U-M Soccer Aided by Olympic Development Program
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Wolverines Aided by Products of Olympic Development Program
by Jay Levin, U-M Media Relations Intern
USA Soccer has established a national program, the Olympic Development Program (ODP), dedicated to the development of young soccer players. On the strength of this program, the United States has produced arguably the strongest women's soccer program in the world. Winners of the gold medal in the 1996 Olympics and the inaugural World Cup in 1991, the US women are again a favorite to capture this year's World Cup, which opened June 19 in New York.
The 1996 U.S. Olympic team was powered by former NCAA college players as all 11 starters had ties to the NCAA game. The trend should continue into this year's Women's World Cup as all 20 members of Team USA played at the collegiate level.
While the University of Michigan is not represented on a World Cup roster, several current Wolverines have had impacts on Olympic Development Program national teams. Seniors Amber Berendowsky (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS), Mari Hoff (Canton, Mich./Salem HS) and Shannon Poole (Troy, Mich./Troy HS), redshirt junior Marie Spaccarotella (Livonia, Mich./Churchill HS) and sophomore Alissa Shaw (West Carrollton, Ohio/West Carrollton HS) round out the group of Wolverines with national team ties. And their national team experience was showcased in this year's NCAA Tournament as the five players combined for three goals and an assist in Michigan's 4-2 first-round victory over Xavier.
Berendowsky | Hoff | Poole | Shaw | Spaccarotella |
In-staters Berendowsky, Hoff, Poole and Spaccarotella all entered the University of Michigan together and have been instrumental in the soccer program's rise from its club team roots to regional and national acclaim. After compiling an 18-18-3 record over the two seasons before the Michigan foursome joined the squad, the Michigan soccer program has compiled a 42-18-5 mark with a Big Ten Tournament Championship and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances since Berendowsky, Hoff, Poole and Spaccarotella walked onto the Ann Arbor campus. The quartet earned Michigan Dream Team status multiple times during their prep careers, with Berendowsky honored as Ms. Soccer for the state of Michigan in 1996 and Hoff named the 1996 Ann Arbor News Athlete of the Year.
With school records of 36 goals, 28 assists and 100 points, Berendowsky is the most prolific offensive player in Wolverine history. Her offensive prowess ranks among the best in Big Ten Conference history and has her in position to become the second player in Big Ten history to net 50 career goals. Berendowsky enhanced her skills with seven years in the Olympic Development Program, including stints on the ODP National team in 1993 and 1994. Her time in the ODP has allowed Berendowsky to become one of the best collegiate players, as evidenced by her two All-Big Ten and one All-America citations.
Hoff has served more stints on the ODP National team than any other Wolverine, competing on the Under-16, U-17 and U-19 National teams. And in 1993 Hoff was named the Most Valuable Player at the Nation's Cup in London, England. Hoff's development has resulted in her being named to the All-Big Ten team after each of her collegiate seasons and has earned her one All-Great Lakes Region citation.
Spaccarotella, who missed the 1997 NCAA season due to a knee injury, was a member of the Olympic Development Program from 1991-97, making the Under-20 National team in 1996. She was the third-highest scorer for Michigan her freshman year, scoring six goals and two assists for 14 points. Slowed by the '97 injury, Spaccarotella has continued to work her way back, netting three goals last season, including one in the NCAA Tournament.
Poole and Shaw missed out on a national team, but both were members of Olympic Development Program national pools, the talent base from which the national team is directly selected. Poole, who made the national pool in 1994, has started all 65 Michigan games the last three years and has been recognized as Michigan's Most Valuable Player after each of the last two seasons. Shaw, who made the national pool in 1998, drew rave reviews from the coaches during the spring season and will be looked upon to spearhead the Wolverine defense.
Contact: Jay Levin (734) 763-4423
