Junior defenseman Keaton Pehrson
was caught in unfamiliar territory. As
Michigan underwent a line change,
Pehrson
remained
in
Wisconsin’s
defensive zone. Despite being short three
teammates, Pehrson’s relentless pursuit
of the puck overpowered the Badgers.
He won the battle all by himself and the
Wolverines gained possession. That was
around the time where Michigan would
hit a wall — both literally and figuratively.
Wisconsin’s game plan was clear: Do
not allow the Wolverines any room in the
slot. Their tight-knit defense seemingly
blocked every Michigan shot, constantly
sacrificing their bodies and maintaining
good positioning. They did this successfully
enough to the tune of a 4-2 victory.
Wolverines’
coach
Mel
Pearson
understands other teams’ tendencies,
especially against his talented squad.
“We’re going to see that a lot, teams
just pack it in,” Pearson said. “As the
game wore on, we got better getting to
the net, but we were playing a little too
individualistic. Guys would hold onto the
puck too much instead of give and go and
beat guys.”
Efforts from players like senior forward
Luke Morgan were instrumental in the
Wolverines’ forechecking scheme tonight.
Early in the second period, Morgan
was grinding down in Wisconsin’s
corners. He won a fight for the puck
and eventually, senior forward Jimmy
Lambert possessed it. He was unable to
find sophomore forward Brendan Brisson
— who was wide open in the slot for his
signature one-timer opportunity. That
play didn’t define the game, but it was a
microcosm of Michigan’s struggles.
The forecheck was excellent. All four
lines of forwards and even the defensemen
were active, bullying their way to the puck
and setting up in the offensive zone. But,
mostly due to the Badgers’ shutdown
defense, they weren’t able to generate
many scoring looks.
“I didn’t think we were getting it to
the net enough in the first 40 minutes
of the game,” senior forward Jimmy
Lambert said. “If we did get it to the net, we
didn’t really have anyone there to collect
rebounds or puck retrievals in the corners.”
Even on the typically outstanding
power play, the Wolverines had a
difficult time finding the net. Brisson was
robbed of a goal by a blocked shot from
a Wisconsin defenseman. Despite the
opportunities, there always seemed to be
a wall of red guarding the crease.
In the rare instances when Badger
goaltender
Cameron
Rowe
was
challenged, he rose to the occasion. His
plethora of sprawling and acrobatic
saves held Michigan to only two goals,
propelling Wisconsin to the upset victory.
As the Wolverines maintain their national
spotlight, expect other teams to give them
their best game.
“Everyone knows who we are,
everyone has high expectations for us and
we have high expectations for ourselves,”
Lambert said. “Man to man, I just think
that we have to be better because it’s Big
Ten time.”
Seniors like Lambert have been
through the wringer a few times now,
but for the rest of the team, lessons like
tonight will prove invaluable during
the postseason. If Michigan wants to
compete for a national championship,
they will need to perform for 60 minutes,
not just play desperate catchup.
Pearson added: “We just have to start
with that urgency on the drop of the puck.
We have to continue to play with that
urgency from the get-go.”
Down 1-0 against No. 7 Penn
State on Friday, the No. 2 Michigan
field hockey team (13-3 overall, 5-3
Big Ten) shifted into a higher gear,
scoring twice in the final ten minutes
to take the lead. With three minutes
left in the game, the Wolverines were
finally in the driver’s seat.
It ended up being three minutes
too long. With the game clock in it’s
final ticks, the Nittany Lions (13-4,
4-2) tied it up to send the game into
overtime. After a back and forth start
to the period, the Wolverines’ 2021
regular season ended in the seventh
minute with a disappointing 3-2 loss.
“The team worked hard to come
back from being behind,” Michigan
coach Marcia Pankratz said. “We
just had one too many elements that
weren’t up to snuff.”
While both teams started slow —
combining for only four shots in the
first half — the pace quickly picked
up in the second. Just 90 seconds into
the third quarter, Penn State forward
Emma Spisak fired a shot past senior
goalkeeper Anna Spieker.
The momentum stayed firmly
in the Nittany Lions’ corner, as they
held the Wolverines to just one
shot on goal. In the fourth quarter,
however, Michigan fired on all
cylinders offensively, putting six
shots on goal off the sticks of five
Wolverine players.
Though Penn State goalkeeper
Brie Barraco was able to save the
majority of the shots, one of the saves
bounced right to Michigan freshman
midfielder Alana Richardson, who
put it back on the net for the first of
the Wolverines’ day.
Michigan found its tie-breaker
with less than three minutes left to
play, in a penalty corner conversion
off the stick of senior midfielder Sofia
Southam.
“One of our strengths this year
has been our perseverance,” redshirt
senior Halle O’Neill said. “Even
though we haven’t trailed that many
times, we’ve still been able to pull
back even when we’ve needed to and
then get ahead.”
The lead was short lived however
as Penn State forward Sophia
Gladieux snuck the ball past Spieker
just one minute later to end regulation
tied at two. In the overtime period,
the Wolverines initially were in
firm control but faltered after being
unable to find the back of the cage in
their three chances.
The Nittany Lions took advantage,
and midfielder Mackenzie Allessie
ended the game in the seventh
minute.
“Any team can beat any team
in the Big Ten, no matter where
you are in the rankings,” Pankratz
said. “If you don’t play all 60, 70,
however many minutes it takes
to get a result, you’re not giving
yourself the best chance to win,
plain and simple.”
After starting with a perfect 11-0
record, the Wolverines suffered
a shaky finish to their campaign,
losing three of their final five games.
Members of the team chalked part of
the issue up to the schedule; of their
final five games, four — including all
three losses — came against top 10
opposition.
“The scheduling was rough this
year,” O’Neill said. “We ended up
facing the best teams as they were
reaching their stride.
“That being said, it’s hard to beat
a good team twice. We’ll face at least
one of the teams that beat us again in
the tournaments, and we’ll be ready
for them.”
The Michigan volleyball team was
ready for a fight against Iowa.
The first set of play was hotly
contested, with each team fighting
to create any sort of separation. It
wasn’t until the score was tied at
13 that either team could jump out
to a significant lead. Sophomore
setter Scottee Johnson launched
the ball towards sophomore outside
hitter Jess Mruzik, who spiked it
off the Iowa blocker’s outstretched
hands to earn a critical side out. The
Wolverines subsequently rattled off
a quick seven-point run and dropped
just four more points en route to a
comfortable 25-16 first set win.
Patient
but
aggressive.
This
mantra repeated by coach Mark
Rosen
perfectly
encapsulates
Michigan’s win in straight sets over
the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“We kept pushing them,” Rosen
said. “We kept pressuring them, and
all of sudden in the first set we broke
it open.”
Michigan played a consistent
match, tallying just eight errors
over three sets of play — half of
Iowa’s 16. The constant pressure
of the Wolverines’ capable outside
players eventually overwhelmed the
Hawkeyes. Iowa lost the first two sets
after major Michigan scoring runs
and was unable to even put up a fight
in the third.
Mruzik totaled 14 kills on .481
hitting, and senior outside hitter
Paige Jones added another 11 kills
on .258 hitting. Both players posted
accuracy marks well above their
averages for the season.
“Iowa is a really good blocking
team,” Mruzik said. “I just wanted to
keep swinging high and (use) the top
of their hands to get as many lucky
bounces as possible.”
Mruzik
aimed
high
and
repeatedly bounced her booming
spike off the outstretched hands
of the Iowa middle blockers. This
strategy, a product of Rosen’s game
plan, resulted in many side outs and
runs in the Wolverines’ favor. Time
and time again, Michigan relied on
its outside hitters — and time and
time again, they rose to the occasion.
“I was really pleased with how
steady our team played,” Rosen said.
“Iowa played really well, especially
in the first set early and the second
set. They were hitting great numbers
(and) running a really good offense.”
As a team, Michigan was able
to
outpace
Iowa’s
formidable
offensive attack due to its patient but
aggressive scheme. The Wolverines
were never fazed, even when the
Hawkeyes held a three-point lead
midway through the second set.
Inevitably, Iowa would make an
error. Two missed attack chances by
the Hawkeyes led to a one-point lead
in Michigan’s favor. The Wolverines
never relinquished the lead again.
Michigan’s dazzling 51 kills on
.391 hitting are numbers that prove a
trust in Rosen’s ideals. The relatively
low volume of attempts, only 10
more than Iowa, proves that the
Wolverines were able to put the ball
away consistently.
Patience and aggression have
allowed
this
Michigan
team
to approach its full potential.
Few teams can keep up with
Michigan’s outside hitters when
they are able to grind their
opponents down in the way they
did Saturday.
Led by outside hitters, Michigan
offense dismantles Iowa
No. 2 Michigan drops final regular
season game against No. 7 Penn State
JOSHUA MESSE
For the Daily
LUKE HALES/Daily
Wisconsin’s game plan was clear: Do not allow the
Wolverines any room in the slot. Their tight-knit
defense seemingly blocked every Michigan shot.
JEREMY WEINE/Daily
Alana Richardson scored Michigan’s first goal in its loss to Penn State.
The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Sports
10 — Wednesday, November 3, 2021
TESS CROWLEY/Daily
Wolverines’ senior outside hitter Paige Jones notched 11 kills in the Wolverines’ win over Iowa.
DAVID WOELKERS
Daily Sports Writer
Michigan can’t complete the sweep,
comes up short versus Wisconsin
SAM BERNARDI
Daily Sports Writer
There are few weak spots on
the Michigan hockey team. Its No.
3 ranking and 6-2-0 record are
indicative of a well-balanced roster.
But, its two losses are enough to
prove that, as a matter of fact, it does
have some flaws. The Wolverines
are most vulnerable when they
allow odd-man rushes, the blame
falling not only on their defensemen,
but on their forwards too.
Michigan has a host of talented
offensive defensemen, including
senior
Nick
Blankenburg,
sophomore
Owen
Power
and
freshman Luke Hughes. Their skill
allows them to push in transition
and join in on the attack. When
successful, they offer a huge boost
to the Wolverines. On the season,
Power leads the Michigan blueliners
with two goals and eight points,
while Hughes is not far behind
with two goals and seven points.
Blankenburg, the team’s speedy
captain, has already recorded three
goals and four points this year.
There is no denying that this
offensive-minded style of play has
been productive for the Wolverines.
But, it has also been detrimental in
unsettled situations when they’ve
had to get back on defense quickly.
“If the weak side (defenseman)
is gonna jump we have to be more
aware of that,” fifth-year forward
Michael Pastujov said. “As soon as
(opponents) see us jumping they’re
gonna be jumping the other way.
The forwards just gotta be aware of
the situation. …It’s something we’re
working on in practice, trying to
limit those odd-man rushes.”
Friday night versus Wisconsin,
Michigan
sacrificed
several
breakaways following defensive
breakdowns.
Oftentimes,
the
Badgers would start in their own
zone, take advantage of the overly-
aggressive Wolverine defenders
and play a pass ahead for a cutting
forward. Whether it was a neutral
zone turnover or a defenseman who
pinched too much in the offensive
zone, Wisconsin was able to expose
Michigan’s lack of discipline.
The team does not want to
discourage its defensemen from
initiating scoring chances, but
communication
with
forwards
is imperative for recoveries and
preventing sophomore goaltender
Erik Portillo from facing opponents
alone.
“We have some defensemen
that are really good activating
and joining the rush offensively,”
assistant coach Bill Muckalt said.
“With that, a lot of times we’re
asking a forward to fill into that
position.”
Even more frustrating for the
Wolverines is how solid they’ve
played in their own defensive
zone. Opponents have struggled to
produce even-strength goals and to
maintain possession. Considering
how comfortable they look in their
own zone, it’s crucial for Michigan
to address its issues in transition.
“Our (defensive) zone coverage
has been fantastic,” Muckalt said.
“Because we’ve been sustaining
a lot of (offensive) zone time and
pressure when there is a breakdown,
we just have to be aware whether
it’s a defensive man holding the line
or (a forward) as a backtrack.”
On the other side of the ice,
Michigan struggles to backcheck.
The team is extremely effective
while forechecking, so it’s a bit
surprising that its forwards have not
replicated this effort getting back
on defense. This issue resonates not
just in its forwards but throughout
the team.
“One thing we harp on a lot is
coming back for a purpose, not just
coming back to come back,” junior
defenseman Jack Summers said.
“If you’re coming back, you have to
get their stick. You can’t just stand
there. … Those loose pucks can’t get
put in.”
The Badgers may have found a
blueprint that other Big Ten teams
will try to replicate against the
Wolverines: pack the defensive zone
and take advantage of the overly-
aggressive Michigan defensemen.
This
upcoming
series
versus
Michigan State will show fans if
Michigan can fix its mistakes, or
if there are more concerns for the
future.
SAM BERNARDI
Daily Sports Writer
Forecheck thrives, but scoring opportunities are hard to come by for Michigan
KATE HUA/Daily
While defensemen’s offensive aggression has generated many scoring chances for Michigan, it has also left it exposed to
odd-man rushes.
Wolverines finish 4th in women’s cross
country Big Ten Championship
As the runners passed the 2.5-mile mark of the six-
kilometer (3.73-mile) Big Ten Championship race, the
Michigan women’s cross country team looked to be
in a prime position to take home the title.
In first place with 59 points and three Wolverines
in the top 10, Michigan looked to capitalize on its
position. As the runners approached the 3-mile
mark, junior Ericka VanderLende, accompanied
by Minnesota’s Megan Hasz and Michigan State’s
Jenna Magness, held a tight lead. As they kicked
the wet mud behind them going up the final hill, it
was shaping up to be a photo finish. But on the final
push, Hasz edged out VanderLende for the Big Ten
title by 0.8 seconds.
No. 9 Michigan finished fourth at the Big Ten
Championships on Friday in a highly competitive
event. The tight race around Penn State’s Blue and
White Golf Courses was the most competitive race
the Wolverines had all season.
In the first mile, the runners practically blended
together. Everyone was running stride by stride,
foreshadowing a race that would come down to
the final kilometer.
“This was definitely our most competitive race
with many people close together,” VanderLende
said. “(It was) a little intimidating because we
haven’t really had a great split like that.”
VanderLende stayed at the front of the pack,
placing in the top five at every mile split.
“Today was a good day,” VanderLende said.
“Personally, I think it’s been a long time coming to
have a decent race for me and when the stakes are
higher, I feel like I race better. So I think it worked
out well individually as well.”
VanderLende wasn’t the only Michigan
runner to have a good day, though. Senior Kayla
Windemuller put up a personal best herself.
Windemuller also fought at the front for the
entire duration of the event. The first time All-
Big Ten honoree missed out on fifth place by 0.4
seconds.
“Mostly, I just wanted to maintain my
position,” Windemuller said. “(Michigan coach
Mike McGuire) would tell us before the race that
every place that you’re in is precious, but the only
place ahead of you is more precious than the one
you’re in.”
The runners had a tricky course, dealing with
strong rain and heavy winds for the duration of
the event. Not only did they run on wet grass, but
the runners had to weave between trees and trek
uphill for large parts of the course. Windemuller
and the Wolverines, though, had the benefit
of running this course before. Experience that
competitors lacked.
“It was kind of fun,” said Windemuller. “It’s
kind of what cross country is all about. Just the
mental toughness, working hard and the tough
conditions. If anything, it was my favorite because
we were dealing with a lot of rain even in practice.”
Added VanderLende: “The weather, definitely,
has an impact on my mental state, but I just tried
to push it away. Normally, I don’t enjoy running
in the cold, but just setting that aside, focusing on
the task at hand really helps take my mind off the
conditions.”
Although the Wolverines failed to take home
the Big Ten Championship, Michigan has a chance
at redemption as it prepares for the NCAA Great
Lakes Regional on Nov. 12 in Evansville, Ind.
JAKE SINGER
Daily Sports Writer