S coreboard . League Championship Pittsburg at -Series NY RANGERS. inc. AMERICANMontealat Boston at NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA,ic inc. New Yok leads. 10 San Jose at C. NBA Sacramento at DETROIT inc. Charlotte at MINNESOTA, inc. Golden State at PORTLAND, inc. SP £TSgu &l Tracking 'M' teams The Michigan volleyball team plays host to Northwestern on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena. NHL Atlanta at NY ISLANDERS, inc. NASHVILLE, inc. Ottawa at PHOENIX, inc. Friday October 15, 1999 11 Hockey opens regular season home schedule Michigan to play Massachusetts-Lowell tonight in O'Malley's first start in goal By Stephanie Offen Daily Sports Writer Almost a week has passed since Michigan starting ooaltender Josh Blackburn's freak injury. UThe first stage of the injury was the initial shock. The next stage was anger, and now the third stage of reality has finally set in. W L1t's kind of starting to set in, Blackburn said. "I ikind of feel left out. I feel that I'm missing something." Last Saturday evening, Blackburn said that after a Party he tripped on a buckeye while carrying a refriger- ator in his residence. He is out indefinitely after tearing the ligament between the first and second toes on his left foot. Now the Wolverines are trying to put the events of t eek behind them and focus on this weekend's ' catchup against Massachusetts-Lowell with a new out- look and a new goalie. Michigan will return both senior captain Scan Peach and freshman Mike Cammalleri, who were out with injuries for last week's victory over Notre Dame. Sophomore Jeff Jillson also endured a groin injury this week, but Michigan coach Red Berenson said he will be ready for this weekend. But instead of Blackburn, sophomore Kevin O'Malley will probably get the starting nod in goal for the Wolverines. Junior goalie LJ Scarpace may also see playing time. O'Malley - who played in nine games last season - compiled a 0-1-0 record, with a .887 save percent- age. As Blackburn's best friend, O'Malley is excited about his new role for the team, but at the same time concerned about his teammate's well-being. "Last year is the first year I sat more then I playec" O'Malley said. "It's really unfortunate for Josh, and the only way I can make it better is going out and playing well." The Wolverines have acquired new goalie coach Stan Matwijiw to help with this process. Matwijiw was already scheduled to help the Wolverines before Blackburn's injury. "He's been great for me because we haven't had a new one for the last year," O'Malley said. "Even the lit- tlest things like keeping your glove it helps. ie just knocks those points in your head and he's always there to let you know whats going on." And now that Matwijiw has had a week to prepare O' Malley for his new role, O'Malley is ready and deter- mined to lead the team into the new millenium. But first the Wolverines will have to get past Massachusetts- Lowell this weekend. The River Hawks, a member of the Hockey East con- ference, come to Yost for the first time Friday night. Needless to say, Lowell is excited about their first chance to play in front of the Yost fans. Lowell is led by goaltender Scott Frankhouser, who has a 4.82 goal against average in his 32 games last sea- son. The River lawks also bring back they're top goal scorer, senior John Campbell. Campbell led the team with 11 goals and 36 points last season, and is one of 17 returning players. Berenson said the River Hawks remind him of a CCHA team, and he compares them to Ferris State. "They have a lot of good skaters," Berenson said. "They work hard and play well together." With a top goaltender and scorer returning, O'Malley has his work cut out for him this weekend. The fourth stage of Blackburn's injury is the come- back. But until then, it will be O'Malley's time on stage. DANA LINNANE/Daily Mark Kosick and the Michiganhockey team open their regular season home schedule tonight when they play host to Massachusetts-Lowell at Yost Ice Arena. 7 With wins soccer could clinch title .r r By Dan Dingerson Daily Sports Writer The Michigan soccer team has risen to the top of the Big Ten, and has two regular-season goals left to achieve _ an undefeated cam- paign and at least a share of the regular sea- son title. To achieve that, the Wolverines will have to win two road contests, against third place Minnesota on Friday and Wisconsin on Sunday. The Golden Gophers have clinched a spot in the Big Ten Tournament, as have the Wolverines and Penn State, while the Badgers are fighting for the eighth and final position. In the past, both teams have dominated Michigan. Minnesota is undefeated against Michigan and Wisconsin has won five out of seven meetings. Minnesota should be the biggest challenge for the Wolverines this weekend. The Gophers went 2-0-0 last weekend and have quickly moved up in the Big Tn standings quickly. In six home games this year, Minnesota is 5-1-(}, recording five shutouts. The Gophers are 4-0-0 with four shutouts in their Big Ten matchups. Goalkeepers Dana Larson and Julie Eibensteiner have split time in goal, and both have been effective. Despite the wall of defense that Minnesota has put up, Michigan coach Debbie Belkin has confidence in her forwards. "We have an attack that can score goals," Belkin said. "We need to find ways to stop them and handle their forwards, that is their strength." The strength of the Minnesota attack are forwards Nicole Lee and Laurie Seidl. They have combined to score half of the Gophers' goals this season. Michigan will try to counter the Gophers' attack with its aggressive forwards. The Wolverines are on pace to break the Big Ten record for shots per game - so far they aver- age 21.6 per game. Two Wolverines are on pace to break the single season shot record; both Emily Schmitt and Abby Crumpton are nearing teammate Amber Berendowsky's record of 63 shots. "Our offense has been really productive, but it is definitely a team approach," Belkin said. "Everyone has been contributing, and anyone can put points on the board, whether they come off the bench or are starting." The Wolverines' aggressive style has proven successful, pushing them to No. 14 in the NSCAA/Adidas national rankings, and second in the Great Lakes region. This comes as a result of six straight Big Ten wins, and a 9-1-1 record in their last eleven games. The only loss coming in a midweek game at Notre Dame. If the Wolverines can get by Minnesota, they will be positioned to finish the Big Ten season undefeated. Although Wisconsin has traditionally played Michigan well and started the season as one of the top ranked teams in the Big Ten, the Badgers have struggled to a 2-5-1 record in the conference. They are currently in ninth place in the Big Ten and are in danger of missing the Big Ten tournament. Wisconsin has only scored in one of its last four games, a 4-0 victory over Purdue. Despite its struggles in the Big Ten, the Badgers still find themselves over .500, and will have all weekend to prepare for the Wolverines. "Wisconsin is a very organized team," Belkin said. "They don't win big, but they know how to win. They are very well coached." With two victories, Michigan will achieve one of its goals, a Big Ten title. "It would be huge," Belkin said. "This has. been our goal for our couple of years now, and it has happened because of great senior leadership and because we have a very mature team. It would be a big deal for all of us." DAVID RDCHKIND/Daily Morle Spaccarotella is looking to help lead the Wolverines to their first-ever Big Ten regular season chpmpionship. They will head to Minnesota and Wisconsin this weekend. ate,; Women's Basketball Walk-On Tryouts Tuesday, October 19 7:00pm @ Crisler Bring proof of physical INDOOR SOCCER Fall II Season: Oct. 28th - Dec. 30th Now accepting Registrations for Fall II Leagues Registration Deadline: October 20th Individual Registrations are welcome Call (734) 913-4625 for Details WDEWORLD SPORTS CENTER ww wprs o REC SPORTS INTRAMURALS The University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM WHAT'S HAPPENING Intramural Flag Football Officials Needed" THE CATHOLICS OF OUR AREA ARE HAVING A SPECIAL CELEBRATION OF GOD'S MERCY IN PRAYER, DRAMA, AND MUSIC WE WILL RECALL THE NEED FOR FORGIVENESS IN OUR LIVES. IN PREACHING AND IN PERSONAL TESTIMONIES WE WILL BE REMINDED HOW THE GENEROUS LOVE OF GOD HAS CHANGED LIVES. A CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SERVICE. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AND TO BRING A FRIEND WITH YOU AS WE PREPARE FOR THE GREAT JUBILEE YEAR OF 2000. " No Experience " Necessary SPORTS SOfficials are INTRAMURAL'S Paid for All Games Worked Get a "-Shirt Fre Flexible gours Training Clinics Begin