Freshman Phenom Abby Crumpton Starring for Michigan Soccer
11/11/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Abby Crumpton is turning heads as she scores goal after goal during her freshman season with the University of Michigan women's soccer squad. The team's second leading scorer, with 12 goals and 32 points, she is surprising herself. "I didn't expect to have this much success so fast," said Crumpton, who is looking to become the first Michigan freshman to lead the team in scoring since 1996, when Amber Berendowsky had 19 points and Mari Hoff scored eight goals.
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Still Crumpton is on a roll of late. In the Big Ten Conference Tournament Nov. 5-7 in Bloomington, Ind., she netted three goals and two assists for five points in Michigan's three-game run to its second conference title in three seasons.
Crumpton is a complete player, showing tremendous talent on offense. Her 81 shots surpassed the former Michigan record of 63 shot attempts in a season, and she is tied for first on the team in the category with Emily Schmitt. And Crumpton's eight assists, second to Schmitt's 13, rank as the third most by a Wolverine in a single season. "Abby can score, pass, head, can hit the long ball. She has a complete game," Belkin assessed.
Often overshadowed by the offensive numbers are Crumpton's defensive efforts. Her raw speed applies pressure on opposing defenders as they try to clear balls out of their zone and her powerful slide tackles have won back many balls for the Wolverines this season.
Crumpton has proven that she deserves a starting role. She has excelled at the collegiate level and adjusted well to the transition from high school to college. Creating numerous offensive opportunities, her offensive effort on the field shows that she can handle the pressure.
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But Crumpton loves being part of the team. She has been a prominent part of the strong offensive game.
"Abby is a goal scorer," Belkin said. "She has speed that is really hard to contain. Whether she is starting or coming off the bench, she provides our team with a spark. She is definitely a nice weapon to have in our program."
However, with so many talented players on the team, Crumpton says she does not model her game after one specific player. "Everyone contributes to how I want to play and how I want to be," she said. "Coming in as a freshman, the team has been awesome. To be a part of something this great is cool."
An All Big Ten First Team honoree, Crumpton strives to keep improving her game. "I know the pressure has gotten to me a couple times in the past, but it's just a learning experience. I look at myself now and think I've completely evolved. I can handle the pressure like it's not a big deal. ... My goals now are to play the best I can in each game and just to take things one game at a time."
Crumpton's success did not begin as a Wolverine. While attending Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Hills, Mich., she was a member of the 1999 Class A state championship team. Her achievements include being a three-time member of the All-State Dream Team, All-Oakland County First Team (1997, '98, '99) and All-Area First Team (1997,'98, '99). She completed her senior season with 29 goals and 21 assists and her junior season with 41 goals and 10 assists.
Her successes also extend to her club team, the Michigan Hawks. Crumpton helped the Hawks to a pair of Michigan state championships in 1997 and 1998. She was two-time Michigan Hawks MVP (1997, '98). She was also a four-year member of the Michigan Olympic Development team (1996-99).
When Crumpton decided on a university, she chose Michigan for its soccer and academic programs. She also loves the campus. "When I saw the campus, I knew right away that I would come here. Everything is so beautiful and I love the atmosphere at Michigan," she said. In addition, she wanted to be close to home so her parents, Samuel and Laurie Crumpton, could attend games to see her play. "They come to most of my games to cheer me on," she said.
As Crumpton proves that she will be an important part of the Wolverines' success in the future, she aims to better her game and her academics.
"If I had the opportunity to play at the national level, I would go for it in a minute, in a second. I would love for it to happen. I know I have to make it happen for myself, so I want to keep working hard and keep trying to get better," said Crumpton. "I'm going to focus on my education and hope I get a good job when I graduate."
Contact: Jay Levin (734) 763-4423
