving to stop a shot early in a game that the Sounders won 2-0.

The goalie was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where it took 76 stitches to close cuts to his forehead, upper lip and chin.

Andracki also broke his nose. In addition, he had a bone chip removed from his nose, and he lost two teeth. He plans to see a plastic surgeon.

TENNIS

Steffi Graf today pulled out of next week's European indoor championship because of a knee injury.

-- The United States will play at Brazil in the first round of next year's Davis Cup, the first time the two will have played each other in 31 years.

The championship final remains to be played this year, France at Sweden Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

-- Austrian officials mulled legal action over an ITF decision to uphold a fine against Thomas Muster for his Davis Cup doubles walkout.

Muster and his manager expressed disappointment at the verdict.

"It was a crazy vote of no-confidence in Thomas, it damages his reputation," manager Ronnie Leitgeb said of the decision in London to uphold an $8,000 fine imposed for leaving the court and making an obscene gesture during a Davis Cup match in Brazil.

Muster said he walked off because he felt threatened by fans, saying they hurled things at him, spat at and insulted him, and blinded him with a mirror.

BASKETBALL

David Benoit, slated to be the New Jersey Nets starting small forward, apparently has a severe Achilles' tendon injury that will sideline him at least a couple of months.

Benoit was injured last week when he was kicked in the right leg atthe team's training camp in St. Leo, Fla.

-- Brent Price, expected to replace Kenny Smith at point guard for the Houston Rockets, sprained a ligament in his right knee and will be sidelined two to three weeks. Price signed as a free agent July 16.

CYCLING

Olympic cyclist Lance Armstrong, 25, is suffering from testicular cancer and said today he plans to become a spokesman to further awareness of the disease.

In an upbeat news conference from Austin, Tex., Armstrong, America's best road racer, said he hopes to return to his sport next season. Doctors said he has a 65 percent to 85 percent chance of recovery. He had a testicle removed last week but tests showed the cancer has spread to his abdomen.

Armstrong, who started aggressive chemotherapy treatments yesterday, said he had a swollen testicle for as long as he raced, but it did not bother him until last week.

-- Andy Hampsten, 34, one of the world's top cyclists, has announced his retirement.

Hampsten turned pro in 1985 and spent 10 full-time seasons on the European circuit.

NORTHWEST NOTES

The Washington women's golf team shot a 302 to finish one stroke behind Stanford after the first 18 holes of the 54-hole Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational at Sahalee Country Club in Redmond.

The Huskies were led by Andrea Cordova's 1-over-par 73, good for second place. She is one stroke ahead of teammate Dodie Mazzuca. Jennifer Stapleton, another Husky, had a 76 for sixth place.

Mhairi McKay of Stanford shot an even-par 72 to lead the field of 63.

Washington State was eighth with 329.

-- Warren Edwards of Seattle has been honored as a U.S. Olympic Committee Coach of the Year for his work with the canoe and kayak team.

As the Seattle Canoe Club's volunteer head coach, Edwards helped develop members of the National B and Junior National teams, and one alternate on the 1996 Olympic team.

-- Larry Daniels of Seattle and Mark Johnson of Edmonds shared the first-round-lead in the PNGA Men's Mid-Amateur tournament in Gig Harbor.

Both shot even-par 72 on the 6,245-yard Canterwood Golf and Country Club course. One stroke back were Greg Ott of Kent and Gary Holt of Spokane.

-- The Seattle Pacific University women's volleyball team (7-2 Pacific West Conference, 9-7 overall) beat Alaska Anchorage 3-1 at Brougham Pavilion.

-- Hannah Bradford of Seattle Pacific was named the Pacific West volleyball Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks.