i The Michigan Daily - SportsTuesday - September 3, 2002 - 21A Deacons beat Blue for third- straight time By Ban Steer Daily Sports Writer Wake Forest is becoming a thorn in the Michigan field hockey team's side. For the second straight year, the Demon Deacons handed the Wolverines their first loss of the season, recording a 2-0 shutout during the ACC/Big Ten Chal- lenge in Chapel Hill this past weekend. The loss gave the Wolverines a weekend split after they beat North Carolina 2-0 on Saturday. Michigan (1-1), the defending national champion, has now lost three straight to Wake Forest since its thrilling 3-2 double-overtime victory in the first round of the 1999 NCAA tournament. The Wolverines had numerous opportunities to score against Wake Forest goalkeeper Katie Ridd, but they were unable to take advantage of 10 shots and five penalty corners. "We got off a lot of shots, but we just didn't finish in the circle," senior forward Molly Powers said. "It was very similar to our opener against them last year when we lost a tough one in overtime." The Demon Deacons clung to a precarious 1-0 lead for nearly the entire game, until Heather Auginbaugh sealed the win with a rebound score on Michigan goal- tender Molly Maloney just before the final minute. Despite the tough loss, playing against a perennial power like Wake Forest early in the season will make Michigan a stronger team. Defensive effort wavers for stickers over the weekend By Albert Kim Daily Sports Writer Defense wins championships, as the Michigan field hockey team found out during its national title run last year. Michigan can only hope that this year there will be more days like Saturday, and fewer days like Sunday.. After playing a virtually flawless defensive game on Saturday against North Carolina and allowing just one shot on goal, the Wolverines faltered against a strong Wake Forest attack on Sunday, yielding 18 shots. The Wolverines walked away from the Big Ten/ACC challenge in Chapel Hill, NC with a 1-1 record to start their championship defense. "Wake Forest came at us with more on Sunday," sophomore defender Kate Dillon said. Michigan allowed Kelly Dolton and Wake Forest too many chances and penalty corners to win. Maloney was tested early and often, and despite her career high four saves, the team fell 2-0. "She played really well for us," freshman defender Lori Hillman said. "She's a good leader and keeps every- one in good position." Communication was another prob- lem in the Wake Forest game. "I felt stronger on Saturday," Dillon said. "On Sunday, I think we stopped communicating a little bit, and I was more hesitant to go to the ball." The shutout win on Saturday was impressive, given the three vital play- ers that Michigan lost from of its championship defense of a year ago. The departures of starting goalie Maureen Tasch and top defenders Catherine Foreman and Laura Stinson left formidable holes in Michigan's defense. For many teams, losing those players would require time for the new defense to gel. The Wolverines aren't buying that theory though. Coming off a cham- pionship has changed their perspec- tive, and the Wolverines aren't expecting any drop-offs in chem- istry or talent. "I think we have a really great out- look this year," Dillon said. "We're really strong and cohesive as a defense." Juniors Stephanie Johnson and Kristi Gannon are expected to anchor a talented and deep defense, and Maloney will be looked upon to carry the load in goal. According to Dillon, Maloney has comparable experience to Tasch, and will be up to the challenge. JESICA YURASEK/Daily Freshman defenseman Lori Hillman fights the weather and the U.S. National Team on Aug. 23. "It definitely sets the tempo for the rest of the season and gives us a high standard so we know what we need to work on;' Powers said. North Carolina, another field hockey powerhouse, suffered its first-ever home loss to Michigan as the Wolverines improved their all-time record against the Tar Heels to 2-5. Junior forward April Fronzoni provided all the scor- ing for Michigan, falling just one goal shy of her sec- ond straight hat trick against North Carolina. "I think our team chemistry is great right now because of the new system," Fronzoni said. "The defenders and midfielders did a great job of getting the ball to the forwards." Michigan's new system is a 4-4-2 line formation, in which the defenders and midfielders can get the ball to the forwards, allowing the Wolverines to use their speed as a weapon. The Wolverines will now return to And Arbor for a nine-game homestand. Michigan's only other match this year 1-0 exhibition contest against the U.S. nation- al team. Kristi Gannon, the Wolverines' No. 2 scorer from a year ago, put in the lone Team USA goal to beat her alma mater. "It was more of a friendly match," Powers said. "Kristi is always a tough competitor, and it was inspir- ing to see a former teammate on the national team. It shows where your hard work can lead."