The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 2, 2000 - 15k occer transition working is hoped ByNaweed Sikora (mbk, erd) Baily Sports Writer a.-For the Michigan men's soccer team, the transition from the club tevel to the varsity level has been pretty much on schedule. The season was a valuable learning experience that will htelp them ithe future. Michigan will wrap up its inaugural ular season at home this Saturday against Ohio State. Witht a win, the Wolverines could finisht the regular sea- son with a record of 2-4 in the Big Ten and 7-8 overall, which would be good ettough for fifth place in the conference. Although the season wasn't a fairy afe, the team did accomplish many of its initial season goals. 'One of our major goals was learning how to play at the varsity level," Bun id. "Varsity games are very physical and fast-paced. With our young team it took some time, but we hase learned to play at a higher level:' The other najor goal for the Wolverines was to get a solid victoty against a toregh opponent. Burns feels that Saturday's game against Ohio Stat BTT Continued from Page 12A Chavez (five goals, six assists) have to get untracked. Their speed causes problems for slower defenders, allowing midfielders like senior cap- tain Kacv Beitel and freshman Amber Wilson to find space in the middle. Beitel and Wilson like to mix it up in the box, giving Michigan a physical element to go along with Crumpton and Chavez's finesse. Scoring goals "is a focus issue, and a confidence issue," Crumpton said. "We can't worry about the, goalie catching the shot or about shooting it over the post." Although the Wolverines have been inconsistent at finishing chances, their goal-keeping has been solid all year. Freshman Suzie Grech has alternated in goal with Mtchigan's career saves leader sentor Catrissa Stewart. Grech's outstanding play has forced the platoon - she has posted three shutouts along with a 1.4 goals- against-average. "We've had good performances in goal this season," Rademacher said. "It's nice to feel comfortable about that position." Michigan's skill level has never been questioned this season. But, the Wolverines' youth has led to lapses in concentration during the long season. With the intense, single-elimina- tion nature of the Big Ten tourna- ment, the young Wolverines appear ready to take advantage of their final opportunity to earn an NCAA tour- nament bid. "We're a lot more focused," Crumpton said. "This is our last shot to get into NCAAs." SPARTANS Continued from Page 12A a Komisarek said. "It's like when ihe Winnipeg Jets had the 'white-out.' It's pretty amazing:' No word as to whether or not the Wolverines will don their famous tuize jerseys for the game. "That's a game-tine decision by the coach," Cammalleri said. "But f iknow last year we were maize also" for Maize Out. BLACKBURN UPDATE: Goalteader Josh Blackburn practiced for the Tirst time this week and reported no lin- gering effects after injuring his shoul- der in Saturday night's game. "It feels pretty good - like'brand new," Blackburn said. "We stretched it a lot. I think it was just a little thing, but we're just being cautious, I think." Michigan senior defenseman Steve Huber is a throwback from the club soccer days. So far, the transition to varsity has worked well, despite the less-than-stellar record. will be the perfect opportunity for his team to get that win. The 20th-ranked Buckeyes are cur- rently tied for fourth in the Big Ten with a record of 1-2-2 (8-4-4). Ohio State goalie Kerry Thompson leads the con- ference with seven shutouts and a 0.82 goals-against average. "They are another one of our big rivals," Michigan freshman Pat Tuohey said. "I believe it is going to be a tough, physical game." Although it has been a difficult sea- son, Burns and the players are very pleased with how well the team came together this year. "We developed a lot of team chem- istry this year," Burns said. "The mem- bers of the team, both young and old, all had a great deal of respect for each other." Tuohey saw improvement on the field as well. "For a first-year program, I think fin- ishing around .500 is pretty decent," Tuohey said. "I think we all came togeth- er really well this season. Because of that, our scoring has really improved" Looking ahead to next year, Burns has several ideas in mind to improve the team. He plans to use the upcoming recruiting class to strengthen his team's midfield. "Last year, we focused on improving the defense and the counter-attack," Burns said. "With this year's recruiting class, we're looking to put a midfield together with powerful players who can attack." THIS WEEKEND, IN Presented By: MICHIGAN ATHLETICS VOLLEYBALL; MENTS SOCCER: Fri., November 3rd Fri., November 3rd U-M vs. Purdue 7pm W% a\ U-M vs. Ohio State 1pm Sat., November 4th k0 Free Admission at Elbel Field U-M vs. Illinois 7pm Final lhme'game ofthe season. Join us as Home Matches at C/f/Kten Arena we neognIzet f/'2000 Michan ,tiet/ors. FIELD HOCKEY HCE Big Ten Tournament Sat., November 4th Nov. 3,4, 5 U-M vs. Michigan State 7:05pm Michigan Sat. Nov. 4th 11:30am U-M vs. The Family Inc. (exhibition) Sunday, November 5th 2pm *Wear Your Maize and Maize Out Yost Ice Arena!! Less than one-fourth (23%) of U.S. Catholics agree with the bishops' position that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances. - CBS/NtEw YORK TIMtEs tO L , JULY 2000 f Only 20% of Catholics believe that church leaders should have the final say regarding the morality of a Catholic advocating free choice regarding abortion. - NATIONAL CATI totuC Rtt'ERttER o , Ge. 1999 S * 53% of Catholics believe that you can be a good Catholic without obeying the church hierarchy's teaching on abortion. - NAIONAL CATH tOtt RtEPoRtEtR POLL' OC 1999 'y* Only 13% of the nation's 47,200 Catholic priests belong to Priests for Life. - MEMERsIt' INFORMAtK)N FROM PRIESTS FOR Littt * 96% of all Catholic women who have ever had sex have used modern contraceptive methods at some point in their lives. -1995 NnONAL SURvtY os FAMILY GROWTH, CENTERS toRz DIStASt CONTROL AND PRItEVEN KION * Less than 3% of sexually active Catholic women use church-approved family planning methods. -1995 Nvtt-IONAL SURvEY Oj. FAMILY Gizowtt, CEN ttts it DIs AStE CONT tROL AND PRIMS N I tON * 57% of Catholics say that contraceptives should be available to teens even if their parents don't approve. - 1998 (;tNEtRAL SeIAL SURvEs, NATIONAL OPINON RtStARC ItC EIN TER f Only 9% of U.S. Catholics feel so strongly about abortion that they would not vote for a political candidate who disagreed with their opinion. - CBS Nt 'a'S/N['w YORE t''MttS P11, MAY/JUNt 1996 * 77% of Catholics say that it is not appropriate for religious leaders to urge people to vote for a candidate because of his or her stand on abortion. - CBS N.wS/N:W YORK TIMES POLL, MAY/JUNt. 1996 * 79% of Catholics support U.S. aid programs for international family planning. - BEiLIEN RUSSONtLO & STEWARtI oLL, DE. 1998 ome to the1 where U-M stu both on- are presented and a Novem 2p Michigan 1 There will be refreshme We look forward to, U-M Housing a Off-Campus Housing 0.X XXX Aix,22 st Annual Housing Fair, sdents' housing options, -and off-campus, liscussed at one major eve ber 6,2000, m-6pm In the .eague Ballroo ents and give-aways so come enj seeing you at this special event. 'nd Of Campus Housing Staff nt. m oyi xng p F { 700 U esideme Halls l li' IG AK. -or turtner intormation contact: atnolics for a rre tUoice, 14sa u treet,N ins, ounine u Washington, DC 20009 (202) 986-6093 email: cffc@catholicsforchoice.org www.catholicsforchoice.org 'r: ; r 'r'1'2 '