6B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - November 1, 2004 Ad Hanging by a thread W'i' picks up vital win over Broncos Blue shut out' in tie at home By Anne Ulble Daily Sports Writer High expectations are tough to achieve and even tougher to lose. The Michigan men's soccer team (1- 3-1 Big Ten, 9-5-3) has become used to this mentality lately. For the third time this season, the Wolverines were forced to accept a tie game in an important competition. Michigan left the U-M Soccer Field yesterday tied 0-0 after two overtimes against No. 19 Penn State (1-3-2 Big Ten, 9-3-6) in an important Big Ten matchup. The team needs to win its last two games against Oakland and Ohio State if they hope to secure a NCAA Tournament bid. "This was a big game for us," goal- keeper Peter Dzubay said. "We need to win two more games to get a bid to the NCAA Tournament and now we only have two more chances to get it." With just eight shots on goal, the Wolverines - who have lost five and tied three of their last 11 games - were dominated offensively by the Nittany Lions and could not convert any of their own attacks. "The chances were there for us, and they were there for Penn State," Michi- gan coach Steve Burns said. "In the end, I think we got a pretty just result. It was a hard-fought game, and I'm pleased because, effort-wise, everything we asked from our players, they did." Forwards Trai Blanks and Mychal Tur- pin led the team on offensive attacks and shots on goal, respectively. But the duo was handily guarded by the Penn State defense and unable to break away for clear shots on goal. The majority of the game was played in the middle of the field, with both teams having a difficult time break- ing through the other's defense. In regard to Michigan's defense, Burns was specifically impressed by Dzubay's defensive tactics in the goal and the way he was able to take control of the Wol- verines' defense. Dzubay had eight saves while in goal. By Matt Singer Daily Sports Writer After suffering through four con- secutive losses, the Michigan women's soccer team desperately needed to stop the bleeding. On Saturday, they did just that. Playing with a sense of urgency, the Wolverines outplayed a tough Western Michigan squad and finished their reg- ular season with a crucial 2-1 victory. "(The win) was huge," Michigan coach Debbie Rademacher said. "We pretty much had to do that, mentally, for the confidence to jump-start us into the (Big Ten) tournament." For the first time in nine games, Michigan (6-3-1 Big Ten, 10-7-2 over- all) put multiple goals on the score- board. The Wolverines struck first, 15 minutes into the first half. Taking a pass from sophomore Brenna Mulhol- land, junior Therese Heaton took the ball down the right side of the field. Heaton crossed the ball to redshirt sophomore Katie Kramer, who one- timed it home and gave Michigan a much-needed 1-0 advantage. Michigan continued to pour it on the Broncos (5-3-3 MAC, 11-5-3) for the remainder of the half, outshooting them , 8-1. But four first-half saves from West- ern Michigan goalkeeper Lea Perz kept the game close. Ten minutes into the second half, the Wolverines struck again. Senior Kate Morgan scored her first goal in her first game back after missing seven games with a knee injury, connecting on a penal- ty kick to give Michigan a 2-0 advantage. "(Morgan's return) comes at a great time, and we could use her leadership," Rademacher said. "She brings some- thing different to the field. She played well out there. She'll help us outa lot in the tournament." The insurance goal proved crucial, as Western Michigan's Sara Cultra scored eight minutes later to bring the Broncos within one. With the game on the line; the Wolverine defense held tight until the final whistle, allowing Michigan to celebrate its first victory in two weeks. "We knew we had to win this game," freshman Jamie Artsis said. "Not only for our record, but for our pride. There was so much intensity." The weather proved to be the X-fac- tor. With nasty winds whipping across the field, passing and shooting became trickier than usual. "The conditions weretoughbecaus of the wind," Rademacher said. "B it was perfect for us because it wa physical. We needed to get back ou physical game." Finally back in a winning mind set, the team will head to Columbu on Thursday to play in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. Michiga earned a No. 3 seed thanks to its coni ference record, but there are no cake. walks in store. The Wolverines mi face Wisconsin, who beat Michigan 3- two weeks ago in Madison. Needless td say, the players are looking forward to shot at redemption against the Badgers As if the Big Ten Championship wasn't motivation enough, Michiga finds itself on the bubble for a NCAA Tournament bid. Considered a lock fo the tourney just a few weeks ago, th Wolverines probably need at least ony Big Ten Tournament victory to be con- sidered for an NCAA berth. And eve then, nothing is guaranteed. "We've never lost four in a row at the end of the season," Rademachet said. "I look around the country, it's hard to say - it depends a lot on what other teams do." Junior Mychal Turpin and the rest of the Michigan offense couldn't penetrate Penn State's defense in a scoreiess tie. "He looked good and executed his role very well today," Burns said. "He's confi- dent in the goal and a great shot stopper." Dzubay was happy with the way he played and credited much of his success to the heavy wind that ripped across the field for much of the game. "It helped make a strong counter- attack when we got the wind going our way," Dzubay said. "It carried the ball down the field further and gave us more offensive opportunities." Once regulation playing time ended, the offensive attacks by the Nittany Lions increased, and the Wolverines were forced to put more players on defense to protect the net. "I think that once the game gets close like it did today, we need to start passing the ball more," Dzubay said. "Because we tend to just keep kicking the ball back and forth down the field. We need to get the ball into the feet of creative players like Adam Bruh." Bruh, who led the Wolverines with a pair of goals on Friday in a decisive 4-0 victory over Akron (3-1-2 MAC, 10-4-3), played aggressively against Penn State but was unable to convert any attacks into goals. Burns was pleased with Bruh's efforts over the weekend and expects him to play a more important role on the team. "He is putting a lot of extra work into his game," Burns said. "He is tak- ing extra free kicks and repetitions with finishing balls in front of the face of the goal, and it's paying off for him. It is great when you see a player put all that work in and then it is rewarded in terms of an overall performance." Overall, Burns was pleased with the results of the weekend, but knows that the next two games will be the pivotal com- petitions of the season. This Wednesday, The Wolverines continue the homestand on Wednesday that will end the regular season against Oakland at 2:30 p.m. Merrill Lynch mi.com/careers/americas SHARE OUR PASSION MERRILL LYNCH PRESENTATION UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN juniors and sophomores are invited to attend: Wednesday, November 3, 2004 5:00-6:30 pm D1273 Whether you look at us in terms of people, culture, products or our virtually limitless possibilities, Merrill Lynch defines "exceptional" in every sense of the word. It's a source of pride for all of us who work here. And a source of exceptional careers for those eager to share in our passion for doing great things. Attend our presentation. And let's explore the possibilities together. Summer opportunities: Accounting&Finance EXCEPTIONAL WITHOUT EXCEPTION Merrill Lynch is an equal opportunity employer. 4 4 1 1