8A - Friday, November 3, 2006 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 'M' pumped for big rival 4 NCAA hopes afloat after big Blue victory ByAMBER COLVIN Daily Sports Writer It's been a long time - 731 days, to be exact. The game on Nov. 20, 2004, accomplished something the cur- rent Michigan roster might be a little unfamiliar with: a win over Michigan State. It's not like the Wolverines haven't had their chances. Almost every time they've matched up against their intrastate rival, the game has gone down to the wire. Six of the lasteightgames against the Spartans went into overtime. Five of those ended in a tie. Michigan's record in those con- tests is a disappointing0-3-5. This season, there's a whole group of Wolverines who don't want that trend to continue. "I hate green and white, and I know everybody in the locker room does, too," sophomore forward DannyFardigsaid. "We tied enough last year. We need a win." The opportunity to do what they haven't done in almost two years will come tonight, when the ninth- ranked Wolverines take on No. 5 Michigan State at Munn Ice Arena in the opener of the home-and- home series. It's the first road game in Mich- igan's (1-1-0 CCHA, 4-2-0 overall) home-heavy schedule. Each teamhas one blemish on its CCHA record. Michigan's comes from a 4-1 loss to defending CCHA champion Miami (Ohio). The Spar- tans (1-1-0, 3-1-0) lostto CCHA bot- tom-feeder Western Michigan. Entering the season, the Wolver- ines were picked to finish first in the CCHA by the media and second in the coaches' poll. Michigan State was slotted first by the coaches and second by the media. Similar records, polls and stand- ings in the CCHA (both are part of a five-waytie for sixth) suggest that another tie might be inevitable. But coaches and players alike insist that Michigan is stepping it up for the rivalry - and that should make a difference. "Last year, a couple of the games we tied we should have won," Mich- igan coach Red Berenson said. "We have something to prove.... There's some pride on the line." Said senior forward David Rohlfs: "It's our rival, right across town. Every time we play them, the intensity's a little more the week before. Getting ready for it every day, you're just getting more and more into it and wanting to play that game on Friday." A complete weekend of intense play is a bit foreign to Michigan. After the firsttwo weekends of play, both of the Wolverines' series have ended in splits. Michigan tends to come out blazing one night, then sit back as a vengeful team takes away any chance of a weekend sweep. It hap- pened the first week of the season with the RedHawks,thenlast week- end with unranked Northeastern. "We've got to continue for two games instead of just the one," Far- Senior forward David Rohlfs and his Wolverine teammates will take n Entrastate rival and CCHA foe Michigan State this weekend. By ROBERT KAITZ Daily Sports Writer Michigan women's soccer player Lindsey MacDonald must have a knack for good timing. The junior midfielder's first collegiate goal pro- pelled INDIANA 1 the Wol- MICHIGAN 2 verines to a crucial first-round Big Ten Tournament win over No. 4 seed- ed Indiana 2-1 at chilly State Col- lege. The victory greatly bolsters Michigan's chances of earning a berth to the NCAA Tournament and avenges a 2-1 loss to the Hoo- siers earlier in the season. Early in the first half, Indi- ana (5-5-1 Big Ten, 9-8-4 over- all) opened the scoring, with a little help from their opponents. A Michigan defender inadvertently headed the ball past senior goal- keeper Megan Tuura at 15:22. The cards appeared stacked against the fifth-seeded Wol- verines (5-3-3, 10-6-5), until the Hoosiers also joined in the giv- ing holiday spirit a few weeks too early. Another own-goal provided the tying marker four minutes later, when an attempted Indiana clear went the wrong way. "We had some chances, and then Indiana's first chance ended up in our net on the own goal," Michigan coach Debbie Radem- acher said. "It really just felt good to come back down and get that goal, any way possible." And then MacDonald came up huge for Michigan. Senior striker Judy Coffman sent a corner into the penalty box. Although Indiana won the airball, a clearing header went over to the far post. MacDonald was in the perfect spot at the perfect time, and she volleyed home a rocket to the upper right corner at 28:18 that held up as the game-winner. "I was far post, and, normally, the ball doesn't come to me," Mac- Donald said. "I had this feeling so I was really ready. I inched in towards the goal a little more and the ball went right to my foot." MacDonald and other less- experienced Wolverines have been a surprise story for the team. Their play in the midfield has been solid in the absence of starting midfielders Danelle Underwood and Jamie Artsis, both lost to sea- son-ending injuries in the middle of the season. "It's really satisfying to look to the whole team and be confi- dent that anyone can contribute," Rademacher said. Another story of the season has been the team's shut-down defense, and it did not let up last night. Indiana mustered just nine total shots, and Tuura made four saves to ensure that the lead held. Michigan has little time to savor the clutch victory. It will face tournament host and No. 12 Penn State tonight at 7:30 p.m. 4 dig said. "That's what we're looking to do: find some consistency and find some persistence." One constant in Michigan's lineup, standout defenseman Jack Johnson, won't be on the ice tonight in East Lansing. The soph- omore received a game disqualifi- cation after confronting a Husky forward who charged Wolverine netminder Billy Sauer. Johnson threw several punches and was escorted off the ice. "I just told Jack, 'I think you did the right thing. I just wish that we didn't lose you,' " Berenson said. "We have to overcome that." Johnson often leads Michigan in ice time. Last Friday's game against Northeastern, he saw a team-high 30:06 of play. Senior Tim Cook will attempt to fill that void, returning to his natu- ral position on the blue line. He has played forward all season because of a wealth of defensemen. Senior Morgan Ward will occupy Cook's vacancy up front. The Johnson-less Wolverines want to stop that 731-day drought tonight - and a weekend sweep wouldn't be too bad, either. "We haven't done as well as we want to do against Michigan State," Berenson said. "We've got to take a step forward." 4 Tennant, Wolverines redeemed with win in first round of Big Tens By JAMIE JOSEPHSON Daily Sports Writer Sept. 17 is a day that Chase Tennant of the Michi- gan men's soccer team would probably like to forget. Michigan dropped its Big Ten season opener against Wisconsin in overtime as a result of an own goal caused by Tennant. But against the Badgers WISCONSIN. 0 in yesterday's first-round MICHIGA N 1 Big Ten Tournament game in Columbus, the sophomore earned his chance to erase that bitter memory. And with the Wolverines fighting for an NCAA bid they can only receive if they win the tournament, the timing couldn't have been better. After a scoreless first half, Michigan led the attack in the second frame. Crossing the half line, sopho- more Steve Bonnell struck a 60-yard ball diagonally through traffic to freshman Mauro Fuzetti. Faced with a one-on-one matchup, Fuzetti took his Wis- consin defender on the dribble and hit a cross to Ten- nant standing on the back side of the goal. In the 67th minute, Tennant nailed a header into the left side of Wisconsin's net, giving the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. "Chase went up like a salmon spawning upstream (and scored the goal)," Michigan coach Steve Burns said. "To get the game-winner, I'm sure it was a lot of redemption for him." The one-goal advantage proved enough for the No. 6 seed Michigan to upset No. 3 seed Wisconsin. Com- ing off a recent nine-game winless streak and four- game scoreless skid, Tennant's goal - his first of the season - shouted a loud-and-clear message to the rest of the Big Ten teams in Columbus: The Wolver- ines are back and foaming at the mouth for a miracle post-season run. "After our game against Wisconsin (on Sept. 17), we really feltlike we were the better teambut just ran out of time in that game," Burns said. "We were just hopingthatwe would (face) Wisconsin in the tourna- ment. We had 90 minutes to show up and prove that we are the better team, and we did. ... Right now, we have that belief and the momentum." Michigan (1-2-3 Big Ten, 7-9-4 overall) came out aggressively against Wisconsin. The Wolverines cre- ated several scoring opportunities in the first half, but failed to convert. Less than two minutes into game, Wisconsin goalkeeper Jake Settle made a diving save to prevent Michigan sophomore Alex Morisset from hitting net from six yards out. In the 15th minute of play, senior tri-captain Kevin Hall struck a ball 17 yards out toward the upper right corner of the Badgers' net. But Settle just got a hand on the ball, causing it to hit the upper crossbar - preventing Michigan from get- ting on the scoreboard. By the game's end, Michigan outshot Wisconsin 22 to nine. On the defensive end, the Wolverines silenced the Badgers' attack with goalkeeper Patrick Sperry - who was named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday - notching two saves. Six minutes into the second half, Sperry made a div- ing save on a Wisconsin shot from 19 yards out. Burns said most of the credit for containing Wis- consin (3-2-1, 9-8-2) goes to Michigan's back four - sophomore Michael Holody, senior Michael O'Reilly, senior Kevin Savitske and Tennant. "We felt that our central midfield was better than Wisconsin's, so we forced them to play a direct and predictable game," Burns said. "Our defenders won a lot of balls coming at them in the air. More impor- tantly, we picked up those second balls ... It was a good defensive effort from the team." Michigan's upset earned it the right to play host Ohio State - the No. 2 seed - in the semifinals tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. When the Wolverines last faced the Buckeyes on Oct. 22, the game ended in a 0-0 draw after double overtime. Michigan is certainly the underdog, but Burns sticks by his mantra of "belief." "More than anything, we're talking to the team about our focus, taking it one game at a time," Burns said. "We do have a bit of momentum. We had the jump in our warmup and that look in our eyes (yes- terday). I want to believe that we are in form and peaking right now. It took long enough to get there, and hopefully it pays off." Senior Lester Abram led the Wolverines with 19 points on the way to a season-opening victory over Wayne State. Cagers wallop Warriors v --U Voted Best Used CDs 2005 PJ's RECORDS & USED CDS 617 Packard Upstairs from Subway Paying $4 to $ for top CD's in top condition. Also baying premium LP's and cassettes. Open 7 days 663-3441 The selection is ENDLESS SPRING BREAK INFORMATION 800-488-8828 www.sa ndpiperbeacon.com FREE SPRING BREAK MODEL SEARCH CALENDAR .VALD FOR FIRST 1000 RESERVATIONS. The Michigan Law School . Native American Law Students Association presents Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, and Manifest Destiny By Professor Robert J. Miller of Lewis & Clark Law School and Chief Justice of the Court of Appealsfor the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde ":" pm - .:0p Monday, November 6,2007 Hutchins Hall, 625 S. State Street, Room 120 Free and open to the public By MARK GIANNOTTO Daily Sports Writer It was just one game, but it might be a sign of things to come. All preseason, Michigan bas- ketball coach Tommy Amaker said this year's team will WAYNE STATE 51 go only as MICHIGAN 85 far as the seniors lead it. And last night, they led the Wolverines to a blowout 85-51 win over Wayne State in the first of Michigan's two exhibitions. With a 17-10 lead at the 10- minute mark of the first half, the seniors simply took over. Wayne State started the game in a compact 2-3 zone to counteract Michigan's huge height advantage. (The Warriors don't have a player on their roster taller than6 foot 5). With no looks inside, senior Les- ter Abram threw a skip pass over the defense to wide- open senior Dion Harris, who knocked down PURPLE&BLACK WHITEON BLACK RED& BLACK ON SILVER ON WHITE MAIL ORDER T-SHIRTS $16 EA(POSTAGE INC) S-XL 1 R VE ER C1 BUMPER STICKERS 3/$5.50 SEEMAGESAT: BENTOM.COMBADBUSH SENDORDERS & ADRIANI SCREENPRINT CHECKS TO: AN00RPONTIAC TRAIL ANN ARBORMI 481115 his first of three 3-pointers on the night. The next time down the floor Abram and Harris did the exact same thing to give the Wolverines a23-10 lead. After a defensive stop, senior Brent Petway showed off his new array of post moves, hit- ting a turnaround jumper to put Michigan up by 15. Abram followed up on the next possession with a nice one-handed tip-in off a Harris miss. And Har- ris capped off the 12-0 run with a mid-range jumper of his own to give Michigan a 29-10 lead. "We just started playing better team basketball," Petway said. "All of us were being so unselfish. Dion was looking for me, I was looking for Dion and Lester was looking for both of us. It was just a matter qf a great team basketball concept." Things didn't start off so smoothly for the Wolverines. Sloppy play characterized the beginning of the contest for both teams. Early on, Michigan made it a point to feed the post. Unfor- tunately, senior Courtney Sims botched several layups, leaving the Wolverines scoreless for more than three minutes. But things finally started to get rolling when Abram nailed two straight 3-pointers to give Michi- gan a 6-2 lead. "They were packing it in (on the interior), so it just left me open," Abram said. Abram and Harris led the team in scoring with 19 and 13 points, respectively. For Abram, it was his first game back with the Wolverines after missing most of the Big Ten sea- son last year. He didn't seem to miss a beat and showed off a wide array of perimeter skills. "I wasn't out of sync or any- thing like that because of all the practice time with the team, and all the basketball over the sum- mer," Abram said. "I was just out there playing basketball, and it was good to play ball." The Crisler Arena crowd got a scare halfway through the second half when Abram fell to the floor in pain after committing a charge. Luckily for Abram and Michigan, it seems it was a harmless shot to the midsection. On the other end of the floor, Petway controlled the paint with eight total rebounds and four blocks. Last night also saw the debut of Michigan's freshman class. All six saw extensive action. And as can be expected, they had their ups and downs. Forward Epke Udoh showed off some post skills and finished with four rebounds, but missed an alley- oop attempt halfway through the first half. 6-foot-8 DeShawn Sims opened up his collegiate career by having his dunk blocked by 6- foot-4 Wayne State forward Wynn Sarden. But on the next possession he came down the floor and exe- cuted a smooth spin move down the baseline for an easy lay-up. Guard Reed Baker may have left the most lasting impression of the freshmen. Despite committing some careless turnovers at point guard, he nailed all four of his 3- point attempts and finished the game with 13 points. But the Wolverines won't need to count on those freshmen if the seniors come to play like they did last night. "This was our first chance to play against somebody other than ourselves, and we knew right away that (the seniors) had to step up for the young guys to show it's sup- posed to be done," Petway said. "You have to play your hardest to show them what's acceptable and what's not acceptable." i I