Class is out for field hockey freshmen

By B.J. Luria

Daily Sports Writer

Although today is just the third day of classes for most Michigan freshmen, eight Wolverines have already been in school for more than a week. But these first-year students are not learning about chemistry and history; they are being taught lessons in field hockey.

Today, the Michigan field hockey team hosts Southwest Missouri State at Ocker Field at 4 p.m., as the Wolverines (2-1) continue the non-conference portion of their schedule.

Although the subject matter may be difficult for the freshmen, the young Wolverines have an exceptional professor - coach Marcia Pankratz. Last season, in just her second year at the helm for Michigan, Pankratz led the Wolverines to the Big Ten championship, while garnering Big Ten coach of the year honors.

This year, Pankratz's abilities as a coach will be tested, as the Wolverines try to replace a plethora of talented players who graduated from last year's squad. Julie Flachs, who was last season's Big Ten offensive player of the year, will especially be missed. Her 29 goals were almost half of the team's total.

Several of the freshmen have already begun to pick up the slack resulting from the loss of Flachs. Both Catherine Foreman and Jessie Veith have seen significant action in Michigan's first three games. Foreman, from Australia, is starting at midfielder, while Veith has logged considerable minutes.

"Jessica Veith is in there a lot at forward," Pankratz said. "She's a pretty speedy wing that can make things happen."

Two-year starting goaltender and 1997 team captain Amy Helber also graduated and will be replaced in the goal by junior Kati Oakes. Although Oakes has played in only two games at Michigan, she has significant international experience and Pankratz believes that she has the potential to become one of the best goaltenders in the nation.

"She has had a fantastic season so far," Pankratz said. "She has fantastic presence back there. She's very poised, she's got exceptional skills and really is going to break through and have a very strong season for us this year."

Despite the loss of several important members from last year's team, the Wolverines are not without some experience. Several returning players have begun to make an impact this season. Amy Philbrook has scored three of the Wolverines' five goals so far this year, including both goals in Michigan's 2-1 victory over Wake Forest on Monday.

Sophomore Kelli Gannon, last year's Big Ten freshman of the year, will also see significant playing time this year, along with senior forward Lindsay Babbitt. Gannon and Babbitt each had five goals last season, good for third on the team.

Michigan's leading returning scorer is Loveita Wilkinson, a junior midfielder. Wilkinson notched seven goals last season - second most on the Wolverines behind Flachs - and recorded six assists.

Today's game should provide an opportunity for the freshmen to see some playing time. Southwest Missouri State visited Ann Arbor last year and suffered a 7-0 thrashing at the hands of the Wolverines. In that game, the Lady Bears managed only two shots, including none in the second half, while Michigan got off 42 shots.

Last season, Southwest Missouri State posted a 5-11 record. The good news for the Lady Bears is that they return 18 of 19 players from last year's team. Last year's team was outscored 68-20 and was outshot 226-105 over the course of the 16-game schedule.

Things have changed since last season, though. Southwest Missouri State hired a new head coach, Dawn Porter, to lead the team. The Lady Bears enter today's game having started their season in a remarkably similar fashion to the Wolverines. After opening the season with a 5-0 victory at home, Southwest Missouri State lost its second game and won its third game on the road.

Despite their difficulties last season, especially against Michigan, Pankratz refuses to discount the Lady Bears.

"They've had a coaching change, so we don't really know a whole lot about them," Pankratz said. "I think that we're well-prepared for them because we've been practicing hard."

Southwest Missouri State's leading scorer is Jamima Cameron, a freshman midfielder from Australia. Cameron has already scored four goals in the Lady Bears' three games. Senior midfielder Paula Pennington and senior defender Maggie Grelle have scored two goals apiece. Southwest Missouri State has racked up 11 goals, over half the number it scored all of last year.

Regardless, Michigan is ready for the Lady Bears.

"We had a good preseason," Pankratz said. "I think we'll be ready for whatever they throw at us."

09-10-98