SPORTS The Michigan Daily -- Wednesday, September 3, 1997 -- 7F New players lead women' s soccer New coach redirects- field hockey's goals -By Chris Farah Daily Sports Writer The Michigan women's soccer team Wpenenced a bit of role reversal during its 1996 season. The role reversal was one of age and experience - Michigan's star recruit- ing class of freshmen sparked the Wolverines (4-4-1 Big Ten, 10-7-3 overall) to many of their victories, lead- ing the way for some of the team's more experienced members. The 1996 freshman class consisted of nine new faces and was ranked as one f the top recruiting classes in the Iation by Soccer America. Headlining the group of recruits were Parade All- Americans Amber Berendowsky and Mari Hoff, two forwards who hail from the local area - Berendowsky from Brighton and Hoff from Canton. Michigan coach Debbie Belkin had high expectations for the freshmen at the beginning of the season. "This was one of the best years in the state of Michigan in terms of the num- ber of talented players coming out," Belkin said in August, before Michigan's first game. Michigan's top-three point scorers were all freshmen -- Berendowsky led the way with a team-record 19 points, followed by Hoff with 17 and forward Marie Spaccarotella with 14. The year saw many positive mile- stones for the Michigan women's soccer team, which began in 1994. The Wolverines had a seven-game winning streak, along with seven shutouts on the season, both new Michigan records. Jessica Jones was busy in the net with a new season high of 89 saves. Spaccarotella set the mark for goals scored in a single game, with three in Michigan's win over Valparaiso on Nov. 3. By Sharat Raju Daily Sports Writer Michigan field hockey coach Marcia Pankratz has had considerable success in her career. But her most challenging undertaking might have come last season, her first as head coach for the Wolverines. "I want to bring an elite international style of hockey to Michigan, along with an enthusiasm for the game, and a new level of commitment and success," Pankratz said early last season. Although the Wolverines finished sixth in the Big Ten (2-8 Big Ten, 7-1 1 overall), the season wasn't without excitement. On Oct. 27, Michigan upset No. 10 Ohio State, 3-2, at Ocker Field in Ann Arbor. In a close battle, the Wolverines broke a 2-2 tie when midfielder Selina Harris beat Ohio State goalkeeper Nikki Thompson to score the winning goal. The victory was Michigan's first con- ference win of the season. After having lost their three previous games, the victo- ry was critical for the Wolverines. 'It was a big game for us;' said Michigan junior Julie Flachs. "It's much better to end the weekend with a win:' Michigan didn't fare well in the post- season, talling in the first round of the conference tournament to Penn State, 4-1. The Wolverines had their share of dis- appointing contests - games which they came agonizingly close to winning. Several Wolverines had outstanding individual performances last season. But senior attacker Michelle Smulders topped them all. Smulders led the Wolverines in goals (17) and points (37) and was named to the Coaches Association All-America second team and the Midwest/West Regional All America first team. Five top high school players will be joining Pankratz in her sophomore cam- paign, in an effort to rebuild the program to where it was as recently as two seasons ago - the No. 16 ranking it held in 1995. MARGAtT MYERS/Daily Defender Vanessa Lewis moves the ball in a September game against the University of California-Berkeley. The match resulted in a 2-2 tie. Belkin said the Wolverines' success and youth in 1996 should translate to an improvement in the 1997 season - especially against younger programs. "Now we're becoming more experi- enced," Belkin said. "Obviously, the new players will have a year under their belt, and we'll have a handful of seniors. We'll just be a more experienced team." Michigan looks forward to another impressive recruiting class. Belkin said she has high expectations. "The difference is we don't have the numbers we had last year," Belkin said. "They have the capability to make an impact." 'M' harriers stumble in national finals off sidle 6C58-9329 Looking forahair- raising experience? By Jacob Wheeler Daily Sports Writer It was unfortunate for the Michigan men's cross coun- try team that it was unable to finish the season on a sweeter note than it did in the tt, hot desert sand. bb Instead, the college careers of I just seniors Scott MacDonald, Dave l arnett and Jeff Beuche ended MOVe upO at the national championships in Tucson, Ariz.e o The Wolverines were forced -.SC to run in 70 degree temperatures -en route to a 14th place finish Men's cross at nationals. Michigan was shooting for a spot in the top eight overall, and hoped to land two runners in the top 10. But John Mortimer and Scott MacDonald both faced C+ heat exhaustion, and ran their worst races of the season. After winning all but one race in the regular season, Mortimer fell to 116th at the championship. MacDonald finished 43rd in Tucson, his last race as a Wolverine. "I just couldn't move up at the end of the race," couldn't MacDonald said. "The heat and dry weather hindered me. I gn didn't have my muscles firing like I wanted them." o race. Mortimer and MacDonald worked as a team all season, ott MaCDon ald taking the Wolverines near the country runner top of the Big Ten and the District 5 Region. With the consistency of Mortimer and MacDonald a sure thing all season, Michigan coach Ron Warhurst was prompted to worry about other runners on the team: "The rest of our guys just need to run with the com- petition man-for-man because John and Scott will clean up in the front;" Warhurst said. "They should both finish in the top three." In this scenario, Michigan's fate was usually decided by the runners bringing up the rear. But Todd Snyder, Jay Cantin, Steve Lawrence, Beuche and Barnett didn't always fare well at crucial times. Often, the result was only one or two solid performances to accompany high finishes from Mortimer and MacDonald. But the lack of consistency through the top five or six spots in Michigan's lineup prevented the Wolverines from unseating perennial conference champion Wisconsin. Michigan lost MacDonald - its second best runner in '96 - when he graduated in May. But the loss is hoped to be mitigated by the return of two-time All- American Kevin Sullivan. Sullivan missed all of last fall due to an injury to his bursila. head to... Celebrating 59 years of service to the Ann Arbor community no waiting! no appointment needed! 6 barber-stlists M-F 8:30-5:20 Sat til 4:20 Women's volleyball has year of mixed success By Kevin Kasiborusi Daily Sports Writer To paraphrase an old saying, 'It's not *ow you play, but who you play.' At least that was the story of the 1996 Michigan volleyball team. Michigan played 13 matches in 1996 against top-25 opponents, and it lost 12 of them. Six times the Wolverines were victimized by teams in the Top 10. The Wolverines' lone win against a ranked team was an upset against No. 9 Wisconsin. The Wolverines finished with a 14-17 *verall record, 9-11 in the Big Ten confer- ence, putting them alone in sixth place. "Last season, the thing that sticks out more than anything else is the sched- ule," said Michigan volleyball coach Greg Giovanazzi. "We had some good performances by individuals, but I felt we never really played as a cohesive unit until November." One of the positive performances was by setter Linnea Mendoza, who will be a senior this fall. Mendoza set the school *ecord for assists in a match, tallying 95 in a win over Illinois on Nov. 29. Last season she also moved into first place on Michigan's career assist list. Other season highlights from '96 include Jeanine Szczesniak serving 15 straight points in a match against Eastern Michigan, a 3-1 loss to Ohio State, which was the Wolverines' first national TV appearance, and a four-match winning streak to close the season. In addition to Mendoza, the Wolverines will have four other starters back in 1997. Senior Sarah Jackson, an honorable mention All- Big Ten selection in '96, returns at middle blocker. Juniors Karen Chase and Szczesniak are back at the out- side hitter spots, and junior defensive specialist Chereena Tennis will again anchor the back row. "Our goal is to be in the NCAA play- offs," said Giovanazzi, who is preparing for his sixth season at Michigan. "Whether that means winning the Big Ten, or finishing second or third." The Wolverines begin fall practice Aug. 10. The University of Michigan MEN'S ROWING TEAM invites all MALE ATHLETES to compete for Michigan in the 1997-1998 season (no experience 1 necessary). Attend our Mass Meetings: Monday September 8, L-L-] 7-9pm in the Union Ballroom and Tuesday For immediate information call September 9, 7-9pm in the 313-998-0365. Kuenzel Room. t33 C al E 0 0 0 0 s 0 cz s- CU C) 9 m OWE Aerobics * Step Aerobics * Hip Hop * Water Aerobi c For your /lfness needs Sign up Mor classes wfih We offer more than 30 differenut classes! Over 50 time slots! Classes in Aquatics, Dance, and Exercise categories, plus Body Composition Analysis and Personal Training Register in Room 3050 CCRB 764-1342 (Central Campus Recreation Building-by the walkbridge) Promo Night September 4-Classes for $1 Fall classes begin September 8 New! Classes at NCRB (North Campus Rec. Bldg.) 'I 0. S ,) C, .. 3. *,t~ 09 9j9aQp sseul!_ , buiuiBjl qjtiueijS . Buiuijpjn6a l-i JQS Tor mmmmom..M--mj WJrAlmom . , r aa®7 a aaaw 1 Arni m ri a mI . - . -* t iUc