The Michigan soccer team has come a long way in a short time.
In the span of one season the Wolverines (4-4-1 Big Ten, 10-7-3 overall) have progressed from a group of talented individuals into a cohesive team.
This transformation was the driving force behind their success in the second half of the year, which included a seven-game unbeaten streak. They also were able to battle No. 11 Wisconsin to a scoreless tie in Madison and notch a Big Ten tournament win over Ohio State.
The season had many high points, but there were some in particular that stood out to some of the Wolverines.
"I would have to say that the game against Northwestern which we won was the turning point for the season," Michigan coach Debbie Belkin said. "That was the start of our (unbeaten) streak, and it marked the point at which we started to really play as a team."
Freshman Mari Hoff, who became an integral part of the 1996 Wolverines, recalled other moments off the field.
"I really remember our trip to Seattle," Hoff said. "We didn't do that well in our games, but that was a great opportunity for us to bond as a team."
Belkin goes into each year expecting a lot from her players, but sometimes a particular member of the team shines a little brighter than the rest.
"Stephanie McArdle did a great job for us adjusting to a defensive role which was really new to her," Belkin said. "And Michele Brach really stepped up her play and turned in steady defense all year."
With the loss of only two players to graduation, the Wolverines will have a great deal of experience back next year. In the meantime, there will be some fine tuning.
Michigan is constantly on the lookout for the next "Great Wolverine," and the recruiting process is a tireless job for the Michigan coaching staff.
"Feb. 8 is the signing date, but we are constantly looking around the country for prospective recruits," Belkin said. "The Midwest and the East Coast have been particularly good areas."
Just because the season is over does not mean the work is over. The Wolverines will start their offseason conditioning program on Monday.
"If we want to get better, hard work in the strength and conditioning areas will be key," Belkin said.
With the experience and talent that the Wolverines bring to the table, it is realistic to expect a high level of play from them in the future.
When asked if Michigan can join the elites of women's soccer, Belkin said, "Hard work and good recruiting are key. The better we do, the better the players that come here will be."
Junior forward Karen Montgomery said, "Overall, the season went really well, but with the talent we had we could have gone much farther."
The Wolverines will be back next year, trying to do just that.
Junior Karen Montgomery helped the Wolverines win half of their Big Ten games this season and put together an impressive seven-game unbeaten streak that culminated in a victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten tournament.
DAMIAN PETRUSCO/Daily