The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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falling just one win shy of an improbable NCAA Tournament bid. "Steve took a big step last year — the biggest step in his career," Berenson said. "And whether or not that will continue or whether or not he'll hit some bumps in the road, you never know about a kid. "I'm glad he finished the way he did. I think that will help him, and it will help our team. "We never knew he was the guy that could play so well in the stretch run. It was a guessing game the way the year went, but he's going to get a chance to be our starting goalie this season." Janecyk is back for his senior season, and Zach Nagelvoort has been brought in to challenge (though as a clear No. 2 for now), but this team needs Racine to be the goalie he was for the final 10-game stretch. "Especially with the schedule we have, we need him ready to go right away," Bennett said. "The good news for him is he's been through it already. He doesn't have to find his bearings, figure out what a college shot looks like. He's been in every situation and he should be ready to handle what's thrown at him." Bennett And The Boys A quick glance at Michigan's roster would indicate the Maize and Blue are stocked at defense. Bennett is back for his senior season and will be joined by classmate Kevin Clare, while three experienced juniors — Brennan Serville, Mike Chiasson and Michael Szuma — also return. However, Clare played in only 20 games last season due to both injury and discipline issues, while Serville, Chiasson and Szuma often found themselves in competition for the fifth or sixth defenseman's role, bat-