Taking on the Big Ten is always a daunting task. The Michigan women's soccer team opens conference play with two colossal road battles in a three-day span.
The upcoming weekend will test the stamina of the Wolverines and should provide a indication of what to expect in the Big Ten.
First, Michigan travels to Columbus Friday for a meeting with the rival Buckeyes.
The Wolverines head into the game on a high, following their dramatic overtime victory over Utah at the Michigan soccer field. The win concluded a 3-2 non-conference season, but it's still the Wolverines' worst record in three years.
But hidden beneath its record is the fact that Michigan has outplayed each of its five opponents, and with some better finishes, could easily be undefeated.
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| MICHELLE SWELNIS/Daily The Michigan soccer team will face two tough conference foes on the road this weekend. The Wolverines battle Ohio State on Friday. Sunday, Michigan takes on Penn State. |
"We're getting the opportunities, which is all you can really ask for," Beitel said. "But you're not going to win games if you can't put the ball in the back of the net."
Beitel said the team's practices this past week focused heavily on finishing and putting scoring chances away.
If taking on the Buckeyes wasn't big enough, Michigan will depart straight from Columbus to Happy Valley on Sunday to tussle with the fourth-ranked and defending conference champion Nittany Lions. Penn State arrives at this game on the heels of a victory over North Carolina, an enduring dynasty in women's soccer.
"Penn State is definitely the team to beat in the Big Ten," Beitel said.
Surviving this weekend will not be easy for the Wolverines. Michigan coach Debbie Belkin will be without the services of star forward Amber Berendowsky. Berendowsky is still nursing a sprained ankle which has kept her out of all but one game this season.
For the time being, Belkin hopes others can step up their game.
One strong candidate to fill the void left by Berendowsky is freshman Abby Crumpton, who has shown promise in the non-conference games.
"Abby is is one of our more dynamic forwards," Beitel said. "She is capable of scoring lots of goals for us."
Crumpton and the rest of the Wolverines must contend with a devastating schedule this season.
With Purdue entering conference play, Michigan's schedule was thrown into chaos, and the Wolverines have ended up with an seemingly unbalanced schedule. Wisconsin and Northwestern, two teams Michigan played away last season, will be road games again this season.
While the schedule should provide a heavy challenge, it has not dampened the Wolverines hopes for a successful season.
"We have lots of tough games but we know we are a very good team," Beitel said.
Slipping in the mud
The Michigan soccer team hasn't had such a quick start to this season. Here's a look at its early-season record in the past few years.
1999: 3-0-2 in first five games. The Wolverines have lost two out of the last three games
1998: 5-0 to start the season.
1997: 9-0-1 record in first 10 games.
09-16-99
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