6 Friday November 15, 2002 michigandaily.com sportsdesk@umich.edu ahe icligan ailg SPORTS 8A M squeezes past Wildcats in first round MEN'S SOCCER lIT N STATE COLLEGE CONFERENCE By Gennaro Filce Daily Sports Writer STATE COLLEGE - On Oct. 13, Michigan lost to Michigan State 2-1 and dropped to 0-3 in confer- ence play. Since then, the Wolverines have not lost a game (6- 0-1). Their streak contin- ued yesterday with a 1-0 victory over Northwestern MICHIGAN 1 in the first round of the Big NORTHWESTERN 0 Ten Tournament. _ At Jeffrey Field, No. 2 seed Michigan (10-6-2) squeaked out a victory over the seventh-seeded Wildcats (8-12). Michigan thoroughly dominated the first half of the game. The Wolverines outshot Northwestern 6-3 and held the ball for the majority of the half. "In the first half, we did a good job in recognizing how to go at Northwestern," Burns said. "We con- trolled five-sixths of the game." Michigan's most impressive drive came in the 25th minute of the half, and resulted in the game's only goal. The drive started when freshman Adam Bruh gained a free-kick 15 yards out of the Northwestern box. Bruh took the kick from the left side and lofted a perfect ball into the box. Junior captain Mike White snuck behind the defense, met the ball four yards out and blasted a header into the goal. The score was sweet redemption for White, who failed to convert on a similar play minutes before. "I expect Bruh to play a great ball, just like he did the time before when I missed my opportunity," White said. "I expect him to play a great ball just about every time, which he does. So it makes it pretty easy to put it in when you get that many chances." In the second half, the game evened out, and North- Football Saturday No. o12:Mihian Wisconsm TOMORROW, 12:05 M, ESPN2 DAVID KATZ/Daily Michigan junior Kevin Taylor and the Wolverines advanced to the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament with a 1- 0 win over Northwestern. They will face Michigan State - the last team to beat them this season. western outshot Michigan 7-6. The Wolverines saw an opening in the Wildcat defense, but couldn't exploit it. "In the second half, we looked at the fact that there was a lot of spacing behind their defense, and that we were going to be able to get in that space if we could play into feet, lay off and then look for the third man running," Burns said. "That's more of a rhythm game, and to Northwestern's credit, I think they were really destroying rhythm." Although Michigan's offense was ineffective in the second half, freshman keeper Peter Dzubay played superbly, recording three saves. With the win, the Wolverines earned a match in the semifinals tonight against No. 6 seed Michigan State. The Spartans handed Michigan its last loss eight games ago. Although the game is obviously monu- mental for every member of the Wolverines, this match holds special significance for Dzubay. "Growing up in Michigan, I know it's a big rival- ry," Dzubay said. "I was sitting on the bench for the last game, and if there was one thing I wanted, it was to get in and try to make an impact on that game. Tomorrow I can step up and try to do that." Inside this edition of Football Saturday, you will find: Emergency room - Michigan has been battling a slew of injuries all year, but new talent has stepped up time and time again. If the Wolverines are going to fin- ish the season strong, its depth will be the reason why. A changed man - With the help of his new quar- terbacks coach, John Navarre has turned over a new leaf. He is comfortable in the pocket and making the plays needed to win games. Smoker apologizes Conference underdog returns to Yost Arena By Bob Hunt Daily Sports Writer When Lake Superior came into Yost Ice Arena to play the Wolver- ines in the first round of the CCHA Tournament last March, it was the ultimate David vs. Goliath battle. Having just four wins and 38 goals in 28 conference games, the Lakers were only allowed into the YosT ICE tournament because the Who: Michiga league had expanded to Lake Superior: allow all 12 teams to When:7:35p. compete. So they were 7:35 p.m. tomc given little chance Latest:TheWo against Michigan, unbeaten in th which had won nineĀ°of games, which its last 10. longest winni But three minutes thenation. into the contest, the Lakers were up 2-0 and eventually hung on for a 4-3 win despite taking just 16 shots on goal. Michigan went on to win the series in three games, but the Lakers had left their mark. "They battled their hearts out," said sophomore forward Eric Nys- trom, for whom the loss to the Lak- ers was his first postseason collegiate game. "Maybe we didn't come ready to play. The same thing could happen this year if we don't come ready to battle." Lake Superior returns to Yost for a weekend series tonight. Lake Superior used to be the class of the CCHA, winning national championships in 1988, 1992 and 1994. The Lakers finished third in the CCHA in the 1999-2000 season, but have since fallen on hard times, EAST LANSING (AP) - Michigan State quarterback Jeff Smoker apolo- gized yesterday for the substance abuse problems that led to his suspension, and he shouldered some of the blame for the firing of coach Bobby Williams. Smoker was sus- pended indefinitely Oct. 24 for violating team rules, and 10Y days later his family announced he was Smoker seeking treatment for abuse of an unspecified substance. Smoker, who said he did not fail a drug test, said he was suspended when he told Williams he had a substance- abuse problem and needed help. He said he entered an "intensive" inpatient treat- ment program and will continue to be treated for his problem for at least a few more months. "It wasn't just one substance, and I don't believe that saying the specific substance is the issue," he said in his first public comments since the suspen- sion. "But I did abuse them, and it really did affect me." Smoker's absence only accelerated Michigan State's deterioration on the field. The Spartans (4-6, 2-4 Big Ten) were ranked 15th after a 2-0 start, but they lost six of their next seven games. Smoker, a junior, hopes Michigan State's next coach will drop his indefi- nite suspension. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to become a Spartan again," he said. finishing seasons. E ARENA n (6-1-1) vs. State (3-7-0) .m. today, orrow diverines are hir last six ranks as the ng streak in in last place the past two But Frank Anzalone, who led the program to its 1988 national title, was re-hired as head coach last season in an attempt to revitalize the program. The revival has yet to occur, as the Lakers are 0-6 in CCHA play, their worst start ever. The Wolverines have nine players that have accu- Just do it; Wolverines looking for revenge mulated more points than the Lak- ers' leading scorer, Chris Peterson, and Lake Superior has scored just 16 goals in its first nine games. But while the Lakers will not put the puck in the net very often, they make opponents work for every opportunity they receive. The Lak- ers have just a handful of players under 6-foot-2. "They recruit to play that kind of style," Michigan assistant coach Billy Powers said. "They like to be a big, grinding, in your face team, and then try to capitalize on any JASON COOPER/Daily Michigan's John Shouneyia is expected to return this weekend from injury, and should help the Wolverines on the powerplay. By Naweed Sikora Daily Sports Editor Much has changed since Michigan fell to Nike Elite 79-71 last November. Past wins have been forfeited, banners have been removed from Crisler Arena, and the postseason is lost. But for the Michigan basketball team, the show must go on. With so much national attention a question all year. But Amaker says there are small things every player can do for Michigan to become a better rebounding team. "It involves being in better position, boxing out better and keeping our hands up," Amaker said. "We also need our guards to do a better job getting the long rebounds and loose balls, and being more active and alert out on the perime- E -r - .._ _ _ _._ _ __ _ i chance that you give them." One area that's going to be cru- cial to the Wolverines' successes is the powerplay. The Lakers are third in the CCHA in penalty minutes per game but are last in the league in penalty killing percentage (.654). Although the Wolverines penalty kill has been a real strength so far this season, their powerplay has been lacking. But with senior alternate captain John Shouneyia fully recovered from his injury, the forward, who Michigan coach Red Berenson has called the Wolverines' "Quarter- back" on the powerplay, should help Michigan take advantage of its extra-man opportunities. But Berenson does not want to put too much pressure on Shouneyia to turn around the unit. "I just want to make sure that Johnny doesn't carry the powerplay by himself," Berenson said. "These other teams know about John Shouneyia so they're going to put some pressure on him." Sophomore forward Milan Gajic - who returned to the ice Tuesday after being suspended on Nov. 4 due to academic reasons - worked out with the powerplay unit in prac- tice today and could see some play- ing time this weekend on the Wolverines' fourth line. Also Jason Ryznar may play on Saturday night as he is almost fully recovered from his second shoulder injury this season. But no matter what happens, this weekend should be a grind. "Everything's going to be a bat- tle," Nystrom said. "In front of the net is going to be a battle, in the corner is going to be a battle, every shot is going to be a battle." swirling around the pro- gram of late, Michigan coach Tommy Amaker and the Wolverines would like nothing more than to begin focusing on what needs to be done on the court, even if a tournament berth is impossible. Tonight, Michigan hosts Nike Elite in its second exhibition game of the sea- son. It will be the Wolver- CRISLER ARENA Who: Michigan vs.Nike Elite (exhibition) When: 7 p.m. Latest: This is Michigan's last opportunity to tune-up before the regular season begins on Nov. 23 against St. Bonaventure at the Paradise Jam Tournament. ter. "Rebounding is a team statistic. Your big guys aren't the only ones that need to get rebounds." In Michigan's case, early injuries to freshmen center Chris Hunter and Graham Brown, have kept the Wolverines thin up front. Amaker is still not sure whether Brown, who missed more than a week ines' final chance to get the bugs out before their regular season begins on Nov. 23 against St. Bonaventure in the Paradise Jam Tournament. Even though they came away with a win, the Wolverines don't have much to build on from their last exhibition game against Wayne State on Nov. 1. Instead, Amaker is looking for his team to use tonight's exhibition to correct the prob- lems from that game. Rebounding and turnovers were the two main problematic areas. The Wolverines committed 24 turnovers and allowed Wayne State to snag 21 offen- sive rebounds. Due to a lack of depth and injuries at the center position, rebounding has been of practice with a lower back injury, will play tonight. Hunter did start against Wayne State, and will most probably be called on again to start at center tonight. When Michigan does corrall the board, it needs to hang on to the ball. While Amaker says he expects a few turnovers to occur with the up-tempo style of play he is trying to instill in his team, he wants the players to remain poised and in control out on the court. "We are going to have some turnovers," Amaker said. "But for us to have 24 turnovers is not acceptable. I didn't think we had any offensive flow and that our production was very limited and that was due to our lack of liability to take care of the ball." A