The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 11, 1998 - 13A Old number, new player yield winning results for stickers By BJ. Luria Daily Sports Wther Yesterday's field hockey game between Michigan and Southwest Missouri State displayed many similarities to games played last year. Once again, the *lverines pulled out a close victory with the game-winning goal scored by No. 14. Last year, No. 14 scored 10 game-win- ners among her 29 goals. There is one distinct difference between last year and this year- No. 14 is worn by a new play- er. Julie Flachs - Michigan's all-time leading scorer - wore jersey No. 14 last year, but the uniform belongs to Michigan freshman Jesse Veith this sea- son. And the freshman forward is picking right where her predecessor left off. Michigan (3-1) used the strong goal- tending of sophomore Kati Oakes to pro- tect its lead and hold off the Lady Bears (2-2), 1-0. The only goal of the game came off Veith's stick with 13:30 remain- ing in the first half. The Wolverines used quick passes to move the ball to the Lady Bears' end of the field. Lindsjy Babbitt controlled the ball just itide The circle and made the pass to Venh in front of the net. Veith's rocket beat Sathwest Missouri State goalkeeper T Mnnie Elzy to give Michigan the (vily goal that it would need. "It feels good, real good," Veith said. "The first goal is always the breaker and then after that, tiey just come." Despite the victory, Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz was not particularly pleased wth Ahe Wolverines' perfor- mance against *a team that they shel- lacked, 7-Qi, last season. She noted that Michigan had trouble putting the ball in the net. There were sev- eral factors tiat contributed to the Wolverines' difficulties, she said. "It's been a lomg couple of weeks and I, think matally, we're a little tired," Pankratz said. "Sometimes you get a little weary, especially with all the other stuff going on." The Lady Bears almost tied the score in the second half. Two Southwest Missouri State players got in behind the Michigan defenders and broke in alone on Oakes. Jemima Cameron drew Oakes out of the net and Oakes dove at the ball. Cameron then sent a pass over to Mary Kukulinski who was all alone in front of the empty net. Kukulinski could not han- dle the pass, though, and the ball rolled away, allowing the Michigan defenders to return to the play. The scoring opportunities were few and far between for the Lady Bears, who managed just five shots to 22 for the Wolverines. Michigan converted on none of its I1 penalty corner opportunities. Pankratz blamed several factors for the Wolverines' offensive difficulties. "It's just like in football, it takes longer to develop the attack," Pankratz said. "It'll take a couple games to get into a groove." Although Michigan had some trouble on the offensive end of the field, Pankratz did give much of the credit for the close game to Southwest Missouri State. "Their goalkeeper played outstanding. If it wasn't for her, we might have had a bigger score," Pankratz said. "They worked hard, they were scrappy, and they beat us to the ball. They won a lot of the 50-50 balls, which makes a big differ- ence." Next up for Michigan is Central Michigan (3-1), which visits Ocker Field today. The Chippewas, who play in the Mid-American Conference, have won three straight games after dropping their opener to Michigan State. "They are a very experienced group - they have a lot of upperclassmen," Pankratz said. "They certainly are a strong team, one of the better teams in the MAC." The Wolverines will finish up the homestand with a game against Stanford on Sunday. But for now, they arejust hop- ing that old reliable No. 14 can help them defeat the Chippewas today. "It's an intrastate rivalry," Pankratz said, "so it'll be a battle.' FILE PHOTO The Michigan field hockey team dominated action yesterday against Southwest Missouri State, outshooting the Bears 22-5 in a 1-0 victory. $ampras, Rafter to renew battle at Open ..wrrr i w1 ew rwrr ww I e ..w wwl " Il rwlrlwwrrrrie r for Waxin& skI CareNfee <~S:17nne qiiitgs3 NEW YORK (AP) - Pete Sampras stands on the cusp of history at the U.S. Open. Patrick Rafter, the defend- ing champion, stands in his way. In what promises to be the showcase ch of a tame tournament that so far I provided few surprises or dramatic battles, Sampras and Rafter meet in a men's semifinal that will have the feel of a final. The last 1 I days have seemed little more than a setup for Saturday's match, which features two of the best serve-and-volleyers pf their genera- tion. It pits the hottest players in men's tennis against each other. *nd it could provide revenge for Sampras - not only against an oppo- nent who defeated him a month ago in Cincinnati, but also against critics who had written him off as an over-the-hill champion. "It's time, this is the U.S. Open, this is the big moment of the year for me," Sampras said. "This is what the year boils down to for me." Sampras, who will remain No. 1 in tworld no matter what happens the iO of this tournament, has not lost in a Grand Slam semifinal since 1996 at Wimbledon. Rafter had lost eight straight times to Sampras bef(Dre beating him in the final of an ATP Tour event in Cincinnati in amid-August, a match that ended with a disputed call. Rafter's serve was called out, but the umpire overrulled the 'call to give Rafter the ace amd the match. Sampras stood at the baseline for several seconds,, making the victorious Rafter wait at tie net, and then refused to shake the umpire's hand. Rafter said thiat win will change his attitude headinginto tomorrow's semi- final. "I won't go on the court feeling as intimidated as F had before," he said. "But Pete is a different kettle of fish altogether. I had a great win last year. He's done it for the last six years." Rafter, whose speed will be pitted against Sampras' power, had to rally from a two-set deficit in the first round of this year's U.S. Open against Hicham Arazi. Since then, he's dropped just one set in four matches. Rafter a tryig to become the sixth man of the Open Era to successfully defend a US. Open singles title. That's an accomrdishient that would impress even Sampras. CLOSE TO CAMPUS PLENTY OF FREE PARKING To make an appoixnmnt call: 913=555'7 Services will be discounted 15% with this ad. 6N AROR HiEus HAIR & BODY SALON * 2295S. STATE ST. I- I m AP PHOTO Pete Sampras is used to winning Grand Slams. Patrick Rafter won the U.S. Open last year. Sampras and Rafter are set to collide tomorrow in the semifinals. 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