With four games left in its regular season, the Michigan field hockey team looks like it is in limbo.
This isn't to say the Wolverines (1-5 Big Ten, 6-7 overall) haven't shown signs of strength this season - they have.
Michigan has impressive non-conference victories this year against nationally-ranked opponents Boston College and Ball State. However, the Wolverines have had more than their share of difficulties during the Big Ten season.
A 4-3 loss to Michigan State last Sunday didn't help Michigan's efforts to pull itself out of the cellar of the conference. The defeat might have been especially disappointing for Marcia Pankratz's crew, yet the coach gives the Wolverines credit.
"I was proud of the way we came back from 4-2 down," she said. "I felt we were in (the match) the whole way."
Nevertheless, a loss is a loss, and Michigan has to regroup for this weekend when the team hits the road for matches against Penn State tomorrow,and Ohio State on Sunday.
The Wolverines will be looking to salvage a split in both series for the season. Earlier this season, the Lady Lions came to Ann Arbor and spanked Michigan, 5-2. Prior to that defeat, the Wolverines dropped a hard-fought contest to the Buckeyes, 3-2.
Those losses started the Big Ten season on the wrong foot for Michigan, and the Wolverines haven't been able to hit their stride since. Michigan's victory against the Spartans on Oct. 2 was followed by three straight defeats at the hands of Iowa, Northwestern and Michigan State.
So with losses to every team in the Big Ten, the back end of Michigan's season series are more important than ever - for themselves and for every other team in the conference.
This won't make things easier for the Wolverines, who have had enough trouble getting victories in the Big Ten.
Penn State (3-4, 7-8) is coming off an up-and-down weekend. After handing Northwestern a 5-4 loss, the Lady Lions lost to Iowa, 5-1. Despite the mixed results, Penn State looks to be fired up for the weekend's contest, as it tries to improve its standing in the Big Ten.
In Penn State's victory over the Wolverines earlier this year, the Lady Lions flexed their offensive muscle early and often, scoring three times in the first 18 minutes of the game.
For Pankratz, there is an obvious solution to putting an end to runs like that.
"Mentally, we need to stay focused for 70 minutes," Pankratz said. "We have lapses where we are not disciplined with our particular (jobs)."
Regardless, it seems that no matter what the Wolverines do, they are going to have their hands full with Penn State's Tara Maguire. The Olympic team alternate was a menace to Michigan in their last meeting, tallying a goal and an assist.
Fortunately for the Wolverines, the Buckeyes boast no Olympians. Instead, Ohio State (5-2, 10-4) merely has one of the strongest teams in the conference. The Buckeyes have impressive victories over Northwestern and Penn State, and have given No. 2 Iowa its toughest conference game of the season, losing, 2-1.
Michigan can look to its previous game with Ohio State if it needs a dose of confidence. The Wolverines dominated almost every aspect of the game - except for the all-important score. Michigan outshot the Buckeyes 27-17 in the contest, yet couldn't find a way to get the ball to the back of the net.
If any one can correct that situation, it has to be Michigan's one-two punch of Michelle Smulders and Julie Flachs. The two attackers lead the Wolverines with 11 and eight goals, respectively. And where there are Michigan goals, defender Meredith Franden is usually near. The senior leads the team in assists with nine.
"Seeing this makes the team realize we're very close and we just need to get over the hump," Pankratz said. "We're concentrating and battling, and that's encouraging."
MARK FRIEDMAN/Daily
Sandra Cabrera, who plays midfield and defense for the Wolverines, hopes to get revenge on Penn State and Ohio State for losses to them earlier in the season at home. Michigan travels to State College and Columbus this weekend as part of its last regular-season road trip.