Soccer unbeaten in Big Ten play

The Michigan soccer team remains undefeated in the Big Ten, winning two crucial conference games this past weekend.

Yesterday's 3-2 victory in Evanston should have been a blowout. Northwestern entered the game in the basement of the Big Ten.

Similar to its pervious games, the Wolverines (7-0-1 Big Ten, 10-3-1 overall) not take over the flow of the game in the first half. Neither team scored at the half's end.

But true to form, the Wolverines took over in the second half. In the half's fourth minute, Kacy Beitel scored from the top of the box.

Seconds later, Northwestern (0-6-1, 2-10-1) responded with a goal by Brooke Bell. Bell added her second goal of the game in the 56th minute to put the Wildcats ahead 2-1.

MICHELLE SWELNIS/Daily Michigan's Vicky Whitley (17) uses her head to help beat the Spartans in a wet affair on Friday, 3-1.

With its back to the wall, Michigan showed true courage. The Wolverines scored two goals in a four minute span, putting them ahead for good. Abby Crumpton and Emily Schmitt scored the goals.

On Friday, Michigan beat in-state rival Michigan State 3-1.

"It's always a huge rivalry. I know pretty much everyone on their team," Michigan senior captain Shannon Poole said.

The Wolverines had to win their fourth straight game in the series in a downpour.

The weather hampered the offensive attack of both teams in the scoreless first half. But in the second half, Michigan adjusted its play to win the game, 3-1.

"In these types of games, the scrappiest team will win," Michigan coach Debbie Belkin said. "We played a lot better in the second half."

Despite outshooting the Spartans, 12-4, in the first half, the Wolverines did not show control of the game.

"This type of whether is not to our advantage because we are a possession team," Beitel said.

Michigan's best first half opportunity came in the 43rd minute. The Wolverine defense cleared the ball out to senior Amber Berendowsky at midfield. Berendowsky led Crumpton down the left wing. Crumpton drove the ball towards the goal and struck a shot wide right.

Belkin's halftime adjustments showed immeadiatly. The ball barely left Spartan territory in the half's first ten minutes. The Wolverines challenged Spartan goalie Sara Kloosterman early and often.

In the 59th minute, the Wolverines solved Kloosterman. With the ball on the left wing, Berendowsky drove a cross to the right post. The ball sailed through Kloosterman's outreached hands to Beitel's head. The goal was Beitel's sixth of the season. Berendowsky's assist put her one behind Big Ten all-time mark of 31.

Just one minute later, Schmitt made the score 2-0. After a poor defensive clearance, Schmitt found herself with the ball 10 yards from the goal. Her left footed strike landed in the upper-right corner.

After controlling the ball from the back in the 70th minute, Wolverine midfielder Mari Hoff dribbled into Spartan territory. Hoff fed a through ball from 25-yards out to striker Marie Spaccarotella. Spaccarotella's shot inched under the crossbar, making the score 3-0.

As the game neared its end, Michigan allowed its first second half, Big Ten Goal. Michigan State midfielder Meghan Kolbe tapped in a goal from 4-yards out. Kim Corcoran assisted on the goal.

In her first game of the rivalry, freshman defender Amy Sullivant played strong from the back. Freshman Andrea Kayal's first half injury made Sullivant's effort crucial. As usual, sweeper Alissa Shaw and goalkeeper Carissa Stewart steadied the Wolverine defensive effort.

"The Wolverines are a very dangerous team," Michigan State coach Tom Saxton said, "If you give them opportunities, they will make you pay."

10-11-99