Again? Stickers drops another opener, but rebound against Duke

By Michael Kern

Daily Sports Writer

This past weekend at the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in St. Louis the Michigan field hockey team suffered an unfortunate occurrence of deja vu. The second-ranked Wolverines faced off against No. 4 North Carolina and Duke - falling 4-2 to the Tar Heels before defeating the Blue Devils 3-1.

Last year, Michigan dropped its season opener at North Carolina but defeated Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on its way to the finals.

For a team that relies on its ability to score on penalty corners like Michigan, this weekend's game were a case of live by the sword, die by the sword.

In its victory over Duke, Michigan opened the scoring on a penalty corner in the second half. But against North Carolina, the Wolverines were only able to earn three penalty corners.

"Getting a shot or a corner are the two most important things," senior Courtney Reid said.

The graduation of co-captains Ashley Reichenbach and Erica Widder has also forced the Wolverines to retool their defensive line - moving senior Jeanne Shin and junior Catherine Foreman back from the midfield.

But Pankratz is not worried about the switch effecting the teams defense for the long term.

"Every year you lose seniors," Pankratz said. "But classes grow and mature and new leaders emerge. Catherine has really taken over the sweeper position and a leadership role on defense."

Pankratz and the Wolverines know that last year's finals appearance has also placed a big bullseye on their backs. Playing in a strong Big Ten conference, the Wolverines will be unable to take any days off.

"There's a lot more pressure there now then there's ever been," Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. "It's a lot easier to make a run to the NCAA finals when no one expects it. Now people expect us to be there, and every team is gunning for us and trying to knock us off."

Michigan opened its season on the road August 26 with a 2-0 shutout of Maine. The next day freshmen April Fronzoni and Kristi Gannon recorded their first career goals en route to a 5-2 drubbing of Northeastern.

"April is speedy and tenacious and can finish the ball," Reid said. "In practice she scores a hat trick almost every day."

Fronzoni and Gannon are part of a highly touted class of nine freshmen who have joined the Wolverines this year. Five have already seen considerable playing time, including goalkeeper Molly Moloney who will rotate in the net with junior Maureen Tasch.

While the addition of nine new faces brings up the question of team chemistry, the Wolverines are already reaping the benefits of a larger roster.

"Now in practice we can play a full scrimmage where last year we couldn't," senior captain Regan Wulfsburg said.