6B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - October 11, 1999
Blue owns Big Ten lead
Spartans, Northwestern no*
match for Michigan soccer
By Dave Roth
Dai Sports Writer
The Michigan field hockey team battled its way
into first place in the Big Ten this weekend after eke-
ing 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.
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) sus-
tained pressure on goal, and with 18:02 left to play,
midfielder Catherine Formena blasted a free shot
through center. Senior midfielder Ali Balmer redi-
rected 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 condi-
tions and neither offense could get into a rhythm.
Michigan had several opportunities to score on
penalty corners, but each team failed to take advan-
tage on the slick turf.
OU NEYEAT EN
Continued from Page 18
Schmitt scored the goals.
On Friday, Michigan beat Michigan State
3-I.
"It's always a huge rivalry. I know pretty
much everyone on their team," said
Michigan senior captain Shannon Poole.
The Wolverines had to win their fourth
straight game in the series in a downpour.
The weather hampered the offensive
attack of both teams in the scoreless first
half. But in the second half, Michigan adjust-
ed its play to win the game, 3-1.
"Iln these types of games, the scrappiest
team will win," Michigan coach Debbie
Belkin said. "We played a lot better in the
second half."
Despite outshooting the Spartans, 12-4, in
the first half, the Wolverines did not show
control of the game.
"This type of weather is not to our advan-
tage because we are a possession team,"
Beitel said.
Michigan's best first half opportunity
came in the 43rd minute. Amber
Berendowsky at midfield. Berendowsky led
a pass down the left wing to Crumpton, who
drove the ball towards the goal and struck a
shot wide rght.
B 'kins haltinlm adjustments 'howed
immediatel,. The ball barely left Michigan
State;s territory in the half's first 10 mnnut4
the Wolverines challenged goalie Sara
Kloosterman early and often
In the 59th minute, the Wolvennes solved
her. With the ball on the left wing,
Berendowsky drove a cross to the right post.
The ball sailed through Kloosterman's out-
reached hands to Beitel's head, for her sixth
goal of the season. Berendowsky's assist put
her one behind Big Ten's all-time mark of 31i
Just one minute later. Schmitt made the
score 2-0. After a poor defensive clearance
Schmitt found herself with the ball 10 yar4
from the goal. Her left footed strike landed in
the upper-right corner.
After controlling the ball from the back in
the 70th minute, Man Hoff assisted as Marie
Spaccarotella made the score 3-0.
As the game neared its end, Michigan
allowed its first second-half Big Ten goal
when Michigan State midfielder Meghaln
Kolbe tapped in a goal from four yards out.
"The Wolverines are a very dangerou-
team,' Michigan State coach Tom SaxtW
said.
MARJORIE MARShA\LL Da v
Kelli Gannon (3) and the Michigan field ockey
team defeated Northwestern yesterday, 2-
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