Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - The Michigan Daily - 11
Freshman striker hits net
By Jamie Josephson Though Marosevic recognizes his role as a scorer for the team, his competi-
Daily Sports Writer tive spirit overshadows any selfishness.
"I'm just glad we are able to win these games" Marosevic said. "It doesn't
He may not quite know his way around campus yet, but freshman Peri matter if I score or if someone else does.I'm working on being able to get those
Marosevic of the Michigan men's soccer team has certainly found his way chances. I'm just glad we're doing what we're doing right now.... But I am a
around the opponent's net. forward, so it is my job (to score goals)."
Six games into the season, the newcomer looks like a veteran goal-scorer, With Big Ten play less than a week away, the newcomer is no stranger to
currently leading the Wolverines with three goals. playing on a big stage. Before coming to Michigan, Marosevic played for the
But in terms of navigating his way through the first week of classes, Maros- under-17 national team. He lived in Florida for two years as part of the national
evic definitely dealt with some confusion. federation's residency program and traveled the world to compete against vari-
"When we started classes last week, I had trouble finding them," Marosevic ous nations.
said, blushing. "I was late to a couple of them, but the teachers understood." Marosevic explained that his experience on the national team has prepared
Though he is still learning the ropes as a freshman at Michigan, Marosevic him for NCAA competition.
is demonstrating an offensive maturity resembling an expert level. "I know how it is to play under pressure," Marosevic said. "I know how it
"Peri is (certainly) not playing like a freshman," Michigan coach Steve is playing big teams with bigger guys. I'm used to it. Coming into college as a
Burns said. "Special players make special plays. It may sound cliche, but he is freshman and being able to get the starting role has been a confidence builder.
a special player. Hopefully, there is more in his bag of tricks." Coach Burns has the confidence in me to do it."
The Rockford, Ill., native notched several key goals in the early season The young phenom had many choices on where to settle for his college
for Michigan (3-3), including the eventual game-winner in the Wolverines' career, but he decided on Michigan after visiting. Since he rarely got to go
1-0 victory against Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday. Marosevic's tally home while living in Florida for two years, Marosevic is excited about being
allowed Michigan to take home the championship of last weekend's Michi- close to his family in Chicago as well as having his parents come up to watch
gan Invitational. him play.
Giving Marosevic the starting call for five of the six games played thus far, Marosevic has also enjoyed being part of such a reputable program.
Burns has made his expectations for the freshman forward clear. "I love playing on the team," Marosevic said. "With the national team, we
"Peri is that elusive player that everyone wants on their team," Burns said. just had tournaments. At Michigan, (I'm excited) to play in a big league. It's a
"He is a guy that can play high up the field in that forward position, be disci- nationwide competition, and it is definitely a big deal. To be able to come to a
plined to stay in that position ... and help you maintain possession. To top it university with high standards ... it's definitely a joy to be here."
all off, he has that role player's attitude. I think he's on track to really leave his For Burns and the rest of the team, the excitement is mutual. And not just
mark in the Big Ten conference." because of Marosevic's on-field performance.
Freshman Perl Marosevic leads Michigan with three goals this season.
"If you are going to Cedar Point, you want Peri around," Burns said. "If you
are lost, he would look for you. If you're in a long line for a roller coaster, Peri
is the guy you want in line to talk it up with."
Marosevic will try to make sure the Wolverines don't lose their way to vic-
tory when they travel to Lexington, Ky., to square off against No. 20 Kentucky
on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
IRISH
Continued from page 9
On Notre Dame's second pos-
session of the second half, Wol-
verine captain Jerry Meter picked
off a Montana throw and returned
it 14 yards to the Irish 34.
"Montana must've thought the he
could get the ball over my head,"
Meter explained, "and I just
reached up and got it."
The third quarter ended with
Michigan on Notre Dame's 16,
but on the first play of the fourth
quarter, Leach found Marsh a
lonely figure in the end zone, and
the Wolverines had their winning
Spoints.
Gregg Willner's conversion
went wide, and the Wolverine
lead was six, 20-14. After an
exchange of punts, Mike Harden
halted Notre Dame progress with
an interception along the sideline
at the Irish 41.
After a line plunge that gained
a yard, Leach drilled a pass into
Ralph Clayton's hands, and the
junior wingback ran two yards
into the end zone, where he
received a golden dome in his
midsection from Irish cornerback
Dave Waymer. The finest Irish hit
of the day came after a Michigan
six-pointer.
The Wolverines tried for two,
but Leach was sacked attempting
to pass, and the lead was 12, 26-
14.
The Wolverine defense, often
criticized for its performance on
real grass, then really started to
put the Irish on the green.
Mike Jolly, who blocked a punt
in the first half, punished Notre
Dame split end Kris Haines into
fumbling after a reception, and
Michigan's Gerald Diggs recov-
ered.
Michigan closed the scoring in
a way symbolic of the day's events
when Greet sacked Montana in the
end zone for a two-point safety.
"I think we were in better
shape," Jolly said, which may
have accounted for Notre Dame's
poor second-half showing.
"We just broke down in the sec-
ond half," Irish coach Dan Devine
said. "Offensively, they came up
with the big play when they need-
ed it."
Michigan's first offensive play
of the game was big, but not
something it needed. After Huck-
leby had returned the opening
kick to the Wolverine 17, Russell
Davis almost took a handoff from
Leach.
"I never felt the ball," Davis said
of his fumble. "I never thought I
had it and went to block."
Notre Dame recovered and
spent less than two minutes into
the end zone. Montana hit tight
end Dennis Grindinger for the
score.
Late in the first quarter, Notre
Dame moved deep into Michigan
territory but the drive stalled, and
Jolly blocked the attempted 32-
yard field goal.
Michigan got good field pos-
session in the second quarter and
moved 49 yards to tie the game
at seven, with Leach scoring the
touchdown on a four-yard run,
and Wilner adding the point.
Notre Dame's next possession
was its finest of the day as it mixed
runs and passes on a 75-yard
march that ended when Ferguson
slammed into the end zone from
four yards out. The half ended
with Notre Dame holding a 14-7
edge that could have been worse
from a Michigan perspective.
Huckleby got going in the
second half, running for 67 of
his game-high 107 yards, even
though he sat out much of the sec-
ond quarter.
"I just got a few more open-
ings in the second half," Huck-
leby explained, "and we ran a few
more options."
Davis added 41 yards on 14
carries and spoke of his opening
See IRISH, page 12
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