THE DAY IN SPORTS : Preki leaves as Chivas USA’s coach

On Thursday, four days after being eliminated in the first round of the Major League Soccer playoffs for the fourth year in a row, Chivas USA parted company with Coach Preki “by mutual agreement.”

Preki, 46, former Major League Soccer and U.S. national team standout, said he was leaving to pursue other coaching opportunities. In his three seasons, Preki compiled a 40-29-21 record in the regular season and a 0-3-3 record in the playoffs.

-- Grahame L. Jones

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Brigham Young defeated UC Santa Barbara, 2-0, in the first round of the NCAA women’s soccer tournament in Stanford, eliminating the Gauchos.

Stanford eliminated Northern Arizona by beating the Lumberjacks, 2-0.

TENNIS

Murray loses in third round

Andy Murray lost to Radek Stepanek, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, and Rafael Nadal survived another three-setter in the third round of the Paris Masters.

Nadal overcame fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, breaking twice in the last three games.

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Belgian tennis player Yanina Wickmayer says she was never properly informed of the online reporting requirements for drug-testing that led to her one-year ban from the sport. At a tearful news conference Thursday, the 20-year-old U.S. Open semifinalist accused the World Anti-Doping Agency and Belgian sports authorities of treating her unfairly and ruining her career.

BASEBALL

Hudson signs with Braves

Tim Hudson agreed to a $28-million, three-year contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, giving the team a wealth of starting pitching and setting up a likely trade to bolster the offense. . . . The Kansas City Royals have agreed to terms with infielder Wilson Betemit, a 28-year-old infielder who spent last season in the Chicago White Sox organization.

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Former All-Star closer John Wetteland, now a bullpen coach in Seattle, was resting at home in Denton, Texas, a night after a trip to a hospital, where the Mariners say he was treated for an elevated heart rate. A 911 call was made from Wetteland’s home in the afternoon.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Ohio State beats James Madison

Evan Turner followed up his triple-double with 24 points and 17 rebounds and No. 16 Ohio State recovered from a listless spell to beat visiting James Madison, 72-44, in the 2K Sports Classic. David Lighty added 14 points and William Buford had 12 for the Buckeyes, who advance to meet sixth-ranked defending national champion North Carolina in the semifinals next Thursday night in Madison Square Garden.

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Tracy Smith had 18 points and 11 rebounds to help North Carolina State beat Georgia State, 69-53, in the season opener for both teams at Raleigh, N.C.

GOLF

Kim leads Ochoa Invitational

Song-Hee Kim shot a seven-under 65 in the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico, to take a two-stroke lead over Jiyai Shin, Paula Creamer and Mariajo Uribe.

Kim held a six-shot advantage over the top-ranked Lorena Ochoa.

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Justin Rose shot a seven-under 65 in the opening round of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., edging upstart Rickie Fowler for the top spot on the leaderboard. . . .

Emily Tubert of Burbank Burroughs shot a five-under 67 to win the CIF girls’ individual golf championship at the Talega Golf Club in San Clemente.

JURISPRUDENCE

Three Tennessee players charged

Three freshmen Tennessee football players, including highly touted wide receiver recruit Nu’Keese Richardson and starting safety Janzen Jackson, were charged with attempted armed robbery in Knoxville, Tenn. Richardson, 18, and Jackson, 18, along with defensive back Mike Edwards, 18, and companion Marie Montmarquet, 22, were each charged with three counts of attempted armed robbery in connection with an incident at a gas station at the edge of Tennessee’s campus. . . . A not-guilty plea has been entered for former Vikings first-round draft pick Erasmus James, who is charged with disorderly conduct in a Madison, Wis., bar fight.