Soccer falls in double overtime to SEC foe

The No. 19 Michigan soccer team gained an excellent perspective this weekend on what it's going to take to win the Big Ten Tournament and advance far in the NCAAs.

In the Big Ten/SEC challenge this weekend, Michigan topped Alabama on Friday, 2-1, before falling to No. 14 Kentucky 1-0 in double overtime yesterday.

Kentucky was able to extend their winning streak to 15 games with the narrow victory.

Kentucky's goal came with just 7:53 left in the second overtime. Keri Boyce scored on a hard shot from inside the penalty area. Annie Gage assisted on the play.

Michigan had few scoring chances in the game, which is unusual for the team.

MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily Freshman Abby Crumpton has been a powerful offensive threat for the Michigan soccer team, but the Wolverines went silent yesterday, losing to Kentucky 1-0.

The win was the first one ever for the Wildcats over Michigan. Kentucky also won their earlier game of the Challenge on Friday against Minnesota, 2-0.

Scoring chances were no problem for Michigan against Alabama. But the Wolverines continued to struggle with finishing on their oppurtunities. Despite outshooting the Crimson Tide 35-4, Michigan gained just a one-goal victory.

Senior Emily Schmidt scored the deciding goal late in the second half. She won a loose ball after senior Amber Berdowsky's pass went errant, and promptly netted a long goal.

In the first half, Michigan took the lead when senior Kacy Beitel finished a pass from freshman Abby Crumpton.

The goal was the ninth of the year for Beitel, who is currently leading the team.

Alabama's lone goal came off of a corner kick. Martha Mouring knocked in the centered ball, which junior goalie Carissa Stewart couldn't get to.

Michigan's regular season has come to an end, and with it goes the security of knowing that there will always be another game to play.

Michigan will face Michigan State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament this Friday.

If the Wolverines are upset by the Spartans in the first round of the tournement, they'd have to sit and wait to see if their season would be extended by an at-large NCAA Tournement bid.

The Wolverines, who received the second seed in the Big Ten Tournement, need to end their finishing woes in order to achieve their goals for this season.

In order to accomplish one of those goals, Michigan will likely have to beat Michigan State, Iowa, and No. 5 Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament.

11-01-99