November 11, 2005 sports.michigandaily. com sports@michigandaily.com OReTStrtan Bttdg 9 . . . . ........ . .... . . . . .......... N MEN'S SOCCER Spartans cut short Blue's postseason Michigan goaltender Billy Sauer will likely face more shots than normal due to the wider ice surface of the Berry Events Center where the Wolverines will face Northern Michigan. Widerrpresents test for Cers By Anne Uible Daily Sports Writer EVANSTON - As the clock wound down on Northwestern's field over- looking Lake Michigan, only one word described the Michigan men's soccer team's emotions: devastated. The fifth-seed-0 GAT ed Wolverines saw their hopes of wining the Big Ten title and a bid to the NCAA Champion- ships dashed yesterday when they lost to fourth-seeded Michigan State 1-0 in the first round of the Big Ten Champi- onships. As the Spartans took the field in cel- ebration of the win, Michigan players dropped to their knees and hung their heads in disbelief. "Looking at the season on the whole, I'd say that certain expectations were higher than where we finished," Michi- gan coach Steve Burns said. "I'd say that we underachieved. Expectations were high, leadership was good, and then we began to struggle. I think we tried to pull it back together, but at that point we missed a pretty crucial part of the development of the team and we never really had enough consistency in our starting lineup to be able to find our true form." Although Burns pointed to the team's inability to find its form as the Wolverines' primary problem in the game and overall this season, he also saw a problem with the team being able to finish at the goal line. "We didn't have that type of season or game where we were able to capi- talize on our chances," Burns said. "At times, it sounds redundant to continue to talk about it, but you continue to work on it and have confidence in your players and hopefully you see it on the field. And we didn't see it." The first 25 minutes of the game was a battle of trying to earn posses- sion of the ball. Both teams had their moments of control, but neither team could hold on to the ball for more than three touches. Michigan State ended the game of tug-of-war by reinforcing their attacks with defensive players and took con- trol of the final 20 minutes of the first half. Being forced into the defensive end, the Wolverines had problems transitioning into any kind of attack because the midfielders were forced too far toward their own goal. Michi- gan managed to hold the Spartans scoreless at the half. As the final 45 minutes were posted onto the scoreboard, Michigan State continued with its domination on the attack end. Senior goalkeeper Peter Dzubay played a crucial part of the Michigan defense, coming off his line several times to protect the goal. However, one ball was able to slide past Dzubay to give the Spartans the win. In the 53rd minute, Spartan Doug DeMartin received a perfect ball crossed to him by Matt Kreikemier. Dzubay came out of his box in a one- on-one situation and DeMartin slipped the ball in the far corner of the net to give the Spartans the game's only goal. After the goal, the Wolverines broke down into emergency-mode and had trouble transitioning into attack. Michigan racked up three yellow cards following the Spartans' shot, but their aggressive efforts did not help. With the final zeros glaring down on the team, the Wolverines slowly picked themselves off the ground and headed for their bench to embrace their fellow teammates. "It's tough to lose," senior Trai Blanks said. "We all came in with pretty high expectations. But it's been a fun four years, and I'll never forget my experiences." By Mark Giannotto Daily Sports Writer This weekend is a pivotal one for the Michi- gan hockey team, which faces perhaps its toughest challenge of its season. The Wolverines (3-1-1 CCHA, 7-1- 1 overall) travel to Marquette to face H Northern Michigan. The trip presents many potential pitfalls for the young v nucleus that comprises this year's team. Not only does Michigan have to suf- -Tg fer through a grueling eight-hour bus ride into the Upper Peninsula, they Brny 1 must also contend with an Olympic- " size ice rink. The ice surface at the Berry Events Center is 200 by 100 feet, which is 15 feet wider than Yost Ice Arena. When the Wolverines traveled to Alaska- Fairbanks earlier this season, they faced the same disadvantage. Though the wider ice surface helped quick forwards like junior T.J. Hensick and fresh- man Andrew Cogliano, Michigan freshman goal- tender Billy Sauer had some trouble adjusting. To combat the troubles they had in Alaska, the Wolverines left for Northern Michigan on Thurs- day morning to get two practice ses- sions on the unique playing surface. EEKtNfl Michigan also believes that playing on an Olympic-size ice rink already r x° will ease the transition period on this road trip. "We felt a lot better with the big '' t ice surface during the.Saturday game in Alaska," senior captain Andrew Ebbett said. "We feel a lot better about it because of that game." The No. 2 Wolverines play a desperate Northern Michigan team, which was swept last weekend by Michigan State. Up until that series, the Wildcats were undefeated and ranked in the national polls. Michigan knows that the Wildcats are not to be taken lightly. Last January, Northern Michi- gan ended the Wolverines 22-game CCHA home winning streak. The Wildcats were also picked to finish third in the CCHA behind Michigan and Ohio State this year. However Northern Michigan should not surprise the Wolverines - the players and coaches are well aware of what the Wildcats are capable of. "They will be the toughest team we will have played up to this point," Michigan coach Red Beren- son said. "That is what we're getting ready for." Northern Michigan's fast start was due in large part to freshman goaltender Bill Zaniboni. He has lessened the impact of the loss of last year's goal- ie and CCHA Player of the Year Tuomas Tarkki. Zaniboni was recently named the CCHA Player of the Month for October, compiling a 5-0-0 record. Even after the sweep in East Lansing, he has a 1.85 goals against average with a .927 save percentage. Luckily, the Wolverines have an offensive strategy See WILDCATS, page 10 WE UPDATED OUR BLOG. CHECK IT OUT. $1.00 BEFORE 6:00PM - $1.50 AFTER 6:00PM TUESDAY 50C ALL SHOWS ALL DAY SERENITY 12:15 2:45 7:45 PG13 TWO FOR THE MONEY 5:1510:15 R THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED 4:55 9:20 PG MARCH OF THE PENGUINS 12:30 3:00 7:25 G 40 YEAR-OLD VIRGIN 12:00 2:25 4:507:159:40 R CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY 12:00 2:307:30 PG MR. & MRS. SMITH 5:00 9:45 PG13 Are You in Debt a Scan hel $ F N I I I PS 0 I t I A I t S NOVEMBER 7 -NOVEMBER 11 NOVEMBER 14 - NOVEMBER 18 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Michigan Union To schedule an appointment, go to: http://www.carlwolfstudio.com * Click on "Schedule" * Click on "University of Michigan" * Use the Username "umich" and the Password "0049" * Then sign up for a specific date and time Sign up early because spots are limited. There is a $14 sitting fee. 2006icluganensian cover.