Pro golf

MICKELSON TAKES LEAD ON WOODS: Phil Mickelson was unwinding from a day of high energy and quick turnarounds, one that took him from a two-shot deficit against Tiger Woods to a two-shot lead over the final eight holes Saturday in the HSBC Champions.

In the quiet of the clubhouse dining room, he marveled at how much the crowds have grown in the three years he has been coming to Sheshan International. And he could only imagine what it would be like today, when he played in the final group with Woods for the first time in more than four years.

Then he smiled and raised his glass in a mock toast.

"And he's got to give me one shot a side," Mickelson said.

A rivalry that was renewed six weeks ago in Atlanta continued halfway around world in China when Woods stalled with pars and Mickelson poured in three birdies over his last five holes for a 5-under 67 and a two-shot lead over Woods and Nick Watney in the final World Golf Championship of the year.

"I know we are both looking forward to it," said Mickelson, who was at 14-under 202. "I think it will be a fun day, and we are excited to be playing in the last group here in China."

Pro soccer

FIRE ADVANCES PAST REVOLUTION: John Thorrington and Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored as the Fire advanced to the Eastern Conference final with a 2-0 win over the New England Revolution on Saturday night.

Chicago entered the match trailing in the two-game, total-goal semifinals series after a 2-1 defeat at New England last Sunday.

Thorrington scored in the 35th minute of Game 2 with Marco Pappa and Brandon Prideaux getting assists. Blanco sealed the win with six minutes remaining in regulation.

It's the second consecutive season in which Chicago has eliminated New England from the playoffs, and fourth in eight all-time postseason matchups.

Chicago will host Real Salt Lake, which beat Columbus 4-2 on aggregate two days ago, next Saturday.

Pro football

SAINTS, THOMAS HOPE TO STAY PERFECT: Jake Delhomme has several reasons to love the Saints.

They were the team of his south Louisiana childhood, the first NFL team to put him on a roster, and ever since he left, he's been able to beat them with regularity.

The quarterback is 8-2 against New Orleans since joining the Panthers in 2003.

When asked about the last time he'd lost a game in the Superdome, Delhomme responded, "I don't know. I'd be lying. I'm not sure."

The Panthers haven't lost in Louisiana since 2001. Today, though, they will face what is increasingly looking like the best Saints team in the franchise's 43-year history.

For their offensive attack, the 7-0 Saints could go with a three-headed ground attack powered by Pierre Thomas (T.F. South), Mike Bell and Reggie Bush, who've combined for 975 yards and 10 TDs rushing. New Orleans leads the league in scoring, averaging 39 points, or 8.5 points per game more than the second-highest scoring team, Minnesota.

Pro basketball

NETS' DOUGLAS-ROBERTS HAS SWINE FLU: Chris Douglas-Roberts has tested positive for swine flu, another blow to a New Jersey Nets team that is losing players as quickly as games.

Douglas-Roberts had started every game for the winless Nets until missing a loss at Philadelphia on Friday with flu-like symptoms. Nets president Rod Thorn confirmed on Saturday that Douglas-Roberts tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

Thorn said the player has been treated and the Nets are following all precautionary measures called for by the NBA.

The diagnosis is the latest blow to a team that has been hit by a wave of injuries. Guard Courtney Lee also was sidelined Saturday with a strained left groin, leaving New Jersey with only eight players in uniform, the minimum allowed, for its game against Boston.

Men's basketball

MALONE TOPS CALUMET COLLEGE: Despite a double-double from Keith Dean (Crown Point), Calumet College fell 85-76 to Malone University on Saturday.

Dean had 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Crimson Wave (1-2). Wilfredo Escobar added 17 points.

Men's soccer

VU WINS REGULAR-SEASON FINALE: Adrian Ortiz scored twice as Valparaiso University edged Horizon League foe Cleveland State 2-1 in the Crusaders' regular-season finale. Rodolfo Lucas, Clayton Lyons, Roby Del Giudice and Kevin Miller had assists for the Crusaders (9-6-2, 4-2-2). With the win. VU secured the No. 3 seed for the tournament. The Crusaders will host a yet-to-be-determined opponent in Tuesday's opening round.

Women's soccer

VU'S KONDRATKO EARNS ACADEMIC HONOR: Valparaiso University women's soccer player Jackie Kondratko has been named the U.S. Army Horizon League Scholar-Athlete of the Month for October.

Kondratko had four goals and an assist in seven matches for the Crusaders. In the classroom, Kondratko sports a 3.95 cumulative grade-point average as a mechanical engineering major.