8B - The Michigan Daily - SPORTSMonday - October 13, 1997 'M' soccer cruises in two blowouts Belkin keeps the goal in mind, long-term By Andy Latack Daily Sports Writer Attack of the Killer B's. If the Michigan soccer team's impressive victories this weekend were to be made into a cheesy horror movie, that would likely be the title. Michigan forwards Amber Berendowsky and Kacy Beitel, the team's leading scorers, turned in big weekends as the Wolverines posted consecutive shutouts against non- conference opponents. Michigan stung Wright State, 6-0, on Friday, a game that was dominated by the Wolverines' powerful offense. Berendowsky and Beitel netted two goals each as the Michigan offense blasted shot after shot at the over- matched Wright State defense. Michigan was equally masterful on offense against Toledo, blanking the Rockets, 5-0. Berendowsky and Beitel again emerged as the scoring leaders along with senior captain Debbie Flaherty. They all notched a goal and an assist in the blowout. The successful weekend served as a timely tune-up for the three Big Ten games remaining on Michigan's schedule, all of which the Wolverines need to win if they want to contend for the regular-season title. "We just wanted to get back on track after last weekend," Michigan coach Debbie Belkin said, referring to last week's loss to Minnesota and tie with Penn State. "We wanted to re-establish scoring some goals," she said, "and we accomplished that." Senior Ruth Poulin, who added two goals and an assist on the weekend, said that the large victory margin was important for the team. "The goal was to score five (goals against Wright State), because we didn't score much the previous week- end," Poulin said. "We met that goal and scored six. If we would have won, 3-0, it wouldn't have been that much of a success." If scoring goals was the plan, Michigan must be happy with its offensive performance over the week- end. The Wolverines outshot their opponents, 47-11, and Michigan goalkeepers Carissa Stewart, Jessica Jones and Lauren Clister made a total of two saves on the weekend. Berendowsky continued her scor- ing tear on the season, raising her point total to 36. Beitel, with nine goals, has 22, points on the year, eclipsing Berendowsky's school record for 19 points in a season by a freshman. On her second goal against the Raiders, which came just two min- utes into the second half, Beitel drib- bled through most of the Wright State defense single-handedly before launching a shot from 15 feet, beat- ing Wright State goalie Amy Toms. "The goalie was out of position, covering the near post," Beitel said. "The far post was wide open, and I just slid it past her." The freshman also recorded her fourth assist of the year against Toledo, setting up Berendowsky's 12th goal of the year in the first half. Berendowsky's success has been constant the entire season, scoring 12 points in the team's first five games. She has continued the torrid pace throughout the season, averaging 2.6 points per game. This success may have allowed Beitel to take advantage of oppo- nents' attempts to stop Berendowsky. "The teams that get the scouting reports play Amber differently," By Jacob R. Wheeler Coaches put a lot of responsibility in the hands of their goalkeepers. Soccer matches are usually low-scoring affairs, so the keeper controls the fate of victo- ry every time the opposing team mounts drive. But on the Michigan women's soccer team, that pressure has fallen in the hands of two different players. Though the season is nearly two-thirds over, neither player has won the important keeper's job. Obviously, Michigan seeks a victory every time out. But coach Debbie Belkin is also thinking about her team's future. Belkin has been platooning Michigan's top two goalies, junior Jessica Jones and freshman Carissa Stewart, all season. Despite Jones's seniority, the coach said she sees this as an opportunity to give Stewart some added experience that will help her after Jones graduates. "Carissa and Jessica are splitting time right now as starters," Belkin said. "You always want your goalkeepers to have experience in big games. You don't want to just play one and have her get hurt, then no one has experience." Belkin proved her commitment to the platooning strategy, starting Stewart against Penn State and Wright State last week, even after the freshman missed five of the previous six matches due to sickness. Stewart, the heir apparent, recorded four wins and three shutouts during that span. Jones received the nod at the begin- ning of this season, starting Michigan's first three games of the season in goal, against Missouri, Kentucky and Massachusetts. But Stewart cracked the starting line- up less than a week after the Wolverines suffered their first setback of the sea- son, a 2-1 heartbreaker to the Minutemen. The freshman opened her Michigan career with a bang, recording a shutout in her college debut - a 6-0 victory over New Hampshire on Sep 10. Two days later, Stewart spark leW again, recording eight saves in a 2-1 overtime victory over Butler. Thus far, Stewart has amassed some impressive statistics - especially for a freshman. Stewart carries a 4-0-1 record this season, with 24 saves. Of the five games she's started, three shutouts were recorded. Jones has totaled some pretty decent numbers herself. The captain owns a 2 record, saving 34 shots in six game. . She had the dubious honor of standing in front of the goal mouth when Minnesota beat Michigan on Oct. 3. Minnesota's game-winning tally in the second overtime all but ruined Michigan's hopes of a conference championship. Jones' 1.22 goals-per-game average is significantly higher than Stewart's 0.4 mark. But both figures are lo enough for success because Michigan 3 high-powered offense generates an average of 3.54 goals per game. "When we get one goal, we can get another and another," Belkin said. "So it just takes a little." With the Big Ten tournament and the postseason rapidly approaching, all eyes are focused on the goalkeepers, wondering who will get the starting nod. Whomever Belkin picks will b counted on to lead the Wolverines their first Big Ten championship. Michigan remains in the hunt, current- ly residing in third place. "We'll make a decision on who's going to play in the tournament when we get to that point," Bel]kin said. "They both have different strengths right now and they both do well in certain situa- tions." Men's golP get rdy for trip to K~EVIN KRlJPITZER/Daily The Michigan soccer team had a big weekend, winning, 6-0, on Friday against Wright State, and, 5-0, on Sunday, against Toledo. Poulin said. "If she's covered, we can't get her the ball as much and need to move it around." In the past four games, Beitel has scored four goals on 12 shots, both team highs. "We can spread the ball around," Belkin said. "If opponents are going to focus on one person, we'll find someone else to do it." As they enter the final portion of their schedule, the Wolverines appear to be hitting their stride. They are scoring goals and playing a stingy defense that allows few. Poised to make a run at the conference title, games against Illinois and Iowa next weekend loom large on the upcoming schedule. "We stepped up and refocused this weekend," Berendowsky said. "We're ready for next week." I We're really into cars. In fact, we're in most of them. 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Fresh off a strong fifth-place finish at the 17-team NortheriW Intercollegiate in East Lansing, the team resumes its fall schedule at the 1997 Kroger Intercollegiate Invitational, held today and tomor- row at the Colonial Country Club in Memphis, Tenn. A sprawling par 72, 7,300-yard golf course, the Colonial is host to an 18-team field split between nine northern schools and nine southern schools that will com- pete for both regional and overa, honors. Michigan finished first among northern teams at last year's event and fourth overall but returns just one member from last year's squad: - sophomore Mike Harris. Nevertheless, Michigan golf coach Jim Carras expressed confidence that his young team could duplicate previ- ous successes. "If we can get some better numbers from our four and five spots, and our first three players keep playing like they have been, we will be very com- petitive," Carras said. "We're up against a strong, competitive field, but I'm looking to finish among the top six teams. A lot of positives came out of East Lansing and hopefully some of that momentum will carry over." Coming off his seventh-place fin 1 ish at the Northern Collegiate, KevirW Vernick and his 72.5 stroke average will lead the Wolverines in Memphis. Vernick topped the team in East Lansing with a one-over-par 217. Out of 85 golfers, Harris finished tied for 11th at 218, and Keith Hinton scored a 221 to tie for 15th place. While Scott Hayes returns at the fourth slot, sophomore Mike Affelt will make his varsity debut it Memphis. Carras hopes Affelt can shore up a shaky fifth spot that has roughed up three different players in three tournaments. "Mike's been playing real well recently and deserves this opportuni- ty," Carras said. "We're still at the stage of trying to find out what kind I I 16A.,0 p99 -