Michigan eld hockey players are relentless in use of term 'relentless'

"Be relentless."

That has been the battle cry of the No. 12 Michigan field hockey team this week as the Wolverines prepare for Syracuse (3-2).

"Our big focus is being relentless and finishing this week because we have had a lot of trouble with finishing," junior midfielder Courtney Reid said.

After two losses this past weekend in which the Wolverines (3-3) were outscored by a combined five goals, the focus all week has been on being more aggressive around the net and finishing scoring opportunities.

Against No. 5 Virginia this past Friday, Michigan suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss, outplaying and outshooting the Cavaliers 13-6 but failing to capitalize on a number of scoring chances.

DANA LINNANE/Daily The Michigan field hockey team takes on Syracuse this weekend. The Wolverines have worked on finishing their scoring chances, after struggling against Virginia.

"I don't know if we're not mentally coming out strong enough, and we're not mentally tough enough, but it takes jolt to get going and that shouldn't be the case," Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. "I would like us to come out stronger, especially against teams we can intimidate, to put them away early.

"It's not that we don't work hard, but it's knowing when to finish, and we don't finish well inside the circle. It's knowing that you have to be relentless in a lot of the play and not just work hard."

In order to alleviate these problems, the Wolverines have worked hard all week in practice, especially on being aggressive and finishing their scoring chances.

"We have our chances, but it seems like we're down in their end for the first five minutes and then the other team gets it down once and scores," Reid said. "They are finishing their shots.

"We've been working on getting the ball up and being relentless in the circle and finishing our shots."

Besides giving Michigan a chance to hone its attack, this weekend's game is important for Michigan as it tries to build some momentum for the Big Ten season starting next week.

"We have Michigan State next week, so hopefully we can turn it around and get a good win on Sunday," assistant coach Tracey Fuchs said. "The Big Ten is going to be a battle.

"Every team is pretty much even, so we want to get a jump in the first couple of games in Big Tens and see if we can get a couple of early wins."

The Wolverines are anxious to get off to that quick start in the Big Ten, because the conference boasts five teams ranked in the top 20 - more than any other conference in the nation. Three of those teams are also ranked in the top 10, including No. 1 Penn State.

"The Big Ten conference has always been that difficult," Pankratz said. "It's the toughest battle of any conference to fight."

Pankratz is glad that the Big Ten has finally been recognized as an outstanding conference and hopes that it will lead to future considerations for the conference - both in the national polls and for at-large bids into the NCAA Tournament.

In the past, despite the tough play of the conference, few conference teams received recognition in the national polls because of weak records resulting from playing other Big Ten teams.

Consequently, only the Big Ten tournament champion has advanced to the NCAA Tournament each year.

"It was ridiculous compared to how good the conference is," Pankratz said. "Hopefully this year, we'll have at least two or three teams that get an at-large bid to get in the tournament."

Even though Michigan has No. 11 Michigan State and the start of the Big Ten season to took look forward next week, it is not looking past a dangerous Syracuse team.

"They come from a good conference in the Big East," Fuchs said. "We're just going to come at the hard and press from the very beginning and see if we can get some goals early."

09-16-99