The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - November 2, 1998 - 78 Berendowsky punches Blue past Kentucky By Vaughn R. Kiug Daily Sports Writer Two days after suffering a humbling loss to No. 19 Brigham Young, Amber Berendowsky scored a game-winning goal with just five seconds remaining to push the No. 20 Michigan soccer team past Kentucky in the season finale. Yesterday's victory was especially gratifying for the seniors playing their last game on Michigan Soccer Field. "When I saw Amber's goal I almost cried," senior Vanessa Lewis said. "It was really important for the morale of this team because it starts the momen- tum for the Big Ten tournament and picks us up from Friday's loss." While Michigan dominated Kentucky during the majority of the game, the Wolverines were unable to capitalize on several promising offensive drives. Michigan even sent three shots past the Wildcat goalkeeper, only to watch them bounce off the goal post. "We had a lot of opportunities in the game," Michigan coach Debbie Belkin said. "I was hoping that sooner or later one of our shots would go in." As the final seconds of the second half ticked away and with overtime seeming virtually inevitable, Berendowsky dribbled across midfield and fired an unassisted shot into the upper left corner of the net to break the 89-minute tie. "I was beginning to prepare for over- time when Amber scored," Belkin said. "But I always tell my players not to give up. I like to remind them to make things happen whether there is one second or twenty minutes left in the game." Following the goal, the team huddled around Berendowsky to celebrate the dramatic finish and the victory. "Scoring that goal was a great feel- ing," Berendowsky said. "Our big goal was winning the last game for the seniors and ending the season right" As for Friday's matchup with Brigham Young the 2-0 defeat marked Michigan's second consecutive shutout loss at the hands of a ranked opponent and lowered the Wolverines record ver- sus top 25 competition to 1-3-1. The Cougars took control of the game early as standout forward Shaunna Rohbeck found the back of the net at the 14:29 mark, thanks to an assist from Karen Robbins. "They were pretty quick," Lewis said. "They were definitely one of the fastest teams we have played against this season." Only 15 minutes later, Brigham Young struck again when Staci Reynolds notched an unassisted goal that brought the lead to 2-0, a margin that lasted the remainder of the game. Upon allowing the second goal, it became evident that Michigan was not playing with the level of team solidarity that has led to victory in the past. "We had a hard time working as a unit today," Lewis said. "It was not their defense that held us back, it was us." "Coach Belkin pointed out at half- time that we looked like a different team than we did against Notre Dame." Enduring the two goals for the Wolverines, yet turning away nine shots on goal in the process, was senior co- captain Jessica Jones, who echoed the sentiments of Lewis in explaining Michigan's shortcomings at the hands of the Cougars. "I was not expecting the kind of quickness I encountered," Jones said. "Our team shape held us down. We just did not have the intensity we needed.' The bottom line was the fact that Michigan could not stop the Brigham Young forwards, Rohbeck and Robbins. "They were said to have two of the best forwards in the country," Belkin said. "And they just proved it." Laurie Peterson and the Wolverines lost to ing Kentucky in yesterday's season finale. STICKERS Continued from Page lB ut none could beat the Iowa goal- reeper. It was a sad day for the seniors playing for the last time at Ocker Field. The seniors all were emotional after the game. Even in defeat, Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz could only praise her departing leaders. "They lead by example, they work hard in everything they do,"she said. "They will bounce back, they re competitors, and they are suc- Messfiul." The weekend was not completely full of despair for the Wolverines. Michigan had the opportunity to win the Big Ten yesterday only because of its win on Friday against Northwestern. Although the Wildcats have had a terrible season, they were not ready to lie down for the Wolverines, and ught to a 1-0 loss. Philbrook scored the lone Michigan goal with 11:07 remaining in the first half. She was assisted by fellow senior captain Wilkinson. It seemed fitting that the two senior captains scored the final Michigan goal at Ocker Field for the season - despite the fact that it happened in the second-to-last game. Goalkeeper Kati Oakes recorded another shutout by making three ves, leaving her one short of the single-season record for shutouts. The result of the weekend is a dis- appointed Michigan field hockey team. The Big Ten championship was one of the major goals for the team this year. But the players and coaches think that the team will be ready to go for the Big Ten tournament, and that the ss will not hurt them that much. "'Don't get too excited about a win, but don't be devastated by a loss.' We've said that all year, and the team has been good about it," Pankratz said. DANA LINNANE/Daily Brigham Young on Friday, before beat- Last game at Ocker disappoints By Jason Emeott Daily Sports Writer Sometimes, things just don't go as planned. If everything worked out the way it should have, there would have been a celebration at Ocker Field yes- terday. Instead, there were tears. It was all set up for the perfect end- ing. The Michigan field hockey team entered yesterday's contest with Iowa tied with Penn State at the top of the Big Ten standings at 7-2. To repeat as conference champions, the Wolverines just had to beat Iowa. It was going to be great - the final game of the regular season, at home, Big Ten champs, Senior Day ... Senior Day. The stage was set per- fectly for Lindsay Babbitt, Erika Lorenson, Amy Philbrook and Loveita Wilkinson - the four Michigan seniors. They had worked for four years, and in the final game they would ever play at Michigan they had the opportunity to win the Big Ten championship. These were the women that helped rescue Michigan field hockey from years of mediocrity. Things were sup- posed to go their way. After an average freshman year, they got a new coach in Marcia Pankratz and struggled through the growing pains with a 2-8 conference record. But they grew with the new system, and brought home a Big Ten championship in 1997. In 1998, they led their team to a No. 9 national rank- ing and another opportunity for the conference crown. Along the way, the seniors broke new ground in the program. They gained national respect and even broke a 31- game losing streak against Iowa last season. Not only did they break the losing streak, but they beat Iowa three times in a row. Michigan swept last season's series with the Hawkeyes, and proceeded to shut them out, 2-0, in Iowa City earlier this season. DANA IINNANE/Daily Courtney Reid's Michigan team beat Northwestern, but lost yesterday to Iowa and fell out of a tie for first place in the Big Ten. In the end, it was Iowa that came back to ruin Senior Day. The Hawkeyes beat Michigan 3-0 and ended the Wolverines' conference title hopes. The Michigan seniors that had done so much for the program had to leave Ocker Field for the last time knowing the Big Ten championship had slipped through their fingers. Coach Pankratz looked beyond the loss and expressed the importance of the four seniors to her program. "They play with a lot of heart," Pankratz said. "They lead by example in everything they do, on the field and in the classroom. Great class and char- acter - they're going to be successful in whatever they do." After yesterday's tough loss, Pankratz said she's looking for her seniors to lead the squad in the Big Te n tournament next week. "This was not how it was scripted, but that's sport," Pankratz said. "That's the name of the game. They're com- petitors, they're successful. They bounce back." Senior co-captain Loveita Wilkinson reflected on how Michigan field hockey has changed her life over the past four years. "This team has meant everything to me. I wouldn't trade it for anything," Wilkinson said. Wilkinson said she's learned a lot as a Michigan field hockey player, and she knows her team will be back. "If you can't take a positive from a loss, there's no point in playing," Wilkinson said. "We're definitely going to bounce back. We always come back hard - always." I_ I;' ash * Election coverage in the Daily. Look for it on *Wednesday. * /Fitness Program University of Michigan Kinesiology Wednesdays, 8:00pm - 9:00 pm, 3275 CCRB November 4 - December 2, 1998 course fee: $18.00 per person Beginning Level Partner Recommended but not Required MAom Swing Dancing auaSse to be offred in Winter 19991 (times/days to be announced) U-Move Office 3060 CCRB + 764-1342 + 7:30 am-4:30 pm POLO GREiAT CALVIN BRAND KLEIN STUDENT DISCOUNTS ON EYE EXAM N HOURS MON-TUFIS-THU-FRi 9 5 3 RChtrifSOn' S WED &AT 9-1 tical 320 S. STATE ST. (LOWER LEVEL OF DECKER DRUGS 662-1945 ....m. I I Are you feeling sad or blue? Medication free women suffering from depression between the anal f I R -Mfl rp n~n,4iad fnir iers It 'A....} i i