Sports in brief

SOCCER

Portugal wins, reaches semis

Cristiano Ronaldo scored on a powerful header in the 79th minute, sending Portugal to the European Championship semifinals with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic yesterday in Warsaw. Ronaldo hit the post twice, then finally delivered. He headed a cross by Joao Moutinho straight at the ground and up past the flailing hands of Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech. Portugal will play Spain or France in the semifinals in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday.

GOLFPark wins twice in Publinx

Annie Park of Levittown won two matches in the Women's Amateur Public Links championship at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Neshanic Valley, N.J. Park beat Sally Watson of Scotland, who has been a Curtis Cup player, 3 and 1 in the morning, then defeated Brittany Altomare of Shrewsbury, Mass., 2 and 1 to reach the quarterfinals.

Mathis leads Travelers

David Mathis had a hole-in-one and shot a 6-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn. U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson and Masters winner Bubba Watson played together and each shot 66. The third member of the threesome, PGA champion Keegan Bradley, shot 68.

COLLEGES

S. Carolina beats Arkansas

Jordan Montgomery and Matt Price combined on a three-hitter last night as two-time defending national champion South Carolina beat Arkansas, 2-0, in the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. The two teams will meet again tonight to decide which plays Arizona in the best-of-three finals beginning Sunday. Michael Roth threw a two-hitter earlier in the day as South Carolina eliminated Kent State, 4-1.

Arizona reached the finals by eliminating Florida State, 10-3, converting three errors into a six-run first inning. Robert Refsnyder and Bobby Brown homered in a span of three at-bats in the fourth.

AWARDS

LaFontaine honored for service

Former Islander and Ranger Pat LaFontaine was one of three athletes to receive the Jefferson Award for public service. Former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and auto racer Charlie Kimball also were honored. LaFontaine founded the Companions in Courage Foundation in 1997 while playing for the Buffalo Sabres. The foundation raises money to fund interactive playrooms for children in hospitals across the country.

WNBALiberty hammered by Lynx

The Lynx (11-1) earned a 102-70 win over the visiting Liberty (4-8) despite Cappie Pondexter's 30 points. Seimone Augustus' 26 led the Lynx.

HORSE RACING

Velazquez out four to six weeks

Leona Velazquez said two doctors decided that her husband, jockey John Velazquez, won't need surgery on his broken right collarbone. In a news release, she said doctors estimated the injury will heal in four to six weeks.