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Wednesday, September 5, 2001- The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - 3E
Giving 'em the boot
Tourney-
tested Blue
fall to Irish
By SamDuwe
Daily Sports Writer
It's like in an elementary spelling bee.
The judge asks the remaining opponents to spell a
word. Notre Dame is up first.
U-N-D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D
Michigan cringes, and gets its word.
F-R-I-G-H-T-E-N-E -
Luckily, it's not grammar school. It's the NCAA
women's soccer Tournament. And it's the second
round, pitting the Wolverines against the top-ranked
Irish, in South Bend on Sunday.
Nobody said this is going to be easy for Michigan,
who finished as the runner-up in the Big Ten Champi-
onship last Sunday. Receiving an at-large bid for the
CAA tournament, the Wolverines squeaked past
Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday,-in a 4-1 double-overtime
game.
And now it's Notre Dame, who has been patiently
waiting for an opponent, resting through the first
round.
It's been a big year for the Irish, who went undefeat-
ed (20-0-1) and dominated the Big East, winning the
ciampionship for the sixth year in a row - the sixth
year the team has been a member.
Notre Dame lost in the NCAA finals last year, and
has continued its stellar play this season. Manhandling
its schedule, the team has been scored upon a total of
six times all season.
But not all is darkness - there is hope for Michi-
,gan-
Out of the six goals that Notre Dame has allowed,
one of them was scored by a Wolverine, Marie Spac-
carotella, two weeks ago.
The first half of that game yielded strong play by
Michigan, and although that play dissipated in the sec-
ond, it showed the team's potential despite the 5-1 loss.
"We have to be the aggressive ones on Sunday,"
Michigan coach Debbie Belkin-Rademacher said.
"We showed we can hold our own when we played
Notre Dame in the regular season - we just have to
keep our focus and be on be on the ball the whole
.ame."
Boiled down, it sounds simple.
"Don't let the ball in the net, score a goal," she said.
Kacy Beitel, team captain and one of the heroines of
the Miami game, agreed that there is a chance, be it
slim.
"We need to capitalize on an early goal," Beitel said.
"Then we need to play solid, solid defense."
And the defense will revolve around senior goal-
tender Carrisa Stewart. Stewart, who has played every
other game this year, alternating with Suzie Grech,
Adoring fans
see first win in
varsity debut
By James Mercier
Daily Sports Writer
For fans of men's soccer, the wait finally ended this past Friday
night. After 52 years of competing as a club team, the Michigan
team played its first game as a varsity squad, defeating DePaul 1-
0.
On a hot, humid evening, an estimated 3,000 fans - 2,300
above capacity - showed up to watch the historic contest. Those
who arrived before the game were treated to a pep rally that fea-
tured a speech from coach Steve Burns.
Suitably excited, the fans loudly supported the Wolverines
throughout the contest. They came to their feet when freshman
midfielder Ian Hirschfield blasted an 18-yard strike into the
DePaul goal just 4:49 into the match.
"It was the dream of a lifetime, right there," Hirschfield said
after the game. "Everyone was screaming for me, and I just
looked up and saw the goal. It was an incredible feeling."
DePaul entered the match with a reputation for physical play
and lived up to it. The referees gave the Blue Demons three yel-
low cards in the first half alone. Defenseman Ryan Wunderlich
was the target of many Michigan fans' catcalls.
Burns, who had coached the team when it was competing at the
club level, became emotional before the match.
"Yeah, I was excited," he said. "When the national anthem was
being played, I teared up a little. I struggled to hold the tears
back."
The game was a defensive struggle, featuring few great scoring
chances, but the crowd remained enthusiastic to the end.
"This is really exciting," fan Kevin Johnson said during the
match. "It's fun to see a new sport get going. My kids are starting
to play soccer, and it's fun to see how the game should be played."
As the second half wound down, the crowd again came to its
feet, chanting "Let's Go Blue!" Children blasted plastic blue
horns given out before the match.
When time expired, the Wolverines dove into a celebratory pile
near the sideline. They then walked to midfield and saluted the
crowd.
Senior goalkeeper Albert Geldres was ecstatic following the
game.
"I can't tell you how I feel right now," he said afterward.
"We've been waiting for this for four years playing club and to get
this many fans for the first game is an incredible experience."
Geldres had a strong outing, going the distance and shutting
the Blue Demons out. He delivered a highlight-reel performance
in the final minute of the first half, leaping horizontally to stop a
hard shot.
"I really didn't expect to pitch a shutout," Geldres said. "My
job was just to come up with the one or two big saves we'd need.
The defense took care of the rest."
While acknowledging that his team needed to get better, Burns
was pleased with his team after the game.
"I'm happy," he said. "If we can give this effort all the time,
we're going to do some good things."
SAM HOLLENSHEAD/Daily
Amy Sullivant had a successful sophomore campaign
last fall as one of the teams top scorers.
won the respect of her coach and team with her num-
bers and her presence. It was this respect that put her in
the net for the postseason.
This will also be the fourth year she has played in
the NCAA Tournament.
"The goals that have been scored were not her fault,
but rather had to do with a defensive breakdown,"
Rademacher said after Wednesday's game. "The regu-
lar season was a test for Carrisa, I believe she is ready."
Does the leprechaun have a soft underbelly?
"They have a new keeper in the net this year" Stew-
art said. "That might be a weakness."
But regardless of offense and defense, weakness or
strength, one thing is certain.
"Debbie will have these kids ready to play, no doubt
about it," Notre Dame coach Randy Waldrum said.
"We are definitely not going to see the same team that
we did two weeks ago - this is a new stage in the
game."
FILE PHOTO
Rich Hill and Michigan performed major upsets in the Big Ten
Tournament to finish runner-up to Minnesota.
Shocker! 'M'
finishes secontd
By Jim Weber
Daily Sports Writer
COLUMBUS - Despite Michigan holding the sixth aid
lowest seed in the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines had
reason to believe they could win the postseason tournament
that concluded yesterday.
After all, the Wolverines won the tournament in 1999 at
Ohio State with the lowest seed. This year, though, Michigan
had to settle for runner-up after losing to third-seeded Min-
nesota 3-2 yesterday in the championship game.
Michigan lost in its first game to Ohio State, but Minnesta
had not yet lost in the double-elimination tournament.
Michigan turned to freshman Jim Brauer against the Goll-
en Gophers. Brauer came into the game with a less than
impressive 3-2 record and a 6.44 ERA, but lasted 6.2 innings
while allowing three runs, just one of which was earned.
The Gophers were shut out until the sixth inning when
Jason Kennedy homered off Brauer to cut the deficit to 2-31.
In next inning, Minnesota loaded the bases with no outs ot; a
single and two bunts. Michigan then turned a double play but
Scott Welch scored from third to even the game at 2-2. The
next batter, Sam Steidl, drove in the eventual game-winning
run on an infield single to shortstop Bill LaRosa.
Michigan had taken the lead in the third inning when
LaRosa scored on a wild pitch by Minnesota pitcher Ben Birk
with the bases loaded. The bases were reloaded for the
Wolverines after Jordan Cantalamessa walked. But Michig n
stranded all three runners when Nate Wright grounded out Jo
firstbase. -
Gino Lollio added his fourth homerun of the year in the
fourth inning to stretch the lead to 2-0. That was the last time
Michigan would score.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, with men on first and
third with two outs, Minnesota pitcher Ben Birk made an
amazing catch on a line drive hit to the mound by catcher
Jake Fox. Birk, who was out for most of the year after being
hit in the face on a similar line drive against Miami, stopped
the tying run from scoring and ended the inning with his c't-
like reflexes.
Earlier in the day, Michigan earned the right to play Min-
nesota by beating fourth seed Penn. St. 10-2. The Wolverines
scored in bunches, including a three run first inning blast by
Brock Koman, his 14th homerun of the year.
Michigan added two more runs in the fifth inning and had a
five-run seventh inning to route the Nittany Lions. Rich Hill
lasted 7.2 innings and gave up only three hits on the day.
Michigan also eliminated second seed Purdue by a score of
10-2 on Thursday night, led by Scott Tousa's two home runs
and Bobby Wood's 10 strikeout, complete-game performanc4.
Michigan was in danger of being eliminated in each of
these games after losing their first game to top seed Ohio
State 8-4 on Thursday afternoon.
The Wolverines rallied from a 4-0 deficit to tie the gameIn
the fifth inning. The Buckeyes pulled away in the seventh
inning, scoring three runs off Michigan starter Bobby
Korecky.
Of Ohio State's eight runs, only five were earned - thats
to four Wolverine errors.
As runner-up of the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines
exceeded many people's expectations after finishing the regu-
lar season just 26-26 and10-14 in the conference.
"We just came down with the idea that - play hard, no o4e
expects anything of us except us, and see what happen"
coach Geoff Zahn said.
Grapplers finish most successful season in Iowa
Haddad were especially impressive. In compiling When Olson looked up at the score-
7l~aily Sports Writer a 5-2 record over the weekend, Grant board in the third period of his semifinal
succumbed only to Iowa's No. 2 Jody match with Army's third-ranked Maurice
Wielding a No. 3 national ranking and Strittmatter and Minnesota's No. 3 Leroy Worthy, he held an 8-7 advantage with
:oight national qualifiers, the Michigan Vega. Hrovat's run was highlighted by only 55 seconds remaining. Olson, who
wrestling team entered the University of decisions over No. 2 Nate Patrick of Illi- is famous for his physical conditioning
Iowa for the NCAA Championships nois and No. 5 Damian Hahn of Min- and intensity, allowed an obviously-
with lofty aspirations. Although they fell nesota. His two losses came at the hands fatigued Worthy a one-point reversal to
a bit short of realizing those aspirations, of Oklahoma State's No. 3 Daniel tie the score at 8-8, figuring that he could
the Wolverines fittingly concluded one of Cormier and and Indiana's No. 4 Victor take utilize his superior endurance to get
their most successful seasons in years. Sveda. an overtime takedown to secure the vic-
In scoring 65.5 points to take seventh "Grant and Hrovat had great tourna- tory.
lace, Michigan achieved its highest fin- ments, McFarland said. "Both stepped However, after time had expired, the
ish in seven years. And in seeing five up and really got after it by wrestling match's officials announced that the
wrestlers earn All-American status, it with intensity, grit and toughness. They wrong score had been posted at the 55-
solidified an exceptionally strong base won big matches, and that's why they second mark. Worthy had actually been
from which to build on next year. were out there." up 7-6, and with that late reversal, Wor-
"I was real proud of the way the guys Michigan's senior captain, No. 2 Otto thy's hand was raised, and he was award-
competed this weekend" coach Joe Olson, attained the most success of any ed an 8-6 victory.
McFarland said. "All eight guys that Wolverine by placing third, but his finish Michigan's protest was upheld, and
went really wrestled hard, and we're came under questionable circumstances. Worthy and Olson took the mat again an
excited about having 5 All-Americans, Michigan failed to achieve its team goal hour later to wrestle the match's final 55
ch we haven't done in a long time." of placing an individual national champi- seconds one more time. But after Worthy
W'In placing fourth, fourth, and seventh, on, but the denial of a chance to achieve had enjoyed an extra hour to recuperate,
No. 10 125-pounder A. J. Grant, No. 7 that goal can be somewhat attributed to Olson was unable to exploit his adver-
184-pounder Andy Hrovat, and No. 11 those circumstances. sary's exhaustion and lost 8-6.
149-pounder Mike Kulczycki, respec- After finishing second at the NCAAs "I don't understand why they didn't
tively, each exceeded their seedings and in his sophomore year, Olson was side- let them wrestle the whole match,"
expectations, and heavyweight Matt lined for last year's tournament because McFarland said." The biggest advantage
Brink also took seventh place. of a knee injury. With his 32-1 regular- in the original match was the condition-
{ In light of their fifth-place Big Ten fin- season record in hand, he entered the ing, and after resting an hour to wrestle
ishes and the obstacles that stood in their weekend determined to finally win a 55 seconds, we couldn't take advantage
paths, Grant's and Hrovat's performances national championship. of it:'
azw.Vinski, Oellet and Bickett
represent Michigan at NCAAs
By Shawn Kemp While Michigan did not score any points, its two highest
Daily Sports Writer finishers, Bickett and Jazwinski, will both return next
year and provide talent and experience for the Wolverines.
. ____ _ __. _ .. a..-. v, """"" ..n.an.- """"nr~ . N.. :
BRANDON SEDLOFF/Daily
Charles Martelli was one of the top wrestlers for the
Wolverines last season.
SUDAY SPECIAL ~
for every touchdown
Former home to the late American distance running
*egend Steve Prefontaine, Oregon's Hayward Field fea-
tured the nation's current collegiate track prodigies at the
2001 NCAA Track and Field Championships this past
weekend in Eugene, Ore.
kepresenting Michigan at the national level were Katie
Jazwinski and Lisa Ouellet in the distances and Melissa
Bickett in the discuss.
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