The Michigan Daily - Friday, November 1, 2002 - 9A ACC provides end-of-season challenge By Brian Schick Daily Sports Writer Michigan field hockey defender Stephanie John- son adamantly rejected the idea that this weekend's nonconference matchups have the potential to cause a letdown in the team's play. "The ACC presents a very big chal- lenge for us," Johnson said. "They play DURH a different game than Big Ten field Wh: No. 21 hockey. They're very finesse oriented, Big Ten, 15-; and we're physical combined with the No.20 virgin finesse. It will help us down the line 8), No. 12 D for the NCAA Tournament." When: Tonigh The junior from Houston, Texas Latest: Mich wasted little time addressing the con- overcome la cern that the second-ranked Wolver- 4-3 overtime ines (6-0 Big Ten, 15-2 overall) might ranked old D come out a little flat in this weekend's games against Virginia and Duke. Last Saturday, Michigan dropped its first game since early September to No. 1 Old Dominion, a m AM Mic 2 o Juke ht a higa st Dmi devastating 4-3 overtime loss that saw the Wolver- ines tie the game after being down 3-0. This came the day after Michigan clinched the Big Ten title with a 3-1 win over Penn State, ending conference play for the regular season. "We feel the Big Ten conference is probably the strdngest competition we'll face all season," said Johnson, , N.C. who scored two goals in the Penn higan (6-0 State game. "It's always good to verall) vs. have that different look going into (0-3 ACC, 9- the Big Ten Tournament." (0-3,11-6) With the difficult conference sea- nd tomorrow son complete and the postseason n looks to tournament looming next weekend, weekend's the tendency to overlook two non- s to top conference games at the end of the ninn season is easy to understand. But the Wolverines must avoid a psychological let-down as both opponents are ranked in the top 20. "We've learned this year that every team is going to bring their 'A' game for us, because they're playing the defending national champi- ons," forward April Fronzoni said. "Even though we have the Big Ten regular season title, we still have a lot to do before the season is over." Something to work on as the season winds down is responding positively to adversity. The Wolverines set a new school record for consecu- tive wins (14), a streak that was snapped at the hands of Old Dominion. The Monarchs handed Michigan its second loss providing the Wolver- ines with just their second opportunity to rebound after a defeat. Michigan has reason to be opti- mistic; with its backs against the wall, it fought back to tie the game - the mark of a champi- onship team. "We were down 3-0, and a lot of teams could have been down and out, but we fought through it," said Fronzoni, who tied the game at three with six minutes to go. "This team showed a lot of courage and a lot of character, and we know we can stay with any team in the country, and nothing can stop us this year." ALYSSA WOOD/Daily Michigan defender Stephanie Johnson scored two goals to lead the Wolverines to the Big Ten title last week, and is confident the team won't see a letdown this weekend. Second place within grasp for third-year 'M' kickers Netters rocket into Toledo By Brad Johnson For the Daily By Gennaro FRice Daily Sports Writer Last season, Michigan finished up Big Ten play in style by traveling down to Ohio State, and knocking off the 14th-ranked Buckeyes 1-0. Although the game marked just the second time the two teams had played since Michigan turned varsity, Michigan coach Steve Burns believes that that game began a tradi- tional competition that has come to COL define all Michigan sports. What: Michi "Last year, we went down to Ten, 7-6-1 ov Columbus, and we stole a game State (2-2, 1 which we had no business winning" When:1 p.m. Burns said. "We stole that game, and I Latest: Lasty think the rivalry was born." stole a win a Since Indiana has already finished Buckeyes, sp up its Big Ten season 6-0, the Buck- rivalry. eyes (2-2 Big Ten, 10-5-1 overall) arestriving to finish second in the conference. In the event of an Ohio State victory this week- end, all the Buckeyes have to do is beat confer- ence celler dweller Northwestern (0-4 in the Big Ten) to hold sole possession of the No. 2 spot. But, in the case of a Michigan win, there is a very good chance that Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin would finish up the year in a five-way tie for second place. "Both programs know the importance of this game," Burns said. Boasting the Big Ten Freshman of the Year three out of the last four years, Ohio State is Three members of the Michigan men's tennis team will be given a golden oppor- tunity to shine- at the Rocket Invitational in Toledo this weekend, one of the last tournaments of the fall season. TOLED Junior Brett Baudinet, soph- omores Vineeth Gossain and What: Rocket Carey Rubin did not see sin- when: Todayt gles action in the main draw of caetogai last weekend's Rolex Regional their second-t Championships in Madison. tournament o But the trio will compete in Ohio State an singles competition in Toledo will also have starting today. Toledo. UMBUS gan (3-2 Big verall) vs. Ohio 10-5-1) n. loaded with talent. The Buckeyes run a defensive 4-4-2 shape, but possess plenty of firepower on the offensive side of the ball. But the team's X-fac- tor could be sophomore goaltender Chad Brown, who has posted an astounding 0.82 goals-against aver- M DO, A Ir thr to-l f th d N pla ALYSSA WOOD/Daily Michigan midfielder Robert Wurth and the rest of the Wolverines gear up for the rival Buckeyes. yea aga >parl ar Michigan age in 15 games started. the right time of the season. "I want to give these guys a inst the Michigan looks to counter Ohio "We are at the point of the season where we are chance to get some matches under their king a new State with its usual game plan of starting to get our form," Burns said. "It takes a belt," Michigan coach Mark Mees said. aggressive offense and consistent while for that to happen in a sport like soccer, and The Rocket Invitational "is an opportunity defense. The Wolverines' success will depend on I believe that we are there now." for those three to get some play in. It's a the two legs of "super sophs" Mychal Turpin and In a game with major NCAA Tournament good, solid tournament." Knox Cameron, who have combined for 20 scores implications, Burns expects a barnburner. Traditionally, there have been several this season (10 each). "It is going to be a great game," Burns said. "It Big Ten teams that send top players to the Freshman Adam Burns is confident entering is going to be a game where both teams fight hard Rocket Invitational, including Ohio State the game, and feels that his team is peaking at just for 90 minutes to get every ball." and Northwestern. Also, Mid-American Conference schools such as Toledo and Ball State are usually well-represented at the tournament. Last week in Madison, sophomore Mike Rubin played well, splitting his two sin- gles matches. Junior Anthony Jackson also turned in a solid performance, despite losing his first match OHIO in three sets. Overall, Mees was pleased vitational with his team's showing at the ough Sunday tournament. verines get a xperience in "We did a pretty good job," ast singles he said. "We're trying to make e season. sure (the team) is getting bet- orthwestern ter from the beginning of the ayers in fall. We have a ways to go, but it is a positive to see people improving." Following the Rocket Invitational, the squad will piarticipate in the Big Ten Sin- gles Championship before a long layoff until the indoor season begins in earnest in January. "We are looking to make some improve- ments across the board," Mees said. "It's important that everyone continues to work hard." New coach to face old team this weekend By Matt Kramer Daily Sports Writer Michigan men's golf coach Andrew Sapp will see some familiar faces this weekend. Sapp, the first-year coach who took over for the retired Jim Carras, will take his team to Wilmington, N.C. to com- pete in the 12-team Landfall Tradition. One of those 12 teams, Purdue, holds a special place in Sapp's heart. Sapp served as associate coach of the Boiler- makers for the past four years before taking over at Michigan. But even though Sapp is in Ann Arbor, he still finds time to talk to his former players. "I still keep in touch with those guys through e-mail," Sapp said. Although Sapp said he won't be nervous facing his old team, he would like nothing more than to see his Wolverines paired with them during the first rounds. "If our guys are paired with them duinng the tournament, that would be a lot of fun." The Wolverines have struggled this year. After finishing ninth at their own tournament three weeks ago, the Wolverines could only muster a 14th- place finish two weeks ago at the Xavier Invitational. "I'm still looking for that consisten- cy," Sapp said. "I've been pleased with the practices, and I want to end our sea- son on a good note." Michigan's lineup will consist of freshmen *Mark McIntosh and Jimmy Wisinski, sophomore Rob Tighe and juniors Dave Nichols and Chris Kellogg. This will be the first time Kellogg has competed for the Wolverines all season. If the Wolverines are looking to make a run for the Landfall Tradition title, they are going to have to take down some formidable foes. Along with Purdue, the Wolverines will see Duke, Wisconsin and defend- ing national champion Minnesota. "This is a strong field," Sapp said. "If we finish in the top five, that will be a successful tournament for us." This will be the last tournament of the fall for Michigan. While the Wolverines won't compete again until the Puerto Rico Classic over s wna hrenk1r Snnrn 11il1lrnut his team ani