'M' soccer, ranked for first time ever, splits

Playing goalie in any sport is never easy. Well, maybe it is sometimes.

Michigan freshman goalie Carissa Stewart had as easy a first game Sunday as anyone has ever had. Stewart posted a shutout as No. 22 Michigan (3-1-0), ranked for the first time in team history, trounced New Hampshire, 6-0. Stewart did not even have to make a save as the Wildcats only managed one shot.

The blowout salvaged the weekend for the Wolverines, who dropped a tough 2-1 decision to No. 15 Massachusetts on Friday.

Michigan led Massachusetts, 1-0, at halftime on a goal by sophomore Emily Schmitt, just 15 minutes into the game. The goal was assisted by fellow sophomore and team scoring leader Amber Berendowsky.

Massachusetts provided all of the scoring in the second half, as Emma Kurowski tied the game on a penalty kick and Minutewoman freshman Kara Green nailed the game-winner with only three minutes left.

The Wolverines outshot the Minutewomen, 21-9, but Massachusetts goalie Danielle Dion was up to the task.

Yesterday proved to be a much different story for the Wolverines, as Michigan dominated both halves from start to finish. The game was even more lopsided than the 6-0 score would indicate - the Wolverines outshot the Wildcats, 27-1.

The list of stars was long yesterday, as seven different Wolverines scored points.

Freshman Kacy Beitel opened the scoring with her second goal of the season, just 2:56 into the game, on passes from Deb Flaherty and Mari Hoff.

Michigan scored once more in the first half when Schmitt added her second goal of the weekend 16 minutes later. Schmitt also picked up an assist in the second half.

Berendowsky spearheaded the Michigan charge, scoring five points on two goals and an assist, including a 35-footer at the second-half buzzer to end the game.

The sophomore from Brighton now has 11 points in four games and is well on her way to breaking her own team record for points in a season. As a freshman, Berendowsky scored 19 points in 20 games last year.

Flaherty assisted on both first-half goals. The two points were her first of the season. Flaherty is the Wolverines' all-time leading scorer with 45 career points.

Freshman Erin Gilhart opened the second-half scoring with her first collegiate goal. She headed in a corner kick from senior Ashley Marks to put the game out of reach.

Laura Fedrigo scored her first point of the young season as she and Marks set up Berendowsky seven minutes later, ending a Wolverine flurry of three goals in 10 minutes.

Michigan's defense continued its strong season over the weekend. Over four games, the Wolverines have only allowed 19 shots and three goals. Goalies Jessica Jones and Stewart have two shutouts between them and have both been solid this season.

MARGARET MYERS/Daily
The Michigan soccer team split this weekend, falling to Massachusetts, 2-1, then beating New Hampshire, 6-0.

09-08-97