The Michigan Daily -- michigandaily.com September 29, 2014 - 3B The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom September 29, 2014 - 3B 'M' salvages split Redshirt junior midfielder Colin McAtee and the Michigan men's soccer team moved to 0-1-2 in the Big Ten with Sunday's 1-0 loss to No. 7Penn State. 'M' falls to Penn State, 1-0 with 2-1 Michigan dedicates field, beats Rutgers By BEN KIM For the Daily With alumnae from teams one to 41 in the stands for Facility Dedication Day, the pressure was heightened for the Michigan field hockey team to defend its home field. And the Wolverines didn't disappoint. No.14 Michigan (2-1 Big Ten, 7-3 overall) salvaged a weekend split with a 2-1 win over Rutgers (0-3, 4-5) on Sunday. The win came after its first loss in nearly four weeks in a 2-0 defeat against. Maryland last Friday. "The big point of focus was to stay focused," said Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz. "To not get distracted by all the stuff going on and to play quickly." The first half was a perpetual tug of war for control over the game, though the Wolverines were able to score early on their second shot of the game. Redshirt freshman forward Carly Bennett scored in the seventh minute after recovering a blocked shot from junior forward Shannon Scavelli. Michigan was able to maintain the offensive pressure with three additional shots, all coming from penalty corners. Just when the Wolverines seemed to have control of the game, Rutgers came back with three consecutive corners of its own. The Scarlet Knights were able to convert on their final corner with a goal from midfielder Sophie Wright in the 19th minute, tying the game at one. Both teams were unable to score again for the rest of the half, despite having a combined 13 shots. victory "We have a very experienced backfield, so I was proud of them," Pankratz said. "Sammy Gray did a great job marking and defending today and (junior fullback Lauren Thomas) is always solid. It was important, because it wasn't one of our best games. It was an important win to pull out." The beginning of the second half took on a different progression for Michigan, as it lost three players in less than two minutes of play to penalty cards. Redshirt senior midfielder Ainsley McCallister, junior midfielder Jamie Dean and redshirt senior fullback Leslie Smith were awarded yellow, green and yellow cards, respectively. "I don't think we've ever been down three players in my 20 years," Pankratz said. "They defended that very well, and then when you get those three players back, it's a big momentum shift." Rutgers was unable to capitalize on itsĀ° numbers advantage, getting just two shots in the second half. The Wolverines, though, were able to utilize the "momentum shift" when sophomore midfielder Eliza Stein scored the game- winning goal in the 48th minute. Despite Friday's loss and the good, but not great, play in Sunday's win, Pankratz was still pleased with the weekend. "We tried to have time to make a couple of adjustments to help tactically get them a little bit more aggressive, and it worked a little bit, but we can get better at it," she said. "It's a work in progress. But it's being able to win those games that are a struggle that is important, soI was proud of them for that." Wolverines can't pick up first Big Ten win By ISAIAH ZEAVIN-MOSS Daily Sports Writer The stage was set perfectly for a Maize and Blue comeback. As the clock winded down in the second half Sunday at U-M Soccer Stadium, the Michigan men's soccer team was staging its final attack. They were awarded a flurry of corner kicks, and the Nittany Lions' defense seemed on the brink of collapse. But there was never a Wolverine to smash any of the crosses into the back of the net. When the final whistle blew, the score line read No. 7 Penn State 1, Michigan 0. Throughout the game, the Wolverines (0-1-2 Big Ten, 1-4-2 overall) had their chances to score. In the first half, senior "We had our chances, and we midfielder Tyler Arnone didn't put them away," Arnone headed the ball just left of the said. "They put their one chance goal. Later on in the half, after away, and goals change games." a clinical run by freshman Added Michigan coach forward Nate Kohl, Arnone sent Chaka Daley: "We've just got to a ball through the middle of the get lucky. One's got to go in off box, but no Michigan player was of the knee. (This result) is not on the other end. for a lack of playing well. We After dominating the just have to get some positive second half's opening 10 results out of our play." minutes, controlling most of Penn State (3-0-0, 8-0-1) the possession and pace, the came into the game touting Wolverines a defense let up in the that had 57th minute. "W e had allowed just After an W ha our three goals acrobatic save chances and we all season, by Michigan a d presenting goalkeeper didn't put them the Adam Grinwis, Wolverines the ball fell to away." with their the feet of Penn toughest State forward competition Connor yet. Maloney, who confidently and Throughout the game, efficiently knocked the ball into Michigan sent balls into the the lower right corner of the net. center of the field, but they were often poorly timed and erratically placed. While the Wolverines controlled the possession, they could not put the finishing touch on their attack. "As upset and disappointed guys will be that we didn't win today, the belief is there that we can still make this season into something," Arnone said. "We can play against the best teams in the country. Now, it's just knowing what it feels like to win, what it feels like to come out on top." Daley is confident his team will not be too discouraged and will turn things around. "If you play for Michigan, in the Big Ten, it's easy to get pumped up. We play great teams all year, we have a great schedule," Daley said. "We're certainly not giving up or quitting because we lost a few games. We've got to get back to work tomorrow." Back lme embraces 5-3-2 scheme in win Wolverines move to 4-1 in Big Ten after shutout of Michigan State By SHAWN HEROOR Daily Sports Writer To an outsider, a move to a 5-3-2 formation may look like a conservative switch. But according to Michigan women's soccer coach Greg Ryan, the change in formation will play to the Wolverines' strengths. On Saturday, the Wolverines bought in on his plan en route to a 2-1 victory over Michigan State. The new formation, which features five defenders across the backline, looked shaky at times. The Wolverines were bailed out with a couple of great saves by freshman keeper Megan Hinz, but held the Spartans to only one goal and three shots on target. Ryan credited the center backs with holding the Spartans to few opportunities. He praised junior Christina Ordonez, who played all 90 minutes despite battling a sickness. "Defensively, we really carne together, especially in the second half," Ryan said. "Christina was really sick all day and still was outstanding. Game in and game out, she's just been so solid for us." Ordonez, who partnered sophomore Anna Soccorsi and day, and in the second half, junior Sydney Raguse in the we got her and (freshman left center of defense Saturday, wing-back) Taylor Timko more lauded the team's chemistry as involved in the attack. the reason the Wolverines have "We don't want her to sit back gelled so quickly. and defend. She's too dynamic "Playing with your best of an attacker - we need her friends makes it so much easier up the pitch to get our attack to switch formations and going." tactics," Ordonez said. "We're With a major overhaul, the all on the same page, so we've Wolverine defense will continue been able to do some new things to be under scrutiny throughout quickly." Big Ten play. Ryan believes But with that the the new five-person formation, backline will perhaps the "Defensively, continue greatest to pay adjustment we really dividends has come for for the sophomore came together, Wolverines Madisson in the chase Lewis. especially in the for the Currently conference fourth on second half.~ title. the team in "We just points, Lewis need to has been used understand over the past season and a half how to play how to create more as a forward in the Wolverines' opportunities with the new 4-3-3 formation. The switch formation," Ryan said. "I think has moved her into the right once we get Maddie and Taylor wing-back position, in an effort more involved, we can really see to start the attack from the ourselves take off." backline. Added Ordonez: "We're not Lewis transitioned well, trying too look to far ahead in though. Her key contribution the future. We're just trying to came on the defensive end in play to our strengths and take the 49th minute, when her each week as it comes." last-ditch tackle on a Spartan The Wolverines moved to 4-1 forward spoiled a golden in the Big Ten with the win, and opportunity for Michigan State. the strength of their backline "Madi was solid on both should have them right in the sides of the game," Ryan said. thick of the Big Ten race all "Her positioning was good all season. Freshman defensive specialist Caroline Knop led the team with 33 total digs in two matches over the weekend. M ichig an's youth exposed again n1 two B1g Ten losses By TYLER SCOTT Abbey Cole tallied three kills the weekend's matchups, where For the Daily and senior Lexi Dannemiller she saw action for the first time had five assists, helping since she had been diagnosed In its first competition Michigan earn a fourth set win, with mononucleosis. Despite against Big Ten opponents, Cole and Lambert combined not having been able to practice Michigan's youth was exposed for 39 of the or train for once again. Wolverines' a month, After falling to Purdue on the 72 kills while fu * she led the road, the Wolverines were also Dannemiller team in bested by Indiana, with both led all players because assists both losses coming in five sets. with 55 assists. they at Purdue In the first match of the Despite the want to w in and Indiana, weekend. against Purdue, successes, totaling the Wolverines (0-2 Big Ten, Indiana right now." 105 for the 5-7' overall) came out strong, grabbed a 4-3 weekend. winning the first set before fifth set lead When INTERESTED IN JOINING THE . MICHIGAN DAILY SPORTS SECTION? IT'S NOT TOO LATE. EMAIL SPORTSEDITORS@MICHIGANDAILY.COM dropping the next two sets as well as the decisive fifth, falling 25-18, 25-17, 25-21, 25-22, 15-9. After the defeat Friday, Michigan sought to achieve its first conference win of the season on the road against Indiana. Once again they grabbed a first-set advantage before falling in a five-set loss, 25-22, 25-23, 25-21, 27-25, 15-10.. Despite the loss, the Wolverines were nearly able to rally for the comeback after being down 2-1. With Indiana leading 19-9 in the fourth set, a pair of key kills from freshman Adeja Lambert sparked an incredible rally. Sophomore that was never relinquished. It was bolstered by several Wolverine errors before becoming a-15-10 victory to win the match. "Statistically we were better than them in almost every category," said Michigan coach MarkRosen. "Butwhenyoulook at some of the errors we made, we ended up giving almost a full set worth of free points, so we just have tobe more consistent." Injuries have limited the lineup options for Rosen, who has few alternatives besides starting players with limited experience. Dannemiller was only recently made available for they took to the floor on Saturday three of Michigan's starters were underclassmen. Dannemiller was the only senior. As much as the young talent aided the Wolverines' cause, it was evident that there was no substitute for experience. "There's no doubt some of the girls have been put in way too early, but there's not a lot of choice right now, and they've handled the responsibility well," Rosen said. "It's hard because they work hard, they put in a lot of effort and it's frustrating because they want to win right now."