10 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, October 5, 1994 Stickers go for second straight victory in Michigan State game By MARC DILLER Daily Sports Writer When the Michigan field hockey team entered con- ference play on September 23, expectations were high. But now with almost half of the Big Ten season behind them, the Wolverines need to make a significant turnaround in the weeks ahead. Michigan State is coming to town at the right time. On the heels of a much-needed victory against the defending Big Ten champions, Penn State, Michigan (1-3 Big Ten, 5-6 overall) takes on last year's confer- ence cellar dwellers, the Spartans (0-4, 2-6-2), at Oosterbaan Field house today at 7 p.m. "Finally all the hard work has come together and it's great for the rest of the Big Ten season," junior forward Gia Biagi said. "Michigan State is tougher this year and they are not a team we can just assume victory against." In order to win today, the Wolverines will have to improve their offensive presence. In its last four con- ference games, Michigan's offense came up short. The Wolverines tallied a mere two goals over the four-game span, during which they suffered a 144- minute, 37-second scoring drought. The only two goals scored thus far in conference play are by freshman defender Julie Flachs and junior defender Aaleya Koreishi. The front line has yet to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities. "Sometimes you score and sometimes you don't," Biagi said. "We just haven't had luck until we finally put it all together against Penn State." Biagi leads the team in scoring with 11 points after the first 11 games. Junior assistant captain, Selina Har- ris is a close second with 10 total points. The Wolverines' greatest advan- tage against the Spartans will be its home field one. Against the Nittany Lions, Michigan felt empowered by its fan support. "We have really great fans," Biagi Biagi said. "When it came down to the wire against Penn State, the fans were really on our side and it felt good." Both the Nittany Lions and Michigan State play on natural grass fields. The Wolverines play on turf. Even though Michigan is only 3-3 at home this year, the team is happy to be here. "It's always good to be at home," Biagi said. "It helps us get back in the rhythm and be more focused." iii _ -, -- zG _ _ , - _. DOUGULAS KAN I EVaiy Sophomore midfielder Michelle Smulders and the rest of the field hockey team prepare to face off against the underdog Spartans today. The game will take place at Oosterbaan Field House at 7:00 p.m. Hoops recruits just keep on coming: Albert White to commit to Michigan Fisher gets off to fast start, landing Inkster forward 4 By RYAN WHITE Daily Basketball Writer Call it Steve Fisher's hobby. In recent years, the Michigan basketball coach has collected the nation's top recruits like some people collect bas- ketball cards, and brought them to play for the Wolverines. The 1991 season brought the Fab Five. This season it's the group of Maceo Baston, Willie Mitchell, Jerod Ward, Maurice Taylor and Travis Conlin. Now, before practice has even gotten underway for the latest class, Fisher is working on next year's edi- tion. Albert White, a 6-foot-6 forward from Inkster, has called a press con- ference for 3 p.m. today and is ex- pected to announce that he will sign with the Wolverines during November's early signing period. "This is a great senior class this year and Albert White is one of the best 20 among the group," said Brick Oettinger, publisher of the recruiting magazine The Poop Sheet. Last season at Inkster, White av- '(When I saw him) 1 thought he had a good stroke, and he does everything else well - including perimeter defense.' Brick Oettinger The Poop Sheet eraged 20 points, 15 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots per game. According to Oettinger, White probably doesn't have the size to play power forward, and could be placed at the off-guard or small forward po- sition when he arrives at Michigan. He will be competeing for playing time with Mitchell and Ward. "The only question about White is how good a jump shooter is he," Oettinger said. "(When I saw him) I thought he had a good stroke, and he does everything else well - includ- ing perimeter defense. "He's an outstanding prospect." Michigan State was among the other schools that White was considering. The Wolverines are still hoping to land two other top prospects in 6- foot-9 Robert Traylor of Detroit Murray-Wright and 6-foot-10 Kevin* Garnett from Chicago. If those two were to sign along with White, Fisher could have his third No.1 recruiting class in the last five years. 4 - U ;' .. ,:: x''_ , :, ..' : :. _ Service means giving you all the information and providing all the extras you need to make your study abroad experience as successful and hassle- I I~ free as possible. We offer a range of services that are both convenient and essential, including pre-depar- ture advising, orientation and fully accredited I