The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 27, 1995 - 13
cekem aim
ue wi
Donald Adamek
ly Sports Writer
Indiana's Bill Armstrong Stadium
s seen little action lately, but that is
out to change.
The Michigan women's soccer team
-5-1 Big Ten, 5-10-2 overall) closes its
nference season in Bloomington to-
y. It will be Indiana's~(2-2-1, 6-8-1)
t home game since Oct. 4. The field,
wever, will be the site for the Big Ten
ampionships starting Nov. 3.
For the Wolverines, the game basi-
Ily amounts to a tune-up and a chance
get used to the field before the con-
rence tournament.
"There is no pressure for us to win,"
ichigan coach Debbie Belkin said.
e have nothing to lose. A win won't
ise our seed ... it is not a do-or-die
me."
For the Hoosiers, the game has more
gnificance. They own a .500 confer-
ce record and the contest's outcome
J1 impact who they face in the tourna-
nt next week. Indiana is looking for
provement from an offense that av-
ges 1.21 goals a game.
We have
othing to lose. A
in won't raise our
eed... it is not a
o-or-die same."
- Debbie Belkin
Michigan women's
soccer coach
"They play a direct game," said
elkin. "They use long balls. They're
aggressive, fast team."
The Wolverines' last hope for a con-
rence victory hinges on their ability
capitalize on an Indiana defense sur-
ndering over two goals a game. Michi-
n is slowed by injuries, however.
op-goal scorer Ruth Poulin sprained
rankle in practice this week and will
t be available. Tri-captain Michele
rach is hindered by a broken toe but is
pected to play.
Midfielder Wendy Dillinger and for-
ard Amy Friedreich are Indiana's key,
ayers. The duo is responsible for a
ird of the team's shots and nine of the
oosiers' 19 goals this season.
Women swimmers
face tough Wildcats
By Chris Murphy
Daily Sports Writer
Throughout this young season, the
No. 1 Michigan women's swimming
team has had one thing in mind:
Constant improvement.
For the Wolverines, success is not
necessarily measured in terms of wins
and losses. In the early part of the sea-
son, the goal is to develop a team that
can be competitive in the post-season.
With matches against national con-
tenders like this weekend's opponent,
Northwestern, Michigan's performance
can serve as a barometer for its im-
provement thus far.
"I'm less concerned about winning
and losing the meet than Iam about how
we perform, how fit we look and how
we race structurally," coach Jim
Richardson said. "Those are the things
that need to be addressed first.
"You can't be so concerned about
winning and losing that you are ignor-
ing the things that are most important."
This week, the team has practiced
well and Michigan hopes that can trans-
late into a competitive performance this
weekend.
"I'm really pleased with this week's
training," Richardson said. "This has
been just a great week."
With that under their belts, the Wol-
verines face a Northwestern squad that
is one of the top teams in the country.
The Wildcats finished I lth inthe NCAA
tournament last spring.
Despite losing several swimmers to
graduation, Northwestern still returns
most of its nucleus. Add to that an
impressive freshman crop and the Wild-
cats should provide stiff competition
for the Wolverines in most events.
Richardson credits Northwestern's
balance for its ability to compete at a
high level.
"(The Wildcats) are a very good
team," Richardson said. "They don't
have any glaring weaknesses in my
mind right now."
The heart of Northwestern's squad is
its seniors. All the members of this
group have garnered numerous honors
in their careers, and they represent the
Wildcats' hopes of a National Champi-
onship this year.
Kim Patten, an All-American in the
middle-distance and freestyles, as well
as the backstroke, leads Northwestern.
Patten is also a Big Ten
Champion.Joining Patten are All-
Americas Merideth Booker, Laura
Yenglin and Margaret Bendenstein.
One of the Wildcats' bright young
swimmers is Joy Stover. The sopho-
more is the team's top mile runner and
500-meter freestyle swimmer.
To counter Northwestern's stacked
lineup, Michigan will feature a group of
swimmers that can probably match up
with any team in the country.
Junior Rachel Gustin and senior co-
captain Beth Jackson lead the Wolver-
ines. While both Gustin and Jackson
were double-event winners last week-
end against Stanford, they should bd
tested again this week.
In order to win, the Wolverines will
look to take the breaststroke, the 50
meter freestyle and the individual medi
ley. Michigan relay teams were able to
set pool records in the 400-meter med-
ley and 400-meter freestyle relays last
weekend in Canham Natatornum.
However, Northwestern's balance of
talent could present a problem for the
Wolverines. Michigan's lack of depth
in events like the mile and the 200-
meter freestyle could cost the team a
victory Saturday.
The Michigan field hockey team looks to break a 3-game conference losing streak tomorrow in Happy Valley.
Stickerslo o eon
No. 10 Michigan
By Jed Rosenthal
Daily Sports Writer
No one likes to lose. Practice upon
practice is supposed to produce divi-
dends at game time.
The No. 10 Michigan field hockey
team, after winning six of seven early in
the season, is struggling in conference
games.
The Wolverines beat Central Michi-
gan, 5-0, Tuesday, but have still dropped
four of their past five Big Ten games
including three straight.
This weekend's road trip to Colum-
bus and Happy Valley concludes the
Wolverines' regular season.
Today, Michigan (3-5 Big Ten, 11-7
overall) battles Ohio State with the hopes
of curing its current woes.
The Wolverines beat the Buckeyes,
3-0, Oct. 8 when their new field was
dedicated to Phyllis Ocker. That vic-
tory was their last in conference play.
Michigan's recent losing spell may
be attributed to its lack of firepower in
the second half. The final 35 minutes
have proven to be most unfriendly to
the Wolverines, as early leads have
been quickly relinquished.
"We have to stay strong in the second
finishes season 1n Happy Valley
We've never been outplayed by any
Big Ten team. We can play with any
team."
- Aaleya Koreishi
Michigan field hockey player
half," co-captain Aaleya Koreishi said.
"We have to concentrate on playing
hard and playing together in the second
half. We saw it happen against Penn
State last time."
Yet no matter who the competition
is, Koreishi feels that Michigan has
never been out of a game.
"We've neversbeen outplayed by any
Big Ten team," she said. "We can play
with any team."
For the most part, the senior is cor-
rect. But Koreishi and the Wolverines
may try to block out their performance
Oct. 6 against the Lady Lions when
they play them Sunday. Michigan found
itself up, 3-1, with under 10 minutes
remaining only to watch Penn State (4-
4, 10-8) storm back and win the game,
4-3, in the final minutes. The most accurate prognosticator will receive a $15 gift certificate to Steve and
"We played strong against (Penn Barry's University Sportswear. Contestants are limited to five entries per week.
State). Our passing was really good," 1. Minnesota at MichIgan 14. Clemson at Georgia Tech
Koreishi said. "We just have to finish 2. Iowa at Ohio State 15. Virginia Tech at West Virginia
opportunities and score." 3, Michigan State at Wisconsin 16. Arizona State at Oregon
Passing is a crucial element to the 4. Northwestern at Illinois 17. Oklahoma at Missouri
Wolverines' game. It could be the de- 5. Indiana at Penn State 18. Utah State at Utah
ciding factor in their success. 6. Boston College at Notre Dame 19. Bowling Green at W. Michigart
"We have to work on being aware 7. Kansas at Kansas State.20. Miami (Ohio) at Central Michigan
and moving into spaces," Michigan ~ ~ a ooao2.EsenMcia tTld
coach Patti Smith said. "When our pass- 8. Nebraska at Colorado 21. Eastern Michigan at Toledo
ing is on, we have opportunities." 9. Southern Cal at Washington.22. Cornell at Brown
Scoring opportunities have been few 10. Florida at Georgia 23. Columbia at Princeton
and far between for the Wolverines, but 11. Ark. vs. Auburn @ Little Rock, Ark. 24. Dartmouth at Harvard
Tuesday's outburst may have set the 12. Hawaii at Brigham Young 25, Pennsylvania at Yale
foundation for this weekend's contests. 13. East Carolina at Southern Miss.
Koreishi summed up what is on the Tiebreaker - Minnesota at Michigan, total points:
Wolverines' minds. NAME: PHONE:
"Revenge will be the key."
pikers hot
Y Doug Stevens
iiy Sports Writer
All season long, the Michigan vol-
yball team has been cruising along.
In fact, during its first 18 games of
e season, the Wolverines have only
st consecutive matches once and have
lso enjoyed a four-match winning
treak. Now, Michigan has lost its last
ree matches to the Big Ten's top three
ams.-
Before hitting the road for three
atches, Michigan (6-5 Big Ten, 12-9
>verall) had won its previous two con-
sts and was alone in fourth place with
6-2 conference mark.
The Wolverines subsequently got
wept by nationally ranked foes Penn
tate, Ohio State and Michigan State.
ost recently, Michigan fell to the first-
lace Spartans (15-5, 15-8, 15-10)
ednesday.
Forperhaps the first time this season,
de Wolverines are going to have to
arner a big conference win when the
hips are down. Michigan's ability to
vercome adversity will be tested to-
orrow when it plays Iowa (2-8, 9-12)
t Cliff Keen Arena.
The loss to the Spartans dropped
ichigan to fourth place - a signifi-
ant spot because it would almost guar-
ntee the Wolverines an NCAA Tour-
ament berth.
"We have a goal and that is pretty
learly accomplished finishing in the
p four (in the Big Ten)," coach Greg
iovanazzi said. "This match is really
rucial."
Despite the Hawkeyes' poor record,
ichigan can expect a long, tough
)e to end
match. In anticipation of the I
Wolverines spent the week
more on Saturday's match
Wednesday's contest with
State.
To justify the need to be
prepared for this match, the W
need not search further back
weeks ago. The Hawkeyes ga,
gan all it could handle Sept. 2
City. The Wolverines finallya
Iowa (12-15, 15-10, 15-12,
10) in a five-game thriller.
"I think the confidence leve
good," Giovanazzi said. "We'
(the Hawkeyes). We won't
Iowa lightly. They are too go
to be 2-8."
Michigan will have toplay
without the services of
Ruschiensky, one of its bes
hitters. Ruschiensky re-injure(
in the Michigan State match
miss the Iowa game. Shareen]
continue to fill in for Ruschi
she has throughout her abseni
"(We have gotten) a little bi
playing without (Kristen)," Gi
said. "Hopefully, Shareen will
to improve."
Because of Iowa's poor bloc
Wolverines should focus pa
on its offensive executi
Hawkeyes are currently ranke,
losing streak
battle, the the Big Ten in blocks per game. Just as
focusing the Wolverines' top attackers like Sh-
than on annon Brownlee, Suzy O'Donnell and
Michigan Jeanine Szczesniak have exposed other
poor blocking teams, they should be
properly able to execute against Iowa. Such was
olverines the case in Michigan's last match with
than four Iowa, when the Wolverines had four
ve Michi- players accumulate double-digit kill
9 in Iowa totals to contribute to a team total of 71.
overcame While the Wolverine attackers will
4-15, 15- be looking to expose the Hawkeye de-
fense, Iowa will also be striving to take
- is pretty advantage ofa Michigan blocking front
vebeaten that is currently ranked last in the Big
be taking Ten. Michigan will have to contend
od a team with Hawkeye attackers Jennifer Webb
and Katy Fawbush, both of whom tal-
thematch lied 20 kills in the first match between
Kristen the two teams.
t outside
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