by Rocky Mountain News , Rocky Mountain News

Terms of the buyout weren't released in a statement issued by Furniture Row, which earlier announced a reduced schedule for 2009.

"This buyout of Joe's contract has nothing to do with his on-track performance," team president Joe Garone said. "But our contract with Joe for 2009 was for a full schedule, and we're not able to fulfill that part of the deal."

Nemechek, who finished 37th in the Sprint Cup standings, qualified for 32 of 36 races and won a pole position in April at the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Nemechek hasn't announced his plans for next season.

EAGLES SOAR AGAIN Greg Pankewicz had a hat trick in a seven-goal second period as the Central Hockey League's Colorado Eagles (12-2-0) expanded their Northwest Division lead by romping past the Rapid City Rush (3-5-4) 8-2 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland.

* The CHL's Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (9-3-1) scored four goals in the second period and handed the Rocky Mountain Rage (3-8-1) a 5-2 loss at the Broomfield Event Center.

DU TRIO HONORED DU senior forward Kyle Christensen, freshman forward Sam Garza and freshman midfielder Jarod Stigall received recognition from topdrawersoccer.com, earning places on the Web site's national Team of the Season.

Christensen, who was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year and selected All- MPSF first team, was named to the third team. He leads Denver (10-6-2) with six goals, including three game winners, and 15 points this season.

Garza and Stigall were named to the all-rookie second team.

Garza, the MPSF Newcomer of the Year and an All-MPSF second-team honoree, has tallied four goals and four assists for 12 points this season.

Stigall has three goals and two assists for eight points this season.

CCU ADVANCES Kaylan Bear- den hammered in the game- winning goal with two seconds remaining to lift the Colorado Christian University women's soccer team (7-13-0) to a 2-1 victory against Central Christian and into the National Christian College Athletic Association Regional Championship match.

The Cougars will face Dallas Baptist University in the title match at 11:30 a.m. today at Colorado Academy.

FALCONS LOSE The sixth-seeded Air Force water polo team lost 6-4 to third seed UC-Davis in the opening round of the Western Water Polo Association Championship in Claremont, Calif.

The Falcons fell short because of a strong effort by Aggies goalkeeper Kevin Peat, who had 12 saves.

CSU FALLS SHORT The Colorado State women's volleyball team (22-4, 12-3 Mountain West Conference) lost 19-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 20-22 to Brigham Young (12-12, 6-9) on Thursday night in Provo Utah. The Rams face Utah today, needing a win to claim the MWC title.

* Despite a season-high eight service aces, the Air Force volleyball team lost 17- 25, 18-25, 25-17, 8-25 to host San Diego State on Thursday.

UNC ANNOUNCES SIGNING Northern Colorado softball coach Jennifer Schunke announced the signing of Melanie Buol, a senior third baseman for Loveland High School.

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