'M' soccer advances with 4-2 win

WARREN ZINN/Daily Laurie Peterson and the Michigan soccer team ran past Xavier yesterday, 4-2, to win its first-ever NCAA Tournament game. The Wolverines face Notre Dame on Sunday at 1 p.m.

By Josh Borkin
Daily Sports Writer

No one expects a 5 year-old to accomplish a lot. But that's exactly what the Michigan soccer team disproved yesterday afternoon. The Michigan soccer team is only in its fifth year of existence, but it has already captured a Big Ten title, established itself as one of the top teams in the country and yesterday afternoon, the Wolverines won their first NCAA tournament game, 4-2, over Xavier.

Michigan did not fare well in the Big Ten tournament, but that did not deter the selection committee from giving the Wolverines a bid to the NCAA tournament.

Michigan proved its worth with a trouncing of the Atlantic 10 tournament champ, and will face fourth seed, bitter rival Notre Dame on Sunday at 1 p.m. in South Bend.

"This is a moment you can't even describe," senior defender Vanessa Lewis said. "We are just so happy to make it to the second round."

Michigan not only had to deal with a tough Xavier squad, but they faced brutal winds and cold temperatures. Winds gusted at speeds close to 30 miles per hour. And the temperature dropped to 37 degrees by the start of the second half. Many of the athletes were wearing gloves and lycra leggings under their uniforms to combat the brutal temperatures. The wind was so strong that a punt by the Xavier goalie turned backwards toward the goalie in mid-air and went out of bounds.

"This was not cold," Shannon Poole said. "We have played in cold weather and this wasn't bad, but controlling the ball in the wind was tough for both teams."

Xavier coach Ron Quinn agreed with Poole.

"It was a matter of who was going to be able to play well against the wind and who was going to use the wind to their advantage. It was certainly a factor for both teams."

Xavier used the wind to its advantage in the opening minutes. At the 11:25 mark of the first half, Xavier's Erin Coley set up Annette Gruly, who scored from 15 yards out on a beautiful left-footer.

"We had to focus more on our defense after the goal," Lewis said. "We were a little lax at first, but we tightened up on them after that."

Michigan not only put an airtight seal on the defense, but the offense opened up the arsenal. The Wolverines answered seven minutes later when Laurie Peterson headed in a corner kick from Emily Schmitt.

Michigan claimed the lead at 22:09, when Shannon Poole hit the back of the net. The Wolverines increased their lead to 3-1 when Alissa Shaw netted her first collegiate goal, at 43:57.

"We had a lot of chances to score. And most times we were able to capitalize," Lewis said. "Our shooting

Cohesion is key to recent success

In college, no matter how great the athlete, he or she cannot carry the team alone.

The Michigan soccer team has learned a great deal about playing as a cohesive unit in the second half of the season. This reason is why it has become one of the most dangerous young teams in the tournament.

The Wolverines started the season with great expectations. Last season, they won their first Big Ten tournament title and received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Although they lost in the first round, they were extremely optimistic.

Michigan came out this season thinking that their star forwards, Amber Berendowsky and Jessica Limauro, could carry the team offensively and let the defense make the stops alone. They quickly found out that this style of play would be successful against weaker teams. But it took them some time to come to the realization that this strategy would fail against stronger competition.

"Early in the season each of us played defense as an individual," Vanessa Lewis said. "But after the Notre Dame game we realized that if the forwards help out defensively and we all swarm to the ball as a team we can shut down our opponents."

Though the Wolverines lost 1-0 in the second overtime, they played their most team-oriented game of the season against No. 5 Notre Dame.

"The Notre Dame game was the best team soccer we played all year," coach Debbie Belkin said. "We knew that we had to step up to the competition. And by playing a team-oriented defense we were able to contain one of the best offenses in the country."

Michigan lost to Brigham Young the next week, but again showed great promise of playing as a unit. Yesterday's victory against Xavier was the biggest victory in the team's brief history. But neither Berendowsky nor Limauro scored a goal. Rather, they set up freshmen, role players and played stellar defense in brutal conditions.

This weekend they head to Notre Dame for a rematch with the team that "cheated us out of victory," Lewis said.

Now it is their turn to make a statement, and show that "as a team (they) can beat anyone."

11-12-98