4 - The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - Monday, September 19, 1994
Women's soccer starts up
New coach leads team into first season of varsity play
By DAVID ROTH BART
FOR THE DAILY
For the first-year women's varsity
soccer program, breaking even is a
victory in itself. Five games into their
fall season, head coach Debbie Belkin
said her Wol-
verine squad is
exactly where
she'dlikethem
to be. SOCCER
coming together as a team and improv-
ing each game," Belkin said. "I didn't
expect us to be playing at this level so
soon."
The Wolverines are 2-2-1 in the
early going, including a dramatic over-
time win against Detroit-Mercy. Their
other victory came against Northern
Illinois. The Wolverines have suffered
two close losses to conference foes
Indiana and Ohio State.
The defense has shown signs of
improvement. Michigan yielded only
two goals to Ohio State and shut out
Detroit-Mercy. Sophomore goaltender
Jory Welchans has been outstanding,
according to teammate Carrie Povilaitis.
"We definitely have a lot of confi-
dence in her," Povilaitis said. "The
(Ohio State) goals were tough, but she's
doing a great job."
The Wolverines' offense has scored
just two goals in their last three games.
"We have to capitalize on our scor-
ing chances," sophomore midfielder
Whitney Ricketts said.
"We just have to find a way to
score," freshman forward Ruth Poulin
said. "The most important thing is to
get the ball in the net."
To improve their offensive capa-
bilities, Belkin has been working with
her team on careful passing and main-
taining possession of the ball. Belkin
has also stressed the need for her play-
ers to come out strong at the beginning
of games and fight for loose balls.
Povilaitis, a freshman defender,
credited her coach with the team's early
success. She said that Belkin gives her
players the individual attention they
need to improve at their positions.
"We have the utmost respect for
(Coach Belkin)," added Ricketts. "It's
got to be tough to start a brand-new
program with so many new players.
She's pulled us together."
Belkin was hired last December
after starting a women's soccer pro-
gram at Fairfield University (Conn.)
and leading them to an undefeated
record in the Metro Atlantic Confer-
ence in just their second season.
Michigan promoted women's soc-
cer to a varsity sport this year as part of
an attempt to create gender equity
among its athletic teams.
Belkin said recruiting is tough when
there is no history behind the varsity
squad. This year's team is comprised
mostly of freshmen, though transfers
Welchans, Ricketts, forward Clare
Loftus, and sweeper Kim Phillips have
all made great contributions. The squad
also includes a few older players, car-
ried over from last year's club team.
Although the team's lack of experi-
ence is a disadvantage, the coach re-
mained optimistic. "We'll have these
women for three or four years," Belkin
said. "We're building right now, but
we will be a very competitive team for
years to come.
The kickers' season continues with
the final three games of a five-game
home stand this week, against Tiffin
(Ohio) on Wednesday, Minnesota on
Friday, and Valparaiso (Ind.) on Sun-
day.
"We're starting to develop a bond
with each other. Everyone is more anx-
ious to play," Poulin said. "We want to
represent Michigan, we want to fight
for the team and we want to win."
"We've played great so far," said
Ricketts, an Ann Arbor native.
"Breaking even would be very good
for a first-year team. If we can win
eight or nine games (of 17), I'll be
happy."
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f
VC-!
,.
MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
The women's soccer team has gotten off to a 2-2-1 record in their inaugural season of varsity play. The Wolverines
join Northwestern and Penn State as new additions to the Big Ten conference.
Field hockey hopes
for coiitinued success
By MARC DILLER
DAILY SPORTS WRITER
What happens to a top-flight field hockey team when it loses its starting goalie
and five of its leading scorers? Most teams would take a year to rebuild, but not
Michigan. It has higher aspirations than that.
After finishing the finest season in team history and achieving their highest
final national ranking ever (No. 16), the Wolverine field hockey team has
reloaded and is poised for another successful season
FIELD in the Big Ten Conference.
"This team has a lot of talent with limited playing
UocKEY experience," Michigan coach Patti Smith said. "It's
just going to take time."
Smith enters her seventh year with the Wolver-
ines. She has compiled a 50-40-4 record since joining the Wolverines in 1987 and
she hopes to improve upon her record season in 1994.
"We have a lot of talented and skillful players on the field and I think together,
we should be a great team," Smith said.
The Wolverines need to fill the void in the offense created by the graduation
of leading scorers Kalli Hose (22 points), a second team All-Big Ten pick, and
Keely Libby (19 points).
Juniors Aaleya Koreishi, the team's top returning scorer (13 points), Sherene
Smith, Gia Biagi and senior team captain Nancy Irvine inherit the team leadership
positions up front.
"The juniors and seniors from this year have to start to pick it up and lead this
team," Patti Smith said.
The Wolverines add eight of the nation's top freshmen to their roster. Among
the freshmen who look to make an impact on the team this year are defender Julie
Flachs and forward Carolyn Schwarz, who have started all six games so far this
season. Brenda Beaudry, Sandra Cabrera, Meredith Weinstein, Aimee Remigio,
Jaime Robbins and Amy Herber all will challenge for playing time as well.
"On paperwe have a young team," Irvine said. "We'll surprise people because
we are definitely one of the best teams in the nation again."
The early season acts as preparation for Michigan's Big Ten season, which
starts this Friday at Northwestern. The Wolverines finished fourth in the Big Ten
last year behind Penn State, Iowa and the Wildcats.
So far, Michigan (4-2) has shown impressive ballhandling ability. Their main
weakness has been their inability to capitalize on penalty corners and scoring
opportunities.
"We look really strong at passing," Irvine said. "We've had trouble finishing
things off though and putting the ball in the net."
The Wolverines' biggest adjustment will be on defense. In the backfield,
Jennifer Dimascio and Lelli Hose, both second team All-Big Ten selections,
graduated last spring. Together they helped Michigan limit their opponents to
only 184 shots on goals and 57 penalty corners.
Sophomores Michelle Smulders, Bree Derr and Selina Harris will play key
roles in keeping the defense together. Flachs has also proven to be a key role
player in the backfield.
"I think our defense is doing a lot better than before," Flachs said. "We're still
trying to find that good, strong defense."
One player who will be dependent on the defensive help will be junior
goalkeeper Rachel Geisthardt. Geisthardt started the first nine games of '93 and
displayed the potential to be a top goalie, but she suffered a knee injury which kept
her sidelined for the remainder of the season.
"Rachel is still getting her timing back," coach Smith said. "She keeps getting
better and better."~
Michigan hopes to improve upon last year's mark now that they will be a
feared opponent.
"I think we have an enormous amount of potential, even better than last year."
Hams said. "We're starting to jell now and the momentum from last year is
ctartino toea morinr _n f reat
'M' harriers look to
defend Big Ten title
By DOUG STEVENS
DAILY SPORTS WRITER
The1994 version of the men's Cross Country team promises to be one of the
most talented and exciting teams to run for the Wolverines in years. After
capturing its first Big Ten title in 13 years in 1993, a repeat is a distinct possibility,
Coach Ron Warhurst, who is returning for his 21st
season at the Wolverine helm is expecting big things M EN '
from this year's team.
"We hope to repeat as Big Ten champions and finish CROSS
in the top eight at the NCAA meet," Warhurst said. Last
year's team finished 10th at the NCAA Championships. COUNTRY
Michigan returns many of its top runners from its
championship squad including All-American Kevin
Sullivan and All-Big Ten runner Scott MacDonald. Sullivan, who despite being
only a sophomore already has a resume complete with impressive accolades. This
includes a fourth-place finish at last year's NCAA nationals, first-place perf -
mances in both the Big Ten and NCAA District IV meets, and a second-pl.
showing in the 1500 meters at the Commonwealth Games this summer where he
represented his native Canada.
MacDonald, who is returning for his junioryear, has earned All-Big Ten status
in each of his first two seasons, in addition to being an All-American as a
freshman. MacDonald, like Sullivan, competed for his native Canada in the
Commonwealth Games.
Due to the fact that they trained for the Commonwealth Games all summer,
neither Sullivan nor MacDonald will race until October.
"This (not competing) will help them get back into the swing of things,"
Warhurst said. "They will still be practicing and this is going to help them be reg
for the major meets later in the season.
"Kevin and Scott are both bright, have speed, desire, and competitiveness.
They've got the whole package."
One runner who should provide the Wolverines with leadership is team
captain Ian Forsyth. Forsyth has consistently scored (placed in Michigan's top
five runners) in the past three years and should be an influential part of the team's
bid to repeat as Big-Ten champs.
"I hope to finish in the top two or three on the team at every meet, make All-
Big Ten, and finish at least top 40 at nationals," Forsyth said.
"I am looking forward to seeing Ian compete with Scott and Kevin later in
season," Warhurst said.
Other runners who could crack into the top five on the team include fourth-
year Kris Eggle, third-year sophomore David Barnett, junior Theo Molla, and
freshman Don McLaughlin.
In the team's first competition, an open meet held on the U of M golf course,
Forsyth and McLaughlin were both pleasant surprises, according to Warhurst.
In addition, Michigan finished second out of a field of nine at an Eastern
Michigan invitational on September 16, although they ran without Sullivan,
MacDonald, and Molla.
Although Michigan will be competing in at least six more meets this season,
its main focus will be on the Big Ten meet, the NCAA District IV Championsll
and the NCAA National Championship. In addition, the team is preparing for t
Wolverine Interregional on October 16, where the competition will include
Stanford, Air Force, and Tennessee.
MOLLY STEVENS/Daily
its sights set on a second
The Michigan men's cross country has
consecutive Big Ten championship.
Crew team thrives on hard
work and sense of adventure
By MICHAEL JOSHUA
FOR THE DAILY
It is 6 am, do you know where you
are?
If you are a regular student at the
University of
ty1 EX $ seMichigan,
ruOMEN Smost likely
you are in a
iiREW warm, cozy
bed sound
asleep. But if you are of the rare type
striving for adventure and a little some-
thing more, you could be beginning
practice with the women's crew team.
Most people do not have a very
good understanding of the sport of
turns seniors Lauri Tuschen, Pam
Carroll and Katherine Kraner.
The team is always looking for new
members. The only qualifications that
are required are that you are an athlete
and love to compete, according to coach
Mark Rothstein.
While he is still recruiting mem-
bers, his recruiting style differs slightly
from that of Steve Fisher or Gary
Moeller. Being a club sport, crew
members are not given the big time
scholarships. Therefore, coach
Rothstein looks for physical athletic
bodies in dormitories, the diag and
other places where students are to be
found.
"Ninety-nine percent of our people
Women's Voll
Sept. 23 at N
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
Oct.
8
11
14
15
19
at Michigan St.
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