Sports Shorts

Captain Maor Melikson scored the lone goal last night as Hapoel Be'er Sheva edged Ashdod SC 1-0 to wrap up the eighth round of Premier League soccer play. Be'er Sheva keeper Tvrtko Kale stopped a penalty kick five minutes into injury time, protecting a win that propelled Hapoel to 7th in league standings with 11 points, a single point ahead of Ashdod. (Oren Kessler)

As its soccer namesake prepares to take on Italian giant Juventus in Champions League play tonight, Maccabi Haifa basketball club gave its sister club a potential confidence boost last night, beating Maccabi Rishon Letzion 84-75 for its first win of the season. Davon Jefferson scored 19 in Haifa's first victory in the Premier League after a 10-year absence. (Oren Kessler)

Serena Williams has set the record for single-season prize money in women's tennis by topping $6.5 million in 2009. Williams broke the WTA mark of slightly under $5.5 million, earned by Justine Henin in 2007. The American won the season-ending tour championships Sunday, beating older sister Venus in the final, and ending the year ranked Number 1. The younger Williams also won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2009. Williams' career prize money is now at a record $28.5 million. (AP)

Florida coach Urban Meyer has suspended Brandon Spikes for the first half of Saturday's game against Vanderbilt after the star linebacker attempted to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in a 41-17 victory. Meyer says Spikes was retaliating after getting his eye poked earlier in the game. Spikes, fourth on the team with 42 tackles and three sacks, decided to return for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft. Meanwhile, Syracuse wide receiver Mike Williams informed coach Doug Marrone yesterday that he would be quitting the team. Williams, who did not play last year because of academic problems, was suspended for Syracuse's game against Akron nine days ago for violating team policy. (AP)