Field hockey hits the road, will need 'best game' to win a pair

Have you ever tried so hard, for so long, to defeat a major rival, and then been apprehensive to challenge them again because you knew they were going to come back seething from the defeat?

That's the position the Michigan field hockey team finds itself in this weekend as it travels to Iowa tomorrow and Northwestern on Sunday to begin the road portion of its Big Ten schedule. Last season, the Wolverines swept both teams for the first time in their 25-year history en route to winning the Big Ten championship.

"We have to bring our best game," Michigan head coach Marcia Pankratz said. "The revenge factor is something we'll really have to battle against."

Not only will the Wolverines have to battle the revenge factor this weekend, but they will have to handle the rigors of playing two good teams on the road.

"The Big Ten schedule is so tough, especially on the road," Pankratz said. "There's a lot of tradition behind both of the teams we're playing this weekend, so they are tough to play against."

In preparing for the challenges that lie before the Wolverines this weekend, the team has been taking a simple approach to practice this week.

"We don't want to change the strength of our game at all," Pankratz said. Pankratz said that practices this week have simply focused on sharpening team strengths like intensive pressing, executing the corners, and up-tempo passing.

Additionally, Pankratz said she was counting on the play of junior sweeper Ashley Reichenbach this weekend.

"She is really the foundation of our entire defense. She's been playing great hockey," Pankratz said. "Since she plays defense, she doesn't get all the recognition, but she's done a great job of holding the defense together."

Though the defense is playing well, Pankratz is curious to see how the offense will progress this weekend. With the graduation of Big Ten offensive player of the year, Julie Flachs, the Wolverines' offense has been effective with a more balanced attack than last year. But Pankratz knows that the opportunity is there for someone to step up.

"It will be interesting to see who does blossom in such a big game," Pankratz said.

Although this weekend will be a large test for the Wolverines, Pankratz is confident her squad can handle the challenges offered by the Hawkeyes and the Wildcats.

"I'm sure we'll be ready. We've always risen to challenges," said Pankratz.

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