When freshman Abby Crumpton fielded a cross on a half volley and put it past the Vanderbilt goalie, she didn't get excited by her first collegiate goal.
And it wasn't until after the Michigan soccer team's 3-0 win over the Commodores that it dawned on Crumpton that she had achieved a major first in her career.
"During the game I just saw the score, but after the game I got excited that I got my first goal," Crumpton said.
Six months ago, while in high school, Crumpton would have been surprised to hear that she would make an impact this year. She never expected to be the team's leading scorer seven games into the season.
"I'd hoped to start, but I wasn't sure I was going to," Crumpton said, I'm just glad I could make the transition from club ball to college."
Michigan coach Debbie Belkin wasn't quite as surprised.
"She was a pretty accomplished high school player," Belkin said, "we had a feeling she was going to come in here and score some goals for us."
So now Crumpton has tallied four goals on the season, including two in a 2-1 win over Ohio State. She has quickly escaped the title of freshman with potential and has grown into a scorer.
Crumpton's speed and goal-finishing ability, as well as her ability to get past defenders, has made her an instant success at forward.
So far, most of Crumpton's goals have come off of crosses and rebounds. But in a summer scrimmage against Clemson, in which Crumpton had three goals, she scored on a breakaway down the sidelines that showed off her best talents.
"It was a long run, and then I fooled the goalie by going near post with the outside of my foot," Crumpton said.
Belkin was most impressed by one of Crumpton's goals against Ohio State.
"She read the play real well," Belkin said. "She made an 18-yard run into the box and finished it with a one-touch."
Crumpton feels the team has really helped her be successful by providing a supportive environment.
"No one acts jealous," Crumpton said, "I really love my teammates."
Despite the instant success, Belkin feels that Crumpton is maintaining a good attitude.
"She's pretty humble," Belkin said. "She knows she can still get better, and she wants to work on putting more goals away."
For now, Crumpton's main focus continues to be on Michigan's current season, which seems to have a large upside after Sunday's 0-0 draw with No. 4 Penn State. Crumpton took three shots, including a last second chance which Penn State goalie Emily Oleksiuk saved.
For the future, Crumpton hopes in her four years she will win a Big Ten regular-season title, win a Big Ten Tournament, and go far into the NCAA Tournament.
But she isn't setting long term stat goals for herself.
"I'm not going to put extra pressure on myself for stats," Crumpton said, "That stuff will just happen on its own."
09-22-99
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