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- * 1 ~~Introducing n&eibe Phillip Glass with very 119 special guest vrtt Des .;4 f., __i co from 4 Ashley Fo ayStudent Macisaac Musa Suso Tickets SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1999 * 7:30 PM HILL AUDITORIUM - ANN ARBOR Tickets available at the Michigan Union Ticket Office, all TicketMaster locations and the Jewel Heart Store. Special Artist Reception tickets at Jewel Heart only. To charge b phone : 734-763-TKTS or 248-645-6666. Poetry Contest Winner reads onstage. 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