Thursday October 19, 2006 sports.michigandaily.com sports@michigandaily.com SOe RTSiiianilg 5A Scoring woes continue for Wolverines in loss to Akron By Anthony Oliveira Daily Sports Writer The film "Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos" compares soccer to a play. If yes- terday's AN Michigan - men's soc- cer game against Akron were a theatrical production, Michigan coach Steve Burns would prob- ably describe it as a "cruel" tragedy. "The soccer gods weren't with us today," Burns said. For their third consecutive con- test, the Wolverines were unable to beat the goalkeeper, losing to Akron 1-0 at Lee Jackson Field in Akron, Ohio. Michigan (0-2-2 Big Ten, 5-9-3 overall) hasn't won a game since Sept. 20. Despite dominating the sec- ond half with six good scoring opportunities, the Wolverines couldn't solve the Zips' Evan Bush. The All-Region keeper stopped all five shots he faced. Michigan's best opportunities came early in the second half. In the 47th minute, freshman Mauro Fuzetti served the ball to freshman Peri Marosevic on the right flank. Turning the defender from 20 yards out, Marosevic took an off-angle strike toward the goal, but the shot deflected wide by Bush. Eight minutes later, sopho- more Steve Bonnell received the ball from Marosevic off the counter-attack. Facing the goal, Bonnell hit a strong, low strike from 25 yards out, but Bush stoned Michigan again. Despite producing opportunities throughout the game, the ball just wouldn't roll into the net. "When you don't create chances, you know you're not going to score goals," Burns' said. "But we're creating chanc- es. We're dictating how the game is played." In its eight-game winless streak, Michigan has outshot opponents 131-100. But the Wolverines have trailed the goal count 10-3. "We're unable to get past the hump," Burns said. Akron's goal came late in the first half off what seemed like a harm- less throw-in. Unable to trap the ball, Akron (9-4-1 overall) senior Ashley Kozicki converted a shot on net that deflected off freshman goalkeeper Patrick Sperry. According to Burns, seven play- ers easily exceeded his expectations, including senior captain Bobby Try- bula. In the first half, Trybula's shot seemed to be going into an empty net - until a Zips defender denied the ball out of play. Despite the frus- tration, the Wolverines managed to find a rhythm at halftime. "At this point, our team is showing a lot of character and a lot of pride," Burns said. Michigan hopes to break the winless spell this Sunday against Ohio State. Combating their most difficult season, the Wolverines are looking to get the ball in the back of the net. "It's just a matter of getting goals," Burns said. "Until you score, soccer can be a cruel game." Top: Sophomore Steve Bonnell and his Wolverine teammates couldn't find the back of the net in last night's 1-0 loss at Akron. Bottom: Senior captain Bobby Trybula was denied a scoring opportunity by a heady Zips defender. BY THE NUMBERS After a respectable start to the season, the men's soccer team has cooled off in a big way. Consecutive games Michigan has been held scoreless. Straight games without a win for the Wolver- ines. 1 2 Goal the Wolver- ines have scored in the last seven games. Games left for Michigan to avoid its first winless Big Ten season. Off the bench, Englemon big contributor for Varsity By Matt Singer Daily Sports Editor It was one of the biggest plays of the season for Michigan's defense. But Brandent Englemon wanted more. Down 10-0 late in the first half of last Saturday's game, Penn State drove to the Michigan five-yard line. On third-and-goal, Nittany Lion quarterback Anthony Morelli saw Jordan Norwood in the left flat near the goal line. But Englemon flew in, stepping in front of Nor- wood and breaking up Morelli's wobbly would-be touchdown pass. Englemon's pass break-up forced Penn State to settle for a field goal, but he was frustrated he didn't come up with the interception. "(Defensive coordinator Ron English) made an adjustment, and I was able to pick up on it," Engle- mon said. "I was just in the right spot at the right time. I made the play, but I didn't make the play. I should have caught the ball" A redshirt junior, Englemon has already made more than his fair share of plays. In two-plus years as an on-and-off starting safety and special teams player, he's racked up 71 tackles, including two sacks. It's not just the number of tackles Englemon records,but their quality that sets Englemon apart. Despite his relatively compact frame - 5 foot 11, 205 pounds - Engle- mon packs a big wallop from his safety position. He has developed a reputation for being one of the Wolverines' biggest hitters in the secondary. Opposing receivers know that, if given the opportunity, No. 31 won't hesitate to lay them out. "I just go out there and try to play with great intensity," Engle- mon said. "And a lot of times, I'm in a position to make a big hit. It's just fun making the big-hit and get- ting the crowd going." A few years ago, it seemed unlikely that Englemon would ever be dropping into coverage and pop- ping receivers for the Maize and Blue. He was a lightly regarded two-star prospect, according to Rivals100.com, from Covington, Ky. - hardly the typical Wolver- ine profile. But Lloyd Carr and the Michi- gan coaching staff saw something in Englemon and offered him one of the Wolverines' last scholar- ships in 2002. For Englemon, who also considered playing for his See ENGLEMON, page 10A Redshirt junior safety Brandent Englemon (31) wraps a Wisconsin ballcarrier. Even though he's started only two games, Englemon has taliled 16 tackles this season. Sports Rehab Do You Want to Work With Athletes? Logan's Department of Sports & Rehabilitation is designed to assist students in the management of injuries & assist in the treatment of patients in a clinical setting. Master's Degree in Sports Science & Rehabilitation Unique Dual-Degree M.S/D.C. & Independent Graduate Degree Formats Develop Skills in the Assessment, Treatment, Conditioning & Injury Management of Athletes Work with Professional, Collegiate & High School Sports Teams Learn from Experts in Sports Medicine & Sports Chiropractic & Treat patients in the state-of-the-art BIOFREEZE® Sports & Rehabilitation Center If you are looking for a career in healthcare offering tremendous personal satisfaction, professional success and an income commensurate with your position as a Doctor of Chiropractic, contact Logan University today, "Northwestern Health Sciences University is committed to being the nation's university of choice in natural health care education. Northwestern features an exceptional curriculum, outstanding faculty, groundbreaking research, and a wealth of clinical training opportunities for our students." - Mark Zeigler, DC, President NORTHWESTERN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVEFSITY 2501 West 84th Street, Bloomington, MN 5543I (9521800) 888-4777, ext. 409 www.nwhealth.edu Northwestern Health Sciences University offers exceptional programs in CHIROPRACTIC, ACUPUNCTURE, ORIENTAL MEDICINE, MASSAGE THERAPY, and INTEGRATIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS.