Old number, new player yield winning results for stickers

Yesterday's field hockey game between Michigan and Southwest Missouri State displayed many similarities to games played last year. Once again, the Wolverines pulled out a close victory with the game-winning goal scored by No. 14.

Last year, No. 14 scored 10 game-winners among her 29 goals. There is one distinct difference between last year and this year - No. 14 is worn by a new player. Julie Flachs - Michigan's all-time leading scorer - wore jersey No. 14 last year, but the uniform belongs to Michigan freshman Jesse Veith this season. And the freshman forward is picking up right where her predecessor left off.

Michigan (3-1) used the strong goaltending of sophomore Kati Oakes to protect its lead and hold off the Lady Bears (2-2), 1-0. The only goal of the game came off Veith's stick with 13:30 remaining in the first half.

The Wolverines used quick passes to move the ball to the Lady Bears' end of the field. Lindsay Babbitt controlled the ball just inside the circle and made the pass to Veith in front of the net. Veith's rocket beat Southwest Missouri State goalkeeper

FILE PHOTO The Michigan field hockey team dominated action yesterday against Southwest Missouri State, outshooting the Bears 22-5 in a 1-0 victory.

Monnie Elzy to give Michigan the only goal that it would need.

"It feels good, real good," Veith said. "The first goal is always the breaker and then after that, they just come."

Despite the victory, Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz was not particularly pleased with the Wolverines' performance against a team that they shellacked, 7-0, last season.

She noted that Michigan had trouble putting the ball in the net. There were several factors that contributed to the Wolverines' difficulties, she said.

"It's been a long couple of weeks and I think mentally, we're a little tired," Pankratz said. "Sometimes you get a little weary, especially with all the other stuff going on."

The Lady Bears almost tied the score in the second half. Two Southwest Missouri State players got in behind the Michigan defenders and broke in alone on Oakes.

Jemima Cameron drew Oakes out of the net and Oakes dove at the ball. Cameron then sent a pass over to Mary Kukulinski who was all alone in front of the empty net. Kukulinski could not handle the pass, though, and the ball rolled away, allowing the Michigan defenders to return to the play.

The scoring opportunities were few and far between for the Lady Bears, who managed just five shots to 22 for the Wolverines.

Michigan converted on none of its 11 penalty corner opportunities. Pankratz blamed several factors for the Wolverines' offensive difficulties.

"It's just like in football, it takes longer to develop the attack," Pankratz said. "It'll take a couple games to get into a groove."

Although Michigan had some trouble on the offensive end of the field, Pankratz did give much of the credit for the close game to Southwest Missouri State.

"Their goalkeeper played outstanding. If it wasn't for her, we might have had a bigger score," Pankratz said. "They worked hard, they were scrappy, and they beat us to the ball. They won a lot of the 50-50 balls, which makes a big difference."

Next up for Michigan is Central Michigan (3-1), which visits Ocker Field today. The Chippewas, who play in the Mid-American Conference, have won three straight games after dropping their opener to Michigan State.

"They are a very experienced group - they have a lot of upperclassmen," Pankratz said. "They certainly are a strong team, one of the better teams in the MAC."

The Wolverines will finish up the homestand with a game against Stanford on Sunday. But for now, they are just hoping that old reliable No. 14 can help them defeat the Chippewas today.

"It's an intrastate rivalry," Pankratz said, "so it'll be a battle."

09-11-98