Field hockey nets No. 1 Big Ten seed

By Benjamin Singer

Daily Sports Writer

This Friday's matchup had more than postseason implications - it was winner takes all.

The Big Ten's field hockey leaders faced off with No. 6 Michigan (5-0 Big Ten, 15-3 overall) at No. 5 Penn State (4-1 Big Ten, 13-3 overall). Pennsylvania native April Fronzoni scored with 23 minutes left in the first half for Michigan in the game's only goal.

The Wolverines came away with the 1-0 win, guaranteeing themselves the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye for the Big Ten Tournament.

Even with a loss next week in its final Big Ten game and a Penn State win, Michigan would win the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Though both teams were undefeated in conference play, the Wolverines were coming off two losses against tough ACC opponents while the Nittany Lions were riding an 11-game winning streak.

Michigan's losses against then No. 4 North Carolina and No. 3 Wake Forest two weekends ago were used to gear up for not only the postseason, but also for the home stretch of Big Ten play.

"I think it helped us prepare in many ways," senior co-captain Kelli Gannon said. "They're good competition and quicker."

North Carolina and Wake Forest had 12 and 13 shots on goal respectively - that's easily more than the minimum of six Michigan has limited every other opponent to.

While Tobacco Road proved too much last weekend for the Wolverines, they got back to familiar form defensively for Penn State.

Michigan controlled the tempo creating most of the scoring chances and made the Penn State

offense a non-factor. The Nittany Lions could not muster a shot on goal in the first half and only had four for the game.

offense a non-factor. The Nittany Lions could not muster a shot on goal in the first half and only had four for the game.

"I think it's more exciting," Gannon said. "It's what we're used to."

While Michigan dominated the game, it still struggled to finish on its chances. Finally, the Wolverines had another corner shot where the ball bounced around inside the circle a while.

Gannon hit the ball to the right side of the post where Fronzoni was waiting to slip it in behind the goalie for what proved to be the game winner.

"I was thinking that was just the start of it," Gannon said. "We had a lot of opportunities to score but didn't capitalize on it."

Though Penn State didn't get to waste as many chances as Michigan, it can certainly sympathize in the agony of falling short. In the final seconds, Penn State was awarded a corner with one shot at sending the game to overtime. As the clock expired, Penn State's shot went wide and Michigan escaped with the win and the Big Ten title. Sitting on the top

The Michigan field hockey team earned at least a tie for the Big Ten title with a 1-0 victory over Penn State. The Wolverines do have the tiebreaker over the Nittany Lions, giving them the No. 1 seed at the Big Ten Tournament which will be at home this year. A win over the Spartans on Friday would hand Michigan it's first Big Ten title.

Remaining schedule:

Friday vs. Michigan State

Nov. 3-5 Big Ten Tournament

Nov. 11 NCAA Regionals

Nov. 18 NCAA Final Four