Weekly Release #4

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 25 -- vs. Penn State (Michigan Soccer Field), 4 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 27 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 1 p.m.

LOOKING TO THE WEEK AHEAD
The Michigan women's soccer team (5-2 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) will return home to continue Big Ten action when it hosts Big Ten rival Penn State on Friday (Sept. 25) before taking to the road Sunday (Sept. 27) to face Ohio State. Here is a brief look at the upcoming opponents:

Penn State: The Nittany Lions and the Wolverines will be meeting for the seventh time. The last meeting was a 3-1 Michigan victory Nov. 8, 1997, at the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis. Penn State holds a 3-2-1 lead in the all-time series. The Nittany Lions are 2-0-0 all-time in Ann Arbor. PSU is ranked No. 8 in the nation and carries a 6-0-0(2-0-0 Big Ten) record.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes and the Wolverines will be meeting for the seventh time. The last meeting was a 3-0 Michigan victory Nov. 7, 1997, at the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis.The all-time series is tied at 3-3-0. U-M is 1-2-0 all-time in Columbus. OSU is 5-2-0, 0-2-0 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes will play Michigan State on Friday.

LOOKING BACK AT THE WEEK PAST
Michigan had a long week, playing two games which went into extra periods, one of which was decided in double overtime. Michigan opened the week by claiming Washtenaw County bragging rights with a 2-1 overtime victory over Eastern Michigan. The Wolverines opened Big Ten play on the road with a 1-0 double-overtime loss to Wisconsin. U-M finished off the week with a 4-2 loss at Northwestern. Michigan dropped back-to-back games for the first time since the 1996 season.

Sept. 15 at Eastern Michigan: The Wolverines claimed Washtenaw County bragging rights with a 2-1 overtime victory over Eastern Michigan. U-M led 1-0 early when Emily Schmitt (Troy, Mich./Athens HS) scored 18:43 into the game. The Eagles tied the match before the half when Kate Lewis beat Michigan keeper Carissa Stewart (Topsham, Maine/Mt. Ararat HS). Jessica Limauro (Troy, Mich./Troy HS) ended the match at 95:16 with her sixth goal of the season.

Sept. 18 at Wisconsin: The Wolverines opened the Big Ten season with their first loss of the season, a 1-0 double-overtime loss to the Badgers. Wisconsin's Mara Miller beat Carissa Stewart with a shot at 115:39 to hand the Wolverines their first loss in six games. The Badgers outshot the Wolverines 13-10 in the game.

Sept. 20 at Northwestern: Michigan was unable to pick up its first Big Ten victory, dropping a 4-2 decision to Northwestern. Kacy Beitel (Midland, Mich./H.H. Dow HS) and Amber Berendowsky (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) scored for the Wolverines but it wasn't enough to overtake the Wildcats. Jessica Jones (Northville, Mich./Northville HS) picked up her first loss of the season.

FIRST FOR MATHER
Michigan freshman Nancy Mather (Atlanta, Ga./Westminster HS) has started six of the seven games this year for the Wolverines. Mather recorded her first collegiate point this weekend against Northwestern (Sept. 20) when she assisted on Kacy Beitel's goal.

HOFF RETURNS TO ACTION
Junior Mari Hoff (Canton, Mich./Salem HS) made her first start of the season this weekend against Northwestern (Sept. 20). Hoff had been sidelined with limited playing time due to a knee injury.

FRESHMAN CONTRIBUTIONS
The Wolverines have received plenty of contributions from this season's rookie class. All five of the frosh have appeared in at least one game. Two players, Nancy Mather and Laurie Peterson (Del Mar, Calif./Torrey Pines HS), have established themselves as everyday starters. Peterson has one goal and one assist for three points while Mather owns one point on one assist. Alissa Shaw (West Carrolton, Ohio/West Carrolton HS) was also in a starting role before being sidelined in the Butler game (Sept. 6) with an ankle injury.

Contact: Jeff Conrad (734) 763-4423