Daily Sports Writer
Wanna see a barn-burner?
Just follow the Michigan field hockey team. Everywhere it goes, action seems to follow. With a 5-1 conference record, the Wolverines own the nation's No. 11 ranking and are on top of the Big Ten, fighting to defend last season's conference championship.
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| FILE PHOTO The Michigan field hockey team has defended its Big Ten title this season with vigor - the Wolverines are in sole control of first place in the conference. |
Of Michigan's five conference victories, four have been decided by just one goal, and each of those victories was tight to the very end.
"The Big Ten conference is incredibly difficult to play in. You have to play everyone twice, at home and on the road. Five of the six teams in the conference are ranked in the national top 20," Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. "Grueling is a good word to describe the conference."
On Sept. 24, the Wolverines opened conference play against Michigan State and outlasted the Spartans 2-1 in overtime.
At Northwestern on Oct. 4, Michigan found itself down two goals early in the match, before defeating the Wildcats, 3-2.
Just five days later, then-No. 8 Ohio State visited Ann Arbor for a showdown of conference favorites. The Wolverines once again managed a one-goal victory, defeating the Buckeyes 1-0.
Then, last weekend, the Wolverines did it to Michigan State again. They scored twice in the final 13:30 of the game to beat the Spartans 2-1, with the game winner coming with just 33 seconds left.
Poise and composure in the crucial moments of Michigan's Big Ten schedule, thus far, have kept them in contention for a second-straight conference crown.
"We don't get too excited about a particular win or loss, but, obviously, the importance of these wins is huge," Pankratz said.
The Wolverines are methodical in their approach to each game. They attempt to set themselves up for victory each time they take the field - through proper preparation prior to the contest, and by religiously sticking to the game plan when they're on the field.
"We don't get frazzled," Pankratz said. "We have faith and trust in our game plan. We stick with what we know is going to work and keep our patience and poise. If we do that, we think we can win any game."
A key example of Pankratz's plan at work was the Northwestern game. The Wildcats got two early goals on the Wolverines, but Pankratz said her squad refused to fade or deviate from the team's plan of attack. Through patience and persistence, the Wolverines pulled out the pivotal 3-2 victory.
"Everyone knows that their particular role is instrumental in our success," Pankratz said.
Pankratz also attributes the success of the Wolverines in the clutch to the overwhelming confidence of her team. With senior captain Amy Philbrook injured for much of the season, the Wolverines have been playing most games with only one or two seniors on the field. Pankratz said her younger players have really stepped up.
"I think it's a great statement about the character of our players. They've played incredibly strong and with confidence," Pankratz said.
When it comes down to it, Pankratz said her team's success comes from approaching games they way they should be-one game at a time.
"Just look at this weekend. This weekend is obviously critical (at Penn State and at Ohio State), but it's critical strictly because they are the next games we play," said Pankratz.
"We stick with what works for us."
10-20-98
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