14 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 26, 1997 'M' soccer shoots for sixth straight. By Joe Reubens For the Daily What a difference a year makes. After compiling a ghastly 6-15 Big Ten record the past three years, Michigan is coming into this weekend undefeated in the conference (2-0). But the Wolverines have a rough time ahead of them. Michigan, 7-1 overall faces the dual chal- lenge of conference rivals Wisconsin and Northwestern this weekend to keep its pris- tine mark intact. Wisconsin - Michigan's opponent at 3 p.m. today on Michigan Soccer Field - has been Michigan's Achilles' heel since the women's soccer team was formed four years ago. In their five meetings, the Wolverines have wound up on the short end of the stick every time. "We have played Wisconsin five times, twice in the playoffs, and we have never beaten them," Michigan coach Debbie Belkin said. "We have tied them once and came close a few times, but we have never won." Nevertheless, the Wolverines are opti- mistic. Despite Michigan's lackluster histo- ry against the Badgers, the Wolverines were in high spirits at yesterday's practice, eager- ly awaiting today's first contest. Ranked 15th in the country and having home field advantage, the Wolverines are the likely favorites this time around, riding a team- record five-game winning streak. For once, it appears the shoe is on the other foot. "We are taking it easy," freshman goalie Carissa Stewart said. "We feel real strong and confident right now and we are looking forward to this weekend's games. "Wisconsin and Northwestern are some of the better teams we are going to face this year, but we're just as good and we know we can get the job done." After facing the Badgers today, the Wolverines will have their hands full with Northwestern (0-2 Big Ten, 4-3 overall) at 2 p.m. at Michigan Soccer Field. Northwestern has had difficulty beating Big Ten teams, though, succumbing to Minnesota and Penn State Michigan has had good luck with Northwestern in the past, taming the Wildcats in two out of the three times they have faced each other. The Wolverines are still riding high after their 4-1 romp of conference rival Ohio "We have played Wisconsin five times ME ad we have never beaten then. 3 - Debbie Belkin Michigan soccer coach State last Saturday. The Wolverines crushed the Buckeyes, holding them scote- less until the final minutes of play last Sunday. Sophomore phenom Amber Berendowsky is already setting records in her short tenure as a Wolverine. With her next goal or assist, Berendowsky will break her own single-sea- son point record, which she set last year as a freshman with 19 points. "This year she is more physical and more comfortable," Belkin said of her star player. "After being quiet as a freshman, she is communicating more." Berendowsky has scored 19 points this season in eight games, twice as fast as she did last season. Carrie Brady and the Michigan soccer team are riding a team- record five-game win streak. The Wolverines host conference foes Wisconsin and Northwestern this weekend, start- ing with the Badgers at 3 p.m today. JOHN KRAFT/Daiy FILE PHOTO Jeanine Szczesniak and Sarah Jackson open the Big Ten season in Minnesota and Iowa this weekend. Today, the Wolverines take on the 10-1 Gophers. Real season set to start for 'M' spikers By T.. Berka Daily Sports Writer Forget everything you have seen and read about the Michigan volleyball team. Think of the past four weeks as though they never happened, because starting this weekend, the games really count for something. After a 7-4 preseason dress rehearsal, the Wolverines begin their conference season this weekend, with matches at Minnesota (10-1) tonight and at Iowa (7- 4) tomorrow night. Traditionally, this is the point of the season where the Wolverines have the most trouble. Since 1982, the Wolverines are 3-12 in their Big Ten openers, with their last conference-open- ing victory in 1995. "One of our goals this year was to start out strong in-conference, because we have started out slow during the past few years," Michigan coach Greg Giovanazzi said. "We have barely missed the tournament the past few years, a lot of it due to slow starts in Big Ten play." The road to a strong conference start isn't easy, however, as the Wolverines have to play Minnesota. The Gophers have owned the Wolverines, posting a 26-4 record against Michigan since 1979. The Wolverines are looking to build on last year's trip to Minneapolis, in which they defeated the Gophers in three consecutive games. "(The Gophers) have a lot of person- nel returning from last year," Giovanazzi said. "Their building is a tough place to play, but we have a lot of confidence from winning there last year." Minnesota also presents a different look for the Wolverines. The Gophers employ an attack in which two players pass during an offensive set, as opposed to the regular attack, in which one play- TIRED OF LOSIGM?? 1 Let INSIDER SPORTS Make Ymu A Winnor!!! SMultipla Choices M Maltisie Ply V Garna natteed eSeicsct?!$ x Ctre Pticks CieNo Salsam It Me Cal Saub 0 InsIe lfuomatiem + 30 Yeas Experema - $$$ For Te Call I1-900-933-GOAL 25 1td $6p rcdiiNoprmbiNd walcirseror er sets up another for a kill. After the Minneapolis trip, the Wolverines travel a few hours south to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes. While Iowa was rated only ninth in the presea- son Big Ten coaches poll, the' Wolverines are very wary of tlO Hawkeyes and their star outside hitter, Jennifer Bell, the only senior on the team. "They moved (Bell) up front, trying to get her more involved this year;' Giovanazzi said. "We are looking to direct many of our sets toward her." During the preseason, Giovanazzi expressed concern about the confidence level of the Wolverines and was worried that their insecurity might carry into tl conference schedule. Those worries are of no relevance now, however, thanks to a sweep of Duke and North Carolina last weekend., "Last weekend was a perfect anti dote," Giovanazzi said. "We reverse4 what we did the first weekend of the seat son, and now our spirits are high and we are looking forward to the start of the Big Ten season." Unfortunately for the Wolverine junior outside hitter Karen Chase wi, not be starting her Big Ten season this weekend, due to a disc problem in her back. Chase was injured during the All= Sport Challenge three weeks ago. Chase "started practicing again Tuesday, but only lightly," Giovanazzi said. "We are keeping her home this weekend. but we hope to have on the bench for our home matches next week." Several Wolverines have shown th ability to pick up Chase's slack, led1 senior middle blocker Sarah Jackson, who is assured of having her own cheer- ing section against the Gophers. The middle blocker is a native of Alexandria, Minn Pick up -R Football SaturdaywY tomorrow on the * way to the game. U'S Records &U.sed d