Michigan soccer looks to shoot down Eagles

Whether it's a prom date or a Michigan soccer game, whoever controls the tempo controls the situation.

So when the 16th-ranked Wolverines (4-0) travel to Eastern Michigan for a 4 p.m. matchup with the Eagles (3-2) this afternoon, tempo will be critical.

After all, Eastern likes to play a physical game with a long-ball attack.

Michigan, on the other hand, likes to use its speed and passing game to its advantage.

If Eastern can bully the Wolverines for the entire 90 minutes, it might be able to pull off a win. Otherwise the Eagles might end up like Detroit did this weekend.

Sunday, the Titans prevented Michigan from getting into the rhythm they wanted, and except for two costly mistakes, largely controlled Michigan's high-powered offense for the first half.

But controlling Michigan tired the Titans in the second half, and Michigan took over the match en route to a 3-1 victory.

Michigan coach Debbie Belkin was a little concerned at first with the struggling Michigan offense, but knew that eventually the Wolverines would be able to overtake the Titans.

"Detroit came out in a formation that didn't allow us to move, so we had to get into a physical battle with them, which is their game," Belkin said. "But once we figured things out we got our chances."

Belkin didn't have to worry too much, with the Michigan defense allowing just six shots.

Still, physical play always poses a threat for Michigan.

Eastern plays much like Detroit, and therefore Belkin wants to force the Eagles to play Michigan's style.

"They are always a real physical team," Belkin said. "One of our strengths is our passing, so we are going to try and make it into a running game.

"We are going to make them play our style, and they are going to have to adjust to our game."

Not only is Michigan a deeper team offensively and defensively, but it also has history on its side.

The Wolverines have dominated Eastern in the past three years with 5-1, 7-1 and 4-0 victories over the Eagles.

Eastern must also stop junior forward Emily Schmitt, who has three goals and an assist in the teams' past two meetings.

Junior forward Jessica Limauro also has a goal in each of those meetings.

But the Eagles might have one advantage - Eastern Michigan coach Paul Scicluna coached many of the Wolverines in club soccer. Many of the players on both teams have played with each other before.

"We played club with a lot of those girls, and they're just solid players. They're aggressive, they hustle," junior Mari Hoff said. "Their coach is our old club coach. He knows us too well."

Still, Hoff said she believes that if the Wolverines can halt the physical play and strike first against the Eagles, it will be another blowout for Michigan.

"If we score right away it will definitely get us going," Hoff said.

The Wolverines are hoping to start off with a win against Eastern to get their three-game road trip off to a good start.

Big Ten rivals Wisconsin and Penn State await the Wolverines for matches later in the week.

09-15-98