The Michigan soccer team clearly has its share of Big Ten standouts. In highlighting the three athletes that stand out this season, it would be impossible to overlook the brightest star of all - junior Amber Star Berendowsky.
Yes, "Star" really is her middle name.
With five games remaining in the '98 season and another entire year of eligibility awaiting Berendowsky, she already owns every offensive record at Michigan except one - career goals.
Berendowsky's name rests atop Michigan statistics in points in a season (53), goals in a season (18), assists in a season (17), career assists (25), career points (87) and career game-winning goals (nine).
Berendowsky's cohort in offensive productivity is senior forward Jessica Limauro.
Limauro, who has already been honored as Big Ten offensive player of the week, also holds fifth-place rankings in three conference categories this season: scoring (21), goals scored (eight) and assists (five).
On the defensive front, there is one player whose dominance draws attention - Vanessa Lewis.
Lewis is a no-nonsense player who pays no mind to big-name players on the opposing team while leading her defense.
The key to her success lies in her defensive motto.
"I pay no attention to who is dribbling the ball," Lewis remarks. "My job is simply to shut down whoever comes before me."
Lewis does much more than stop defenders, though.
She often serves as the first link in offensive drives while dribbling to midfield and passing to a sprinting forward.
Berendowsky, Limauro and Lewis are three key ingredients to Michigan's success.
10-12-98
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