Penn State proves too much for 'M'

The No. 11 Michigan field hockey team entered this weekend atop the Big Ten. To stay there, it needed to defeat the two teams competing for the distnction - No. 8 Ohio State and No. 6 Penn State.

Their 1-0 victory over Ohio State, and 4-2 loss to Penn State left the Wolverines in a tie with the Buckeyes and Lions for the Big Ten lead.

Penn State was not willing to accept another heart-breaking loss this early in the Big Ten season. The thought of a two game deficit to the Wolverines pushed the Lions to a decisive victory at Ocker field.

The two teams came out aggressively. With 22:50 left in the first half, Penn State was able to grab its first lead of the game on a goal by forward Maegan Galie.

Eight minutes later, Michigan forward Jessie Veith scored her sixth goal of the year on a pass from Catherine Foreman. The connection between the two freshmen tied the game at one. Veith's goal also set the record for most goals by a freshman at Mic

FILE PHOTO Loveita Wilkinson keeps the ball away from an opponent, and the Michigan field hockey team did the same to Ohio State on Friday, allowing just four shots.

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The effort to tie the game seemed to expend too much of Michigan's energy. After the goal, Michigan looked tired, and Penn State was ready to capitalize. Penn State's Traci Anselmo fired a shot past Kati Oakes with 2:30 to go, giving the Lions the edge at the half.

Both teams came out strong after the half, but two early goals by the Lions knocked Michigan out. Midfielder Dawn Lummey and Galie each scored in the first six minutes of the second half, lifting Penn State to a 4-1 lead.

The deficit proved too much for the Wolverines to overcome.

The Wolverines raised their spirits and their play, becoming more aggressive as the game progressed. With 20:31 left in the game, Kelli Gannon, Michigan's leading scorer, had an opportunity to close the gap to two with a penalty shot.

The result, however, was a sign that it would not be Michigan's day, as Gannon couldn't beat Lions' goalie Jamie Smith.

Foreman scored 3 1/2 minutes later, to make the score 4-2.

Michigan pressed for the rest of the game, and had many opportunities to catch Penn State. The Wolverines couldn't connect, though, and ended up two goals short.

"They capitalized on their chances, we had the same chances," Pankratz said. "They just outplayed us today, hopefully we can learn from it."

But the weekend was not a total loss for the team. Friday they defeated No. 8 Ohio State, to take a momentary lead in the conference standings.

The game was a defensive struggle - the only goal to find the net was scored by Gannon.

Seven minutes into the second half, she took control of the ball and took over the field.

"It was one of the times I kept composed instead of blasting it," Gannon said "I just dribbled it around, and was able to put it in."

The score was kept close mainly by the play of Ohio State goalkeeper Anna Schwartz. The sophomore made 25 saves, giving the Buckeyes' offense a chance to win the game.

The Wolverines' defense would not allow Ohio State to put together an offensive threat. The Michigan defense once again showed that it is the strength of the team, allowing just four shots. Oakes made two saves to record another shutout.

The play of the game was made by Ashley Reichenbach less than a minute after Michigan had taken the lead. Ohio State was on a breakaway, threatening to tie the game, when Reichenbach dove from behind to knock away the ball from the charging Buckeye.

"It's a team effort, they really play great together," Pankratz said. "The defense is really a unit."

The result of the weekend was not ideal, but it left Michigan in a good position.

"We played great against Ohio State, we're still leading the Big Ten," Pankratz said. "I'm happy, I hope we can play well the next game."

10-12-98