The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 4, 2002 - 9 Blue to test Hoosiers' conference win streak By Gennaro Filce Daily Sports Writer Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi once said "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." Since 1996, the Indiana soccer team has truly taken this to heart. The last 32 times the Hoosiers have taken the field in a Big Ten contest, they have come out victori- ous - an impressive streak that has lasted six years. Simply put, the fourth-ranked Hoosiers should present a sizeable challenge for Michigan (0-1 Big Ten, 3-4-1 overall) on Sunday. "They are an extremely talented, BLOOM Who: Michiga No.4 Indiana When: 2 p.m Latest: The % try to avoid be for the fourth time against Big Ten chamr consistent play of sophomore keeper Jay Nolly, who earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for last week's shutout against Penn State. Having already recorded five shutouts this season, Nolly possesses a 0.63 goals-against average. On the offensive side of the INGTON ball, the Hoosiers rely on the an(3-4-1) at stellar play of seniors Ryan Mack and Pat Noonan. Noonan has excelled in Indi- /olverineswill ana's traditional 3-5-2 set this consecutive year, and could be the Big Ten's thedefending best forward, as he's already ps. harnessed Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week twice. Obviously the Hoosiers have one of the most talented teams in the country, but the back- breaker for opponents could be what Burns describes as a "fighting spirit." Fighting spirit "is really something that Indiana has concentrated on in putting a blue- print together for how to win national champi- onships in college soccer," Burns said. "Not necessarily because you have the most talent- ed players, but because you have the most fighting spirit, and know how to gain any tac- tical advantage to win games." Coming off last year's triple overtime 1-0 loss against Indiana in the Big Ten Tourna- attacking team," Michigan coach Steve Burns said. "They have more weapons than you can stop. If you try to stop three players, the fourth or fifth will hurt you." The Hoosiers (2-0, 6-1-2) enter the weekend in the midst of a five-game winning streak. Under the tutelage of coach Jerry Yeagley, who is in his 30th year at Indiana, the Hoosiers looks as talented as ever and Indiana's winning streak does not appear to be coming to a close anytime soon. The well-balanced Hoosiers have already earned four Big Ten player of the week honors this season. Defensively, the team relies on the TONY DING/Daily Michigan freshman forward Tom Gritter (right) will try to challenge Indiana's six-year conference win streak and the Hoosiers' sophomore goalie Jay Nolly. ment, one would think Michigan would be chomping at the bit for revenge. But Burns says that his team has gotten over the heart- breaking loss. "We're not dwelling on that game," Burns said. "It was a different team for them and for us, and a whole different set of circumstances. That was the Big Ten Tournament which was at a neu- tral site. "Now we're talking about playing in their home, which is very intimidating." With no game scheduled for today, Michi- gan has been able to put in a full week of practice preparing for Indiana. QM'NOTES Big Ten powerhouses sqaureofftonight Today, the No. 13 Michigan women's soccer team (8-2-0 overall, 3- 1 Big Ten) will face off against peren- nial conference powerhouse No. 12 Penn State (7-1-1, 3-0). Michigan's loss to the Penn State last 'year proved to be the deciding game in the race for the Big Ten regu- lar season crown - a title which has eluded the Wolverines since their inception 10 years ago. Michigan, coming off a 4-0 loss to unranked Minnesota, hopes to rebound against a high-powered Penn State offense led by senior All-America Christie Welsh. - Staff reports M' netters will host their own tourney The Michigan women's tennis team kick off its home season by hosting the Wolverine Invitational today through Sunday at the Varsity Tennis Center. Paced by juniors Chrissie Nolan and Kavitha Tipirneni, along with sen- ior Jen Duprez, the Wolverines will take on Bowling Green, Michigan State, Western Michigan, Marquette and DePaul. The tournament will give Michigan a chance to solidify its sin- gles and doubles lineups before the dual meet season starts on Jan. 17. - Staff reports DEFENSE Continued from Page 8 sometimes you have some momentum and it can interrupt that." On top of the mental break, the bye also gives Michigan a much-needed physical break. "It is great because it allows us to get healthy," said senior receiver Ron Bellamy. LOOKING AHEAD: Talented freshmen quarterback Matt Gutierrez will proba- bly not see any action this season, but according to Bellamy, Gutierrez has looked good in practice while playing with-the first and second teams. "He is going to be a great quarterback if he keeps working hard," Bellamy said. "He has the system down pretty well, he has a great arm and great mobility." Bellamy also liked the progress that redshirt freshman tight end Tim Mas- saquoi has made in his transition from wide receiver. Bellamy believes that Massaquoi could be a star for the Wolverines in the future. "He is doing great things in prac- tice," Bellamy said. "He is catching the ball well, running great routes and blocking better." No bye week for us Coming off an incredibly disap- pointing 4-11 record in last week's picks, Joe Smith sus- pended himself indefinitely. Well, after a slap on the wrist and plenty ofsridicule, he'srback - for better or worse. "I've had a rough couple weeks, but after some soul-searching, it's time to get some pride back," Smith said. Smith is more than 10 games behind leader David Horn, who holds first place by just one game over Jeff Phillips. J. Brady McCollough always says that "this is the week d turn it around." But after spend- ing hours staring at his picks, he's still having a hard time breaking the .500 barrier. McCollough hopes Iowa will be his lucky charm like last week, in which he was right on for both the Iowa and Iowa State games. But this could be anoth- er difficult week for the football writers, as Penn State visits Wisconsin and Ohio State is 25- point favorites over an unpre- dictable Northwestern team. "I'm running out of excuses," Smith said. "It's time to win." SFe Pot iCKSu STAFF PICKS WEEK 5 SELECTIONS ALL PICKS MADE AGAINST THE SPREAD. CORRECT PICKS IN BOLD.[ IOWA -8.) vs~ Purdue WISCoNSIN (-2) vs. Penn State Florida (-13) at MISSISSIPPI ~TExAs (-24,5) vs. OkMahoma $tate SOUTH CAROLINA (-4) vs. Mississippi StateC TEXAS A&M (-6 vs, TeXas T1eh Kansas State (-3) at COLORADO ALABAMA (-3.5) vs. Georgia UCLA (°4) at EGN.:'ATE Southern Cal. (-3.5) at WASHINGToN STATE TENESEE -1) V, rkansas Oklahoma (-13.5) at MISSOUFI Oregn () at ARJZQNA Best bet Record last week (Best bets) Overall record (Best bets) David Horn lowa Penn State Ohio State FLORIDA Oklahoma State Mississippi State Texas A&M Colorado Washington Georgia Oregon State Southern Cal Tennessee Oklahoma Oregon Southern Cal 8-7 (1-0) 33-25-2 (2-2) Joe Smith J. Brady Jeff McCollough Phillips iowalowI Iew Penn State Wisconsin Penn State Northwestern OhioSt Ohio State Florida Florida Florida Oklahoma State hexaTexas South Carolina South Carolina Mississippi State Texas Tech t.a..exas Tech. Kansas State Colorado Kansas State California Wingto California Georgia Georgia Georgia. Oregon State Oregan ttate UCLA Washington State Washington State Washington State Arkansas Tenenr > 7 Tennessee Missouri Missouri Oklahoma Oregon ArkzoaOregon Oregon State South Carolina Ohio State 7-8 (0-1) 27-31-2 (3-1) 7-8 (1-0) 32-26-2-(31) 4-11 (0-1) 22-36-2'(2-2) PAID ADVERTISEMENT THIS IS AN OFFICIAL PALESTINIAN MAP. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE ISRAEL. PALESTINE KA WA wm* . ;' ;;-;: n4. y s ' _. . . ., < .: 0 a m . < ' ' . '..