'M' star joins her team atop conference

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Michigan's Amber Berendowsky won enough chases to the ball last week to receive Big Ten Player of the Week honors. The forward broke team records in goals, assists and points last weekend.

Michigan sophomore Amber Berendowsky was named Big Ten Player of the Week yesterday after breaking single-season team scoring, assist and point records this past weekend.

The forward scored her seventh and eighth goals of the season Friday, in a 6-0 thrashing of Wisconsin and added a goal and two assists Sunday in Michigan's 5-3 victory over Northwestern. Berendowsky now has nine goals and nine assists for 27 points on the season.

Her offensive performances have propelled the Wolverines to their best start ever. Michigan (4-0 Big Ten, 9-1 overall) is currently sitting atop the conference along with Penn State and Minnesota, who the Wolverines will face next weekend for first place. Michigan has won seven matches in a row, also a team record.

Berendowsky was tied for 14th in the nation and leading the Big Ten in individual scoring coming into last weekend. The team catalyst has at least one point in nine of Michigan's ten games.

"Amber is one of the best forwards in the Big Ten" Michigan coach Debbie Belkin said. "She's a scorer with a nose for the goal and a good passing touch."

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