Sports briefs

MONTANA AD QUITS: Montana athletic director Wayne Hogan resigned Wednesday amid reports that the athletic program faces a nearly $1 million deficit due to high spending and accounting errors. Hogan took full blame for any mistakes when he announced the move in a news conference at the school.

Boxing

FIGHTER DIES: A Peruvian boxer died Wednesday, four days after collapsing following a title fight, a spokesman for the fight's promoter said. Luis Villalta, 35, lost consciousness in his dressing room minutes after losing the 12-round bout to Ricky Quiles on Saturday night. Villalta's wife and father were at the fighter's bedside when he died, said Warrior's Boxing spokesman Peter Kahn. Although Villalta was not knocked down in the fight, he did absorb heavy shots in the final two rounds.

College basketball

SUSPENDED PLAYER SUES: A suspended St. John's basketball player contended Wednesday he got $300 almost every month from a member of the team staff. In a statement read to reporters by one of his attorneys, Abraham Keita also said he is filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against the university.

Soccer

U.S. IN: The U.S. women's team qualified for the Athens Olympics, getting goals from four different players in a 4-0 victory Wednesday over Costa Rica. Mexico also got an Olympic berth with a 2-1 victory over Canada.

Hockey

BRUINS ACQUIRE GONCHAR: The Boston Bruins acquired defenseman Sergei Gonchar from the Washington Capitals on Wednesday in a bid to add scoring punch to their power play. The Bruins dealt Shaone Morrisonn and first- and second-round selections in the 2004 draft for the 29-year-old Gonchar, general manager Mike O'Connell announced.

NEDVED DEALT: The New York Rangers traded center Petr Nedved and goalie Jussi Markkanen to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday for forward Dwight Helminen, goalie Stephen Valiquette and a second-round pick this year.

Pro football