Saint MaryÕs looks to end 3-game slump against Olivet
By SARAH RYKOWSKI
Sports Writer
Saint MaryÕs soccer team is out for revenge.
They want vindication after three shutout losses, including 5th-ranked DePauw and 22nd-ranked Kalamazoo, the defending MIAA champion.
ÒWe have gotten through the toughest stretch of this season,Ó head coach Jason Milligan said. Ò[The DePauw, Rose-Hulman and Kalamazoo games were] a great experience for them to see different levels of competition.Ó
As they enter SaturdayÕs match against Olivet, the Belles will seek to avenge last yearÕs shutout losses to the Lady Comets. The comets beat the Belles 3-0 in both the regular season the first round of the 1999 MIAA playoffs.
ÒWeÕre looking forward to an entertaining game,Ó Belles sweeper Alissa Brasseur said.
The Lady Comets finished third in the MIAA in 1999, with a league record of 5-2-1 and an overall slate of 14-4-1. They are led by head coach Mark Fales, who returns a strong corps of players.
Doris Sullivan led her team as a sophomore in 1999 in scoring and points, finding the net 15 times and finishing with 32 points, despite sitting out eight games with a broken collarbone. Junior goalie Tanja Roberts returns to the net for 2000, after recording seven shutouts and averaging less than one goal allowed per game.
Despite the Comets formidable roster, the Belles said they are ready.
ÒWe had a great practice [Wednesday],Ó Milligan said. ÒWe know exactly where weÕre at and where we need to go.Ó
The Belles are looking for their second conference victory, after opening the season with a shutout of Alma. That conference victory was also the last time the Belles scored.
Olivet has also had its share of trouble this season, as it was forced to forfeit a non-conference match against Northern Michigan because of an injury. It bounced back quickly, however, to defeat Alma 2-1.
ÒWeÕre excited because we know it is going to be a physical game,Ó co-captain Jessica Klink said. ÒWeÕre ready to put the pressure on.Ó
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 15, 2000
