12 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, July 8, 2002
THE DEFENSE OF A TITLE
After losing five seniors, national champs' core still remains untouched v
By Albert KimE Daily Sports Writer

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For the Michigan field hockey
team, this summer is not just
any other. In fact, this summer
is unlike any other in its history.
With the Wolverines' first ever
national title last November, the
spotlight is on the defending
champs. But outside of some new
recruits, the Wolverines haven't
changed from previous years.
There are no extra intensive work-
outs or extra camps to attend.
Nobody is being forced to stay in
Ann Arbor or go anywhere to train.
It's just another relaxing and fun
summer, whether it be teaching at
kid's camps, playing pick up
gamesor working at an internship.
And, the sometimes anticipated and
often dreaded package still came in
the mail.
"You get the binder in the mail,
and it's like the worst day of the
year," senior midfielder Molly Pow-

ers said while laughing. "It has
motivational readings and workouts,
but it's good because everyone stays
on the same page throughout the
summer."
The packet is compiled by
Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz
and assistant coaches Nancy Cox
and Ashley Reichenbach. It is
designed to keep the team focused
and ready for the long season
ahead. With articles written by ath-
letes such as Brett Hull on how he
visualizes shooting, itsis a valuable
binder for sure.
"Hockey and field hockey are two
different sports, but Brett Hull is
inspirational because he's a hard
worker," senior Jessica Rose said.
"He gets into the right places, and
that's 90 percent of shooting."
The packet actually is versatile in
terms of its use, containing interpre-
tation on everything from nutrition

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to dealing with anxiety. In addition,
the past year's seniors get a chance
to write to the remaining players.
"Every page has a little quote,
and there's always a letter from a
graduating senior," Rose said. "Any-
body can pick it up, and it'll help in
exams or things like that."
Rose actually enjoys getting hers
in the mail now.
"I've actually matured and enjoy
getting my workout book," Rose
said. "They're maize instead of blue
like the last three years, so that
makes them a little cooler."
For those players who have the
time, the United Airlines Field
Hockey League is an opportunity
to play competitive field hockey
with and against some of the best
college players in the country. Nine
players are representing Michigan
on the Midwest Cyclones, includ-
ing forwards April Fronzoni, Pow-
ers, Jen Zangara and Pankratz. For
the forwards, it has been a unique
experience playing with their coach
on the field.
"It's pretty funny," Powers said.
"She's an awesome player, and its
fun to play with her because she's so
intense. She's out there playing and
coaching at the same time."
"There's a rule that everyone over
the age of 25 doesn't have to run, so
she just hangs out around the net."
On defense, Reichenbach,
Stephanie Johnson, Kristi Gannon
and Kate Dillon have all played,
while Molly Maloney has been in
goal.
Playing on the Cyclones isn't the
easiest adjustment for Michigan
players though. The different
philosophies and styles of play of
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the players from different
schools are tough to
meld together, despite
the fact that there is so
much talent.
"You learn to play
with each other at
Michigan, and you learn
a certain style of play,"
Powers said. "But playing
with these other girls, we're not
used to their style of defense or
the way they run."
Despite all of this, the
Cyclones made a run at the
championship this past weekend
in Virginia Beach, Va., only to
fall to the Southern Charm, 5-0,
in the finals. The
Cyclones were led by
Fronzoni, who came in
third place in the league
in regular-season goals. It
was a good tune-up for the Michi-
gan players and a good opportunity
to make friends with players from
rival teams.
"The whole thing behind games
and sports is friendly competition,"
Powers said. "It's cool because I've
been playing with Kelsey Keeran
from North Carolina, one of our big
rivals."
By the time Michigan faces those
big rivals during the season, the
Wolverines will be well acquainted
with their talented freshman class,
which is headed by defender Lori
Hillman.
The class includes hometown tal-
ents Katie Morris and Catherine
Pickard, goalkeeper Nancy
Franklinand midfielder Nicole
Lonsway. But it is Hillman that has
impressed everyone the most of all.
"Hillman is a great player, I saw
her play for the first timeaat a camp,
and she plays like she's much
older," Powers said.
Despite losing five seniors this
year, the deep and talented Wolver-
ines don't expect the excellent team
chemistry to change with the new
additions.
"We all live in the same houses
off the field, and we always have
each other's back," Powers said. "I
always refer to ourselves as a field

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But it's not just a family now; it's
a championship family.
"They're coming into a confident
team that has proven themselves,"
Rose said. "There are leaders at
every level, and they're going to
have a great year."

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