Blue owns Big Ten lead

The Michigan field hockey team battled its way into first place in the Big Ten this weekend after ekeing by Northwestern, 2-1, yesterday and third-ranked Iowa ,1-0, on Friday.

Yesterday at Ocker Field, No.9 Michigan came back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime to steal a victory away from the Wildcats (0-5 Big Ten, 4-8 overall).

After being unable to capitalize off four penalty corners in two minutes, Michigan's persistence in the arc finally paid off. With 27:17 left to play in the game, defenseman Erica Widder fired a shot toward the left side of the goal, just beyond the reach of the Northwestern goalie.

That goal turned the momentum back to the Wolverines.

MARJORIE MARSHALL/Daily Kelli Gannon (3) and the Michigan field hockey team defeated Northwestern yesterday, 2-1.

Four minutes later, forward Reagan Wulfsburg dove and shot the ball on goal, but she was just short as her shot caromed off the right post.

But Michigan (4-1 Big Ten, 10-4 overall) sustained pressure on goal, and with 18:02 left to play, midfielder Catherine Formena blasted a free shot through center. Senior midfielder Ali Balmer redirected the ball into the goal to give the Wolverines the lead.

Northwestern continued to battle, as its offense kept the ball in the Michigan zone. But Michigan goalie Kati Oakes came up with a big save with 7:20 remaining in the game to preserve the victory.

The Wolverines knew that maintaining the same intensity they had against Iowa (4-1 Big Ten, 10-1 overall) would be a challenge.

And after being held scoreless by the unranked Northwestern squad in the first half, coach Marcia Pankratz said she was happy with the way her team gathered its emotions in time to seal another victory.

"Coming off the Iowa win on Friday, which was a very emotional game for us, I was concerned about us coming out flat, and we did," Pankratz said. "Hopefully its a lesson learned and we still escaped with a win."

Northwestern's early goal damaged the Wolverines' performance by creating a sense of urgency that caused Michigan to stray from its game plan.

"When Northwestern came down and scored we got a little bit flustered," Pankratz said. "We tried to push too hard and press too hard in trying to score, instead of sticking patiently to the game plan.

"I tried to remind them of what our tactics were going into the game. They went back to them in the second half."

Friday's victory over previously undefeated Iowa enabled Michigan to capture first place in the Big Ten. With 26:29 remaining in the first-half, senior co-captain Ashley Reichenbach smoked a penalty shot into the goal and provided the only offense for either team.

The relentless rain produced slippery field conditions and neither offense could get into a rhythm. Michigan had several opportunities to score on penalty corners, but each team failed to take advantage on the slick turf.

10-11-99