M' takes out Schoolcraft, 2-0 The Michigan Daily -- SportsMonday - September 11, 2000-9B By David Mosse Daily Sports Writer In soccer's version of the Mud Bowl, the Michigan men's team notched its third victory in four games with a 2-0 blanking of Schooleraft Community College at Elbel Field yesterday. A driving rainstorm limited the pace of the game and forced both teams to resort to long balls. The Wolverines adjusted better to the treacherous con- ditions and, behind goals from Ian Hirschfield and Kevin Robinson, came away with a hard-earned win. TFrom the start Michigan controlled the action. Four minutes into the game forward Andrew Balazer fired a long- range shot, forcing a save from Schoolcraft goalkeeper Erich Shewsbury. Moments later midfielder _Mike White's blast sailed over the crossbar. ' The early pressure paid off as Michigan got on the board after I1 minutes. Schoolcraft defender Tom 'Stark was called for a push inside the box, much to the dismay of head coach Van Dimitriou, who argued the call. Hlirschfield coolly slotted home the penalty kick for a 1-0 lead. Usually KT (Kevin Tavlor) takes them but le is hurt."H irschfield said. "So I just stepped up there and took it." ' Minutes later the Wolverines nearly increased their lead as forward Robert Turpin broke free from the defense only to have his left-footed shot saved by Shewsbury. In the dying minutes of the first half, Hirschfield almost scored his second Wal, when his low shot forced another acrobatic save from Shewsbury The freshman midfielder from Fort 'Lauderdale; Fla., tormented the 'Schoolcraft defense all afternoon with A week of firsts In its first year as a varsity sport, the Michigan men's soccer team will leave a lasting legacy. for all future teams to follow. Here are some pro- gram firsts after its historic week. Shot: Ian Hirschfield, vs. DePaul Goal: Ian Hirschfield, vs. DePaul (on first shot) Corner kick: Will Purdy, vs. DePaul Save: Albert Geldres, vs. DePaul Penalty kick: Kevin Taylor, vs. Cleveland State Freshman midfloIder Ian Hirschfield fouid the back of the DePaul net to repofI Michigan's first o9I and shot before his subsequent celebration with4he soccer pep band- NORMAN NG/Daily Overtime win: Sept. 5 vs. Cleveland State Gratuitous celebration in front of soccer pep band: Ian Hirschfield, vs. DePaul (after first goal, on first shot) British coach to compare referees to "Keystone Cops": Pete Curtis, Cleveland State Nico spells defeat for booters BRAD QUINN/Day I Andrew Balazer of Michigan dribbles past Schoolcraft's Kevin Callender during the Wolverines' 2-0 victory over the Ocelots. The win brought Michigan's record to 3-1. his darting runs and precision passing. "I saw lan play in a game like this when I recruited him;' said Michigan coach Steve Burns. "Even though he is a Florida boy, he can play in cool weather and he did a great job." The second half was much-of the same as Michigan went on the attack. In the opening minutes midfieldcr Ton Gritter's shot was deflected just wide of the net and a header from Hirschfield was saved. As Schoolcraft pushed forward in search of the wying goal. the Wolverines enjoyed more room to launch their counterattacks. Midway through the second hal 'a perfect long ball from Matt Murch found Robinson, who blew past two defenders and beat Shewsburv for his second goal of the season. "Robinson is great at recognizing open spaces and slotting other play- elrs." Burns said. Late in the game Michigan had two more chances to up their lead. Fullback Brian Peters sent a left-footed rocket inches vidc of the post and moments later White's free kick hit off the crossbar. But two goals was more than enough as the Michigan defense, led by senior Steve H-uber. completely sti- fled Schoolcraft's attack. Michigan goalkeeper Pat Murphy was rarely test- ed. "It w as a kickball eame ' Burns said. "Under these conditions a more skilled team loses its advantage and we arc the more skilled team. So 2-0 was By David Horn Dmily Sports Writer 'fTle name of the game for the Michigan nen's soccer team this past Friday was Nico. Loyola sophomore Nico Tricoci played Michael Jordan to the Michigan booters' New York Knicks, feasting on their defense with three gzoals in Loyola's 3-2 win over the Wolverines. The loss to the Amblers was the first of Michigan's inaugural season. Tricoci scored at the 13:36 mark in the first half on an assist from junior Chris Gradilla. In the second half Tricoci completed the hat trick with two goals within seven minutes, both on assists from sophomore Adam Hitchman. Michigan's first tally came cour- tesv of freshman Kevin Robinson on an assist from Ryan Yoder. The sec- ond Michigan goal came at the 64:43 mark in the second half. That goal was the first in the voung career of captain Jack Stead. The weekend was salvaged, how- ever, with a 2-0 win at home yester- day against Schoolcraft College. The inexperienced Wolverines now own a 3-Irecord, although that mav be misleading. Schoolcraft is a community col- lege, and is a former opponent of Michigan - from the days of club soccer. They will most likely never appear on Michigan's schedule again. "This was a one-time thing with Schoolcraft," Michigan coach Steve Burns said. The Wolverines are now preparing for the more challenging part of their schedule, including a visit from Big Ten foe Penn State on Sept. 23. Michigan hopes for conditions against the Nittany Lions compara- ble to those it saw this weekend -- cold and overwhelmingly wet. "Any timie you get into a situation like this, with the rain, the better team loses its advantage." Brrns said. The intensity of the Wolvctines' schedule doesn't leave thdrif a tremendous amount of tii- in between games to practice. ThV'are essentially playing three ganMes a week until the season ends i'ti"'the beginning of November. But"there are improvements that need "f' be made, particularly on defense "We want to work harder dri our high-pressure defending," lBirns said. "Being able to press lhai in there and force them to play-uiider tight conditions. We've addessed our "hippo" - our low-pressure defending - but we've also-got to be able to play our high-pressure game. "You have to pick the gIght moments to do it, and it's a ling process with this team. It regqrs a lot of communication. and wQ||||tak- ing it game by game." 4~ WELCOME BACK, WOLVERINES! It's not too soon to start thinking about life after the University of Michigan. If you are a Finance, Marketing or Sales major and are interested in the travel industry, check out American Airlines! 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