14 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 8, 2006 Blue ready for 'breakout season' By Jamie Josephson Daily Sports Writer More than half of the Michigan men's soccer team is underclass- men, and the young Wolverines carry a heavy burden on their shoulders. "Our expectations are that we compete at a national level," Michi- gan coach Steve Burns said. "Look for this to be a breakout season, not necessarily because we will have a huge amount of wins, but more because we will .learn how to play at that national level and, hopefully, make it to the NCAA Tournament." Michigan (1-3-0) certainly doesn't have a smooth path to the NCAAs lined up. Eleven of the 19 teams the Wolverines face this year competed in last year's tour- nament. But Burns said this year's team has already demonstrated an extremely high level of fitness that should play in its favor late in games. "From top to bottom, everyone loves to work hard," Burns said. "The team has a very driven, deter- mined personality this year." The senior leaders know a thing or two about work ethic. These veterans were all freshmen when Michigan made a run to the Elite Eight in the 2003 NCAA tourna- ment. But none of them played a significant amount of minutes that season. "We've got ego-less leadership this year," Burns said. "These seniors were role players in the early stages of their career. They have a real understanding of what it takes to be successful. They know that it's not just about winning games, but the process and all the work it takes to get there." Seniors Kevin Hall, Brian Popeney and Kevin Savitske were among the seniors elected co-cap- tains this year. Burns said that each brings a slightly different style of leadership to the team. Hall is the on-field leader; Popeney is the more vocal, locker-room captain; and Savitske is the more quiet, lead-by- example type. Just as this group of seniors had to vie for their starting positions as rookies, the youngsters on this year's team are also in a tight com- petition - making the coaches' jobs more difficult in divvying out playing time on the one hand but providing an invaluable reserve tank on the other. "We have a core of about 20 guys that all deserve to be on the field," Burns said. "We're going to see more players in starting lineups and more substitutions this year." So far two freshmen forwards, Mauro Fuzetti and Peri Marosevic, are among the deserving players. Fuzetti, an attack-minded player, has already tallied two assists. "Mauro has to be on the field for us," Burns said. "He can be that special player like Peri who can really open up the game for us. In soccer, games are often decided by a couple special plays, and you need guys who can make them. Mauro is one of them." The Wolverines will also look to Marosevic to be a key scorer this season. He has already tallied his first point in Michigan's sole win, which came against Northern Illi- nois last Friday. Going into the season, Burns decided to change the way Michi- gan prepared for its opponents - mostly by ignoring them. "Last year, we were always look- ing at the other team's tactics and trying to exploit their weaknesses," Burns said. "This year, the focus is, 'Let's do what we do well and continue to work at it and do it at highest level possible.' We run a possession-based game that is all about ball movement, changing the point of attack and finding that third man running. When you can play like that, you can really open up against any team. And we have the work ethic to do it." The Wolverines will look to hop back on the victory train this weekend when they host the Michi- gan Invitational at the U-M Soc- cer Field. Michigan will square off against Butler tonight at 7:30 p.m. and cap off the weekend against Virginia Commonwealth at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. A 4 I FILE PHOTO Senior co-captain Kevin Hall is an on-field leader from his defensive spot. CENTRAL Continued from page 12 g oig ll~get going0 . If you're looking for direction in your career, just read the signs. They'll tell you we've created an environment that's conducive to personal and professional growth and success. At Ernst & Young, we offer the opportunity to learn from some of the best talent in the industry, early in your career. So, early in your school year, visit us on campus, or at ey.com/us/careers. Meet the Firms: September 11, 2006 at 5:00 pm/Michigan Union, Anderson Room E&Y Presentation: September 20, 2006 at 6:00 pm at the Campus Inn Campus Interviews: Entry Level: October 11, 2006 Summer Intern: November 10, 2006 at the Michigan Union The Chippewas' special teams showed off a little trickery a week ago. On fourth-and-two at the Eagles' 18-yard line, Central Michigan lined up to kick a field goal. Instead, Chippewas place- kicker Tony Mikulec carried the ball for a five-yard gain, setting up a 13-yard touchdown pass three plays later. If Central Michigan can get the Wolverines to bite on anoth- er trick play, it could make the game interesting. Either way, look for Breaston to bounce back with a big game after his rough first outing. Edge: Michigan Intangibles: Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly took a lot of flack in the media for throwing in gadget plays late against Boston Col- lege, which may have cost his Chippewas a shot at an upset victory. His goal is to erase that memory and put his name back on the map as being the offen- sive genius that led Grand Val- ley State to two national titles when he coached there. Michigan, on the other hand, may be caught looking ahead. Though the coaching staff is probably hammering the "take- it-one-week-at-a-time" message during the week of practice, it's hard not to look ahead toward the following week when the Wolverines will have a chance for revenge against Notre Dame, who beat Michigan last season in Ann Arbor. Edge: Central Michigan The Chippewas almost pulled off the upset against Boston College, but the Eagles are no Michigan. Expect the Wolver- ines to roll in their final tuneup before taking on No. 4 Notre Dame. Prediction: Michigan 38, Cen- tral Michigan 10 HAVE A COMPUTER? WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHIGAN SPORTS? THEN VISIT OUR BLOG AT MICHIGANDAILY. COM. I 4 I I I F UJNE 100 BEST COMPANIES8 TO WORK FOR' I ! 2006 EsRN &YOUNG P Quality In Everything We Do