'M' blasts Butler, 7-1

By Sam Duwe

Daily Sports Writer

Kacy Beitel is an integral part of the Michigan women's soccer team. She sets up plays, makes assists and is constantly on the ball - she does everything, except score.

Until yesterday.

The Michigan senior captain scored three goals and added two assists, propelling the Wolverines to a 7-1 victory against Butler.

"As a captain, we expect her to score goals," Michigan coach Debbie Belkin-Rademacher said. "And today, she did her job. We'll be able to use her in Big Tens."

But if Beitel was good, the team was great. Michigan (6-3-1 Big Ten, 10-7-1 overall) scored six of their goals in the second half, destroying any hope of a Butler victory.

Sophomore Abby Crumpton added two goals and an assist, and Amber Wilson had one of each as well.

"We played all right the first half, but in the second half there was an explosion," Rademacher said. "And there were nice-looking goals - a couple headers and good corner kicks.

"And some of the goals were scored because Abby beat everyone to the ball."

This win didn't do anything for the Wolverines' ranking, but it meant everything for morale going into the Big Ten Tournament, which starts Thursday.

"We needed a high-scoring game, one where we could work on our offense," Rademacher said. "We need power going into the tournament."

Butler is no Notre Dame. The Irish pummeled Michigan just five days ago in a 5-1 romp. The No. 1 team took advantage of a poor-playing Michigan team, a team that needed to regroup.

Yesterday's victory does not inflate egos, but rather reassures the Wolverines that they can win, and win big.

Big wins are nothing new for Michigan, though. Last year, the Wolverines beat Butler 6-0. And also in 1999, Michigan took first place at the Big Ten Tournament.

"We've had a lot of success in the past three years," Rademacher said. "I don't believe that this year will be any different."