The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 21, 2005 -13 Soccer team . gets insync with local drummers By Anne Uible Daily Sports Writer Every movement in life can be linked to the sound of music. The challenge can be getting the rhythm down and finding the beat. The Michigan men's soccer team has only to look into the stands for its musical counterpart, the Like Water Drum Group, and the rhythm of their game is set. When Michigan coach Steve Burns contacted the local drum group, his primary goal was to have the musicians play in sync to the tempo and pace of the game to get his players more in tune with the feel of the game and the movement on the field. "Soccer has a definite rhythm to it," Burns said. "Sometimes it's back and forth and end-to- end action. And sometimes it's pretty damn bor- ing and both teams are tentative and not really getting into the attacking third at all. The drums can play to that rhythm." Now in its third year of playing at home games, "Like Water" has become a regular addition to the U-M Soccer Field. "The drums make the stands much louder," band leader Ryan Edwards said. "There's a better connection between the fans and players, like having the marching band in the football stadium. Drums are used at most games in Brazil and Africa, where soccer is the most popular sport, so it just seems natural to have them at (Michigan) games." Edwards played soccer for many years before becoming serious about music. He says that being a part of the game means understanding the tempo on the field. By playing the drums, Edwards has been able to connect to the sport and set music to the pulse of the game. "Soccer is definitely a combination of long ebbs and flows of energy," Edwards said. "The concept of tension mounting and the timing of a soccer game is very similar to what musicians do with their compositions. You have to establish something and build on it 'til you find a climax. You know when you're doing your job right because you can make audible the movement on the field." Edwards founded the Like Water Drum Group five years ago. After spending time in Western Africa studying the cultural music of the area, the Chelsea native returned to Michigan and was inspired to teach people about it. As he began Hill investigates Palmeiro scandal WASHINGTON (AP) - Still trying to figure out whether Rafa- el Palmeiro lied under oath about using steroids, Congress wants to hear what other players might know. The House Government Reform Committee is interviewing major leaguers connected to the Balti- more Orioles slugger, including a Colorado outfielder suspended this year for failing a drug test. A congressional source familiar with the committee's work, speak- ing to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing, said Mon- day that "several active players" have spoken or will speak with the committee about Palmeiro. That source would not identify who was interviewed. But Colorado Rockies outfielder Jorge Piedra told AP on Monday that he spoke on the phone with the committee. He said investigators contacted him through his agent about a week ago, found out "all they wanted to know" in a matter of minutes and didn't plan to contact him again. Piedra, the second player publicly identified under the sport's new ste- roid rules when he was suspended for 10 days in April, said the com- mittee "had a few questions, and I just answered them honestly." "I told them I didn't have any- thing to do with Palmeiro," Piedra said after the Rockies played the Padres in Denver. "We only worked out a few times together." Palmeiro was the seventh to be identified publicly, and he was by far the most accomplished - one of only four players in baseball histo- ry to collect at least 3,000 hits and 500 homers. The congressional source indi- cated that players asked recently to talk to the committee were cho- sen because they have relationships with Palmeiro, such as teammates or workout partners, and could have knowledge about whether he might have used steroids before his testi- mony. "I guess they were searching to see if we had discussed anything concerning enhancement drugs," Piedra said. "But we didn't. He's kind of a veteran. I'm kind of a rookie." Piedra said it was difficult to talk to investigators about another player. "He is one of the greatest play- ers," Piedra said. "Obviously, I'm not going to condemn him for something I've done too. Whether he took something or he didn't, he's still one of the best to ever step on the field." On March 17, Palmeiro appeared before the House Government Reform Committee alongside Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, pointed his finger for emphasis and declared: "I have never used steroids. Period." When baseball announced his suspension Aug. 1, Palmeiro stood by his statements to Congress, say- ing he didn't know what caused the test result. When he rejoined the Orioles after his ban, Palmeiro said he would not speak about the case until Congress concludes its per- jury investigation. He had just two hits in 26 at-bats after returning and was booed by spectators at Baltimore and on the road. Palmeiro hasn't played since Aug. 30; he went home to Texas to reha- bilitate knee and ankle injuries. Palmeiro has not been inter- viewed by the committee since he was suspended, but he did agree to allow Major League Baseball to turn over his test results and other documents to Congress, and the committee has praised him for being cooperative. It doesn't appear likely that the Government Reform panel will hold another hearing on steroids in the near future because its chairman, Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) will be running hearings on the response to Hurricane Katrina. Men's soccer head coach Steve Burns confers with junior co-captain Kevin Hall. leading classes, he built an ensemble of his stu- dents and other interested people from around the Ann Arbor area. As the group advanced musical- ly and professionally, Edwards added dancers to the mix to create more authentic African music. The group now has 13 full-time members who perform three to seven times a month at schools, bars and community centers. The original idea for the name of the band, "Like Water", was that culture is like water and everyone needs a connection to their culture. "We're all in this life for a reason," Edwards said. "There needs to be an inspiration to wake up every morning, more than just surviving. Music serves as a kind of medicine for the dif- ficulties of life and water is very much like that in everyone's life." The Like Water Drum Group will be playing on the U-M Soccer Field this Sunday when the Wolverines take on their first Big Ten opponent, Northwestern, at 1 p.m. "I can't say how lucky I feel to be paid to watch soccer games and mix both my love of-the game and music," Edwards said. "Soccer is an American underdog sport. It feels good that we can apply ourselves to make it more exciting and popluar." Bi Ten teams prepared to egin conference play By Kia Hamadanchy and Chris Herring For the Daily With all the nonconference games out of the way, it's time for the Big Ten to spring to action. Ten teams will see their first Big Ten opponent this weekend, with Indi- ana receiving a bye. Here's the roundup of all the four non-Michigan games. No. 21 Iowa (2-1) at No. 8 Ohio State (2-1) - Noon - ABC This game is extremely important for both the Hawkeyes and the Buckeyes. Both teams lost in week two, and the loser of this week's premiere matchup will have to dig themselves out of a big hole. Iowa struggled offensively against Iowa State a few weeks ago, but part of that had to do with the gap left by injured quarterback Drew Tate. Even with Tate playing his best, the Hawkeyes will have their hands full on the road. Led by A. J. Hawk on defense, the Buckeyes were awfully close to beating Texas in week two. Had that happened, Ohio State would be trying to steal first-place votes from Southern Cal. instead of trying to climb back into the top-five. Ohio State 24, Iowa 10 No. 17 Michigan State (3-0) at Illinois (2-1) - Noon - ESPN Plus Ron Zook has already made an impact on the Illini. A year ago, they wouldn't have even had a shot against Cal. Last week they were beating the Golden Bears into the fourth quarter. And how about them Spartans? Who would have guessed they would score 44 at Notre Dame? With Michigan State coming off a huge overtime victory in South Bend, this would be a perfect spot for Illinois to play spoiler. But that seems unlikely. Also, Illinois's defense isn't quite set up to stop a mobile quarterback like Drew Stanton. Look for the Spartans to ruin Zook's Big Ten opener and remain unbeaten. Michigan State 38, Illinois 17 No. 11 Purdue (2-0) at Minnesota (3-0) - Noon - ESPN Coming off a closer-then-expected 31-24 victory over Arizona, Purdue travels to Minnesota. The Boilermakers have high hopes for the Big Ten campaign since both Michi- gan and Ohio State are off the schedule. Minnesota is fly- ing a little under the radar at 3-0, but it's understandable considering the Gophers have yet to play a decent team this season. Purdue and its 11 returning defensive starters have been solid against the run so far, but Laurence Maroney is the best running back in the Big Ten and will pose the stiff- est test yet for the Boilermaker D. The Gophers will ride Maroney to a victory over the Purdue and expose the Boil- ermakers as overrated. Minnesota 24, Purdue 13 Penn State (3-0) at Northwestern (2-1) - Noon Northwestern host Penn State in the Big Ten opener. The Wildcats have a record of 2-1 so far this season but they struggled with Northern Illinois and are coming off a game where they allowed 773 yards to Arizona State. Penn State might not have the greatest offense in the world, but even they will be able to find holes in the Northwestern defense. Penn State has opened the season with three easy victories, and Saturday's game should be no different. Penn State will roll over the Wildcats. Penn State 34, Northwestern 10 AP PHOTO Laurence Maroney and the Minnesota Golden Gophers will be tested this weekend against talented Purdue. m m