abe MkIdizm aiIt PORTS michigandaily.com/s orts sportsdesk@umich.edu FRIDAY OCTOBER 19, 2001 8.1 i Blue to play Broncos in Yost opener By J. Brady McCollough Daily Sports Writer With 11 minutes and 30 seconds remain- ing in last season's contest at Western Michigan, Michigan found itself in a bind, down 4-1. But that seemingly insurmount- able lead quickly disappeared, as the Wolverines stormed back with three unan- swered goals in the final minutes to tie the game. Also, in its two prior trips during the 1998-1999 season, the Wolverines couldn't find a way to steal a victory in the Broncos' Lawson Arena. Michigan squeaked out of the building with ties on both occasions. With three consecutive stalemates in Kalamazoo, the Wolverines know tonight's game against the Broncos will be nothing less than a dogfight. "It's going to be a war just like it was against Michigan State," sophomore defenseman Mike Komisarek said. "It will be a hostile environment. Their fans get really loud, and it's going to be a tough game for us." The Lawson Arena crowd is known throughout the CCHA as one of the loudest and most raucous. The Broncos have a dis- tinct advantage every time they step onto the ice. "It's very similar to what Michigan has down there at Yost," Western Michigan coach Jim Culhane said. "Our student body really comes out and supports the hockey program. One of the key factors in this weekend's games will be the performance of both spe- cial teams units. Western Michigan's power- play was one of the most explosive in the CCHA last season, as the Broncos featured the top-four scorers on the powerplay in the conference. Western Michigan lost two of those play- ers - seniors David Gove and Steve Rymsha - to graduation. But with last sea- son's CCHA scoring leader Mike Bishai returning along with sophomore Jeff Camp- bell, who led the conference in powerplay goals, the Broncos' powerplay shouldn't miss a beat. "I know their powerplay will be good again," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Bishai is a skilled player - smart, really good player, and Campbell is a sniper. He Rebound is Blue's main goal By Chris Burke Daily Sports Writer There's an old adage claiming that a wounded animal fights the hardest. So what happens when two wounded animals take on each other? That question will be answered on Sunday afternoon when the Michigan men's soccer team hosts Wisconsin in a battle of two teams trying This year, despite Wisconsin's tough start that has it tied for last in the Big Ten and without a conference victory, Michigan is approaching the game as another in which it isn't expected to come away with a win. "We have put a good deal of pressure on our- selves to beat stronger opponents," Burns said. "We are taking an 'underdog' approach to the final four games of the regular season. This has taken a weight off many players shoulders and should translate into a lighter approach to the games." to regroup. For Michigan, the drought began; win on Sept. 30 over Western Michigan. Since then, the Wolver- ines have posted a record of 0-3-1, dropping their overall record to 7-4- 1. Likewise the Badgers started the season strong, rolling to a 6-1 record. But since a Sept. 23 win over Texas Christian, Wisconsin has failed to nail down a victory its last five times on the field (0-4-1). With the Big Ten Tournament less than a month away, both teams after a 5-2 0 0 VASI T Y Who: Michigan ( Ten, 7-41 overal consin (0-2,6-5-1 When: 2:00 p.m Latest: The Wol( [to stop a 4-game streak as Wisco to Ann Arbor. It i "Senior Day" forl r LD 1-3 Big l) vs. Wis- -1) .Sunday lriflnasInnk The biggest area of concern for Michigan will be attempting to slow down Wisconsin forward Dominic DaPra. Last year, DaPra led the Big Ten in scoring, and time and time again, the success of DaPra has been mirrored by Wisconsin victo- ries. are in search of wins to get them back on track. "Our team has done a great job handling the highs and the lows of the season - a sign of a maturing team," Michigan coach Steve Burns said. "We approach every game with the inten- tion of winning." Last season, Wisconsin was among the teams that made Michigan's first season at the varsity level a struggle, handing the Wolverines a 4-1 loss. winless DaPra recorded three multi-point nsin comes games during Wisconsin's 5-0 start s also to the season. But in the last two Michigan. games against Penn State and Indi- ana, DaPra has been silenced by swarming defenses. The Badgers managed just one shot and no goals in those two games com- bined. "We will have our best marker on DaPra and force his teammates to make plays," Burns said. "Our defense is built on a marking back system, and therefore we will not change our defensive concept. Essentially, we try to make sure that the forwards from the other team feel a constant defensive pressure." ., ... t.: AL.YSSA WOOD/Daily Last year, senior goaltender Josh Blackburn gave up five goals In two games against Western Michigan. Michigan was able to pick up three points in those two games last year. scores a lot of goals on that powerplay. Those two will anchor that powerplay. They'll take some good point shots, and they'll be strong in front of the net." Unfortunately for Michigan, its penalty killing has left much to be desired thus far in the 2001-2002 campaign. The Wolverines have put themselves in awkward situations by being called for undisciplined penalties, and have been unable to keep opponents from exploiting the man advantage. Against Michigan State, all three of the Spartans' goals came with at least a one man advantage, and in last weekend's loss to Minnesota-Duluth, two of its three goals came off its powerplay. "Our penalty kill is going to have to deny shots," Berenson said. "We can't allow as many shots as we have been. We've got to give Blackburn more protection, and we've got to clear the puck out of the zone when we get it. We've got to keep them off bal- ance." When the Wolverines return to Yost Ice Arena tomorrow night against the Broncos, it will be the first regular season game for the freshmen in their limited time as Wolverines. "Come (tomorrow) those guys are going to be loving it," junior forward Mike Cam- malleri said. "The adrenaline is going to be pumping, and they're going to be flying around making big hits." "We're all fired up to actually pack this house,"' freshman forward Eric Nystrom said. "We're going to feed off the crowd and it's going to be a great night" KALAMAZOO, ANN ARBOR Who: Michigan (0-0-1 CCHA,.1-1-1 overall) vs. Western Michigan (1-1, 1-1) When: 7:05 p.m. tonight,.7:05 p.m. tomarrow night Latest: The Wolverines head into a hostile environment in an attempt to regroup from last week's loss to M- nesota-Duluth. The teams will complete the home-and- home series on Saturday in Ann Arbor. Midfielders Tom Gritter (right) and Robert Wurth are a big reason for Michigan's 6-2 Big Ten start. 'M' aims for Head of the Charles F ~. LS The University of Michigan WHAT'S SREC Department of Recreational Sports HAPPENING INTRAbMURALS INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAM WALLYBALL FLAG FOOTBALL ENTRIES TAKEN: ENTRIES TAKEN: Monday 10/22 ONLY ,Monday 10/22 ONLY 11:00AM to 5:30 PM 11:00AM to 5:30PM,IMSB ENTRY FEE: ENTRY FEE: $50 per team $78 per team MANAGER'SMEETING: MANAGER'S MEETING: MANDATORY MANDATORY Weds 10/24, 7:15 PM, IMSB Weds 10/24,6 & 9 PM, IMSB PLAY BEGINS: PLAY BEGINS: Thurs10/25 Thurs 10/25 IMSB Mitchell Fields WRESTLING PRE -SEASON BASKE TBALL ENTRY DEADLINE: Mon 11/26,4:30 PM, IMSB ENTRIES DUE: ENR FE Mon 12/3 to Weds 12/5 ENTRY FEE: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, IMSB $5 per individual ENTRY FEE: MANAGER'S MEETING: $35 per team MANDATORY MANAGER'S MEETING Thurs 11/29, 6:00 PM, IMSB MANDATORY TOURNAMENT DATES: Thurs 12/6, 6:00 PM, IMSB Tues-Thurs 12/4-12/6, IMSB TOURNAMENT DATES: Sports Coliseum Sat 12/8 & Sun 12/9, IMSB The IMSB will be closed for THANKSGMNG BREAK beginning at 5:00pm Wednesday 11/21; and, continuing through Sunday 11/25. By Melanie Kebler Daily Sports Writer On the Charles River in Boston this weekend, the Michigan rowing team will be one of many nationally ranked teams competing in the prestigious Head of the Charles regatta. The Wolverines received an automatic bid this year due to their impressive times last year. On Sun- day, the team will once again get a chance to compete against top teams such as Brown, Princeton and the U.S. Rowing team. "It's a very chaotic race," head coach Mark Rothstein said. "There could be 300,000 people standing along the banks watching." The Head of the Charles - founded in 1965 - is the world's largest two-day rowing event and can draw as many as 5,400 athletes to compete in 21 events. The for- mat of the three-mile race is some- what disorienting. Boats start 15 seconds apart and race against the clock, instead of against each other. Michigan will be looking to repeat its strong performance from last year and gain some experience against other strong teams. "We want to see where we stand versus other top teams in the coun- try," Rothstein said. "We've got a great senior class and it's a team with a lot of character and work ethic. Also, our freshman are doing great. I think they are clearly going to have a big impact this year." Last year at the Head of the Charles, the varsity eight boat placed fourth out of 57 boats in the women's championship eight race. The varsity four boat finished sixth BOSTON, MASS. Who: Michigan, Brown and others When: Sunday; 3:00 Championship Fours, 4:00 Championship Eights Latest: The Wolverines hope to race against teams they will see in postseason action in their first big test of the season. overall in a 28-boat field. The team went on to win the Big Ten champi- onship and place fifth at the NCAA Championships. Although this weekend's race is important and the team wants to row well, Rothstein says that results from fall competition don't make or break the season. Right now, the team is concen- trating on improving team chem- istry and getting in shape for the spring. "Spring is really our season. We use the fall to develop a training base, and we don't go into fall races as goal-oriented as we do for spring races," Rothstein said. "You can't read too much into the results. But atathe same time, we want to go there and compete." The team has a chance to repeat last year's success at the Head of the Charles.- the first real test of the fall season - and begin its year on a positive note. If nothing else, the Wolverines will get a good measure of themselves against teams that they may face later at the NCAA Championships in May. i The University of Michigan Department of Dermatology is currently offering