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Posted on Thu, Oct 27, 2011 : 10:33 a.m.

Michigan soccer player Haley Kopmeyer sets single-season save record

By Matt Durr

Haley Kopmeyer recorded her 100th save of the season last week and now owns the single-season saves record for a Michigan women's soccer player.

That achievement wasn't top of mind for Kopmeyer. She didn’t realize she set the record until after the game.

“I saw it on MGoBlue (Michigan athletics official website) and was like ‘wow,’” Kopmeyer said. She said it was just an honor to be in the company as some of the other goalies she played with and watched at Michigan.

Kopmeyer made five saves Friday in a 1-0 loss to Ohio State, putting her at 100 for the season. She made five more against Penn State.

“Haley has played really well,” said head coach Greg Ryan. “She has given us a chance to get a win or tie in every game.”

Kopmeyer keeps Michigan in every game and she's improved a lot in the last year because of her off-season work, Ryan said.

“It gives you a lot of confidence knowing that (she’s) back there. You can be more aggressive,” Ryan said.

Ryan said Kopmeyer is better in with game smarts and making the right decisions on playing the ball.

“Haley has gone from being a goalie that was solid, to being a goalie that makes the big play when we need it,” Ryan said.

Not only has Kopmeyer improved as a player, but as a leader. As the elder-stateswomen of the backline, Kopmeyer has been instrumental in helping her teammates to be in the right positions to make plays.

“That’s where you see the leadership and maturity,” Ryan said.

Kopmeyer has been on the Michigan campus for four years and has one season on eligibility remaining, so she has had an extra year of learning and experience.

Ryan feels that now that Kopmeyer has reached a certain level of play, the coaches’ job is to help her sharpen the aspects of her game to make them even better.

“It’s becoming big for us to play as a team and to fight for each other," Kopmeyer said.

Freshman captures ITA Midwest Regional title

Michigan women’s tennis player Emina Bektas won the ITA Midwest Regional singles title on Tuesday and has earned an automatic selection to the National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships.

“I really feel like I can play with some of the best players out there,” Bektas said. “I felt like I’d been playing well coming into this weekend, and this was a big boost going into New York next week.”

Bektas a freshman, will travel to Flushing N.Y., next week to compete in the tournament, held at the site of the U.S. Open.

Eastern Michigan coach closes in on milestone

Kim Berrington will be looking for her 250th victory as EMU women’s volleyball coach this weekend as the Eagles host Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.

Last week Berrington, then all-time leader in career wins at EMU, notched her 350th career victory when the Eagles defeated Akron. Previously Berrington was the head coach at Concordia.

The Eagles (19-6, 7-3 Mid-American Conference) are on a six-game winning streak.

Fobe named Freshman of the Week

For the second time this season Aline Fobe has been named the Big Ten’s field hockey Freshman of the Week. Fobe scored the game-winning goal in the Wolverines' 2-0 victory against Michigan State.

Fobe also added an assist in a loss to No. 2 North Carolina last weekend. Fobe was named the Synapse Sports Freshman of the Week.

EMU women’s golf finishes strong

As the fall campaign for the EMU women’s golf team came to an end this week, the Eagles finished with a strong showing. After winning last week’s Hoosier Fall Invitational, the Eagles took second place at the 34th annual Pat Bradley Invitational.

Junior Meredith Fairbairn led EMU, shooting 220 (72-73-75) for the tournament, good enough to finish fourth. The team finished 13 strokes behind champion Florida International.

Upcoming home schedule:

Thursday:

EMU women’s soccer - 3 p.m. vs. Central Michigan at Scicluna Field

Michigan hockey - 7:35 p.m. vs. Ferris State at Yost Ice Arena

Friday:

Michigan women’s swimming - noon vs. Texas and Indiana at Canham Natatorium

Michigan field hockey - 4 p.m. vs. Indiana at Ocker Field

Michigan volleyball - 7 p.m. vs. No. 11 Purdue at Cliff Keen Arena

EMU volleyball - 7 p.m. vs. Northern Illinois at Convocation Center

Michigan hockey - 7:35 p.m. vs. Ferris State at Yost Ice Arena

Saturday:

Michigan football - noon vs. Purdue at Michigan Stadium

Michigan volleyball - 7 p.m. vs. Indiana at Cliff Keen Arena

EMU volleyball - 7 p.m. vs. Western Michigan at Convocation Center

Sunday:

Michigan field hockey - noon vs. No. 9 Stanford at Ocker Field