Veteran forward duo sparks 'M' offense

For a once successful player to recover from an injury and return to the team, only to be a reserve can be a difficult predictament.

Michigan soccer seniors Amber Berendowsky and Marie Spaccarotella have experience this during their careers. But against Wright State, the two players got a chance to lead the team again in a very important game.

"The way our team played today, it was easy for us to connect," Spaccarotella said.

Berendowsky scored a goal and had two assists, and Spaccarotella netted two goals. They demonstrated how deep Michigan is at the forward position, and how they could have been starting for many other teams.

"Coming off the bench, I want to go out and prove myself more," Berendowsky said.

Berendowsky looked like a wizard against the Raiders, showing the passing vision and finishing touch that yesterday made her the Big Ten's all-time assist leader.

Her lone goal came off a long clear. Berendowsky collected the ball around half field, carried it all the way to the box, and slipped it by Wright State goalie Randi Freeman.

"It's just like reaction most of the time," Berendowsky said. "You just have to shoot it where the goalie's not."

Her confidence seemed to rise after she gave Michigan the lead, and she became involved in every Michigan scoring chance. When she collected the ball in the Wright State zone, she showed the creativity that made her a star at Michigan.

Berendowsky's most spectacular play of the day won't show up in stat books. On Michigan's second goal, she had a chance to try a tough shot with a defender right in front of her. Instead, she faked a shot but let the cross run through her legs, fooling the Wright State defense and allowing Beitel to score.

Spaccarotella's two goals both came off assists from Berendowsky. She was able to accept the passes behind the Wright State defense, and beat Freeman one-on-one.

"I really don't think about anything but being relaxed," Spaccarotella said. "I don't want to get too excited in that situation."

With yesterday's effort, the two forwards reminded fans of past successes in a year where they have often been overshadowed.

Both players have come off the bench this year at the forward position behind junior Kacy Beitel and freshman Abby Crumpton. They've seen substantial playing time in every game, but there was a time when Spaccarotella and Berendowsky were thought to be the future at the Michigan forward position.

Spaccarotella had an excellent freshman campaign, but a knee injury caused her to sit out her sophomore season. Berendowsky came into this season holding many of Michigan's offensive records, but a summer ankle injury opened the door for Crumpton to start.

"The beginning of the season didn't start off like I wanted it to," Berendowsky said, "but I'm definitely not going to look back."

11-11-99