Weekly Release #6
10/6/1998 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
BUCKEYES, NITTANY LIONS LOOMING
After two big conference victories at Iowa and Northwestern, the 11th-ranked Michigan field hockey team faces the two toughest challenges of the season thus far. The eighth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes come to town Friday (Oct. 9) at 3 p.m. fresh off a 1-0 upset of then-No. 5 Penn State. On Sunday (Oct. 11) at 1 p.m., the Wolverines must turn around and face Penn State, which is ranked sixth in this week's poll.
The Buckeyes are tied with Michigan for the conference lead at 3-0, while Penn State trails closely behind at 2-1. In 1997, the Wolverines faced both foes three times (once each in the Big Ten tournament). The three teams were very evenly matched as four of the six matches were decided by one goal and two of the three games against Ohio State were decided in overtime. Michigan is 16-17-2 all-time vs. Ohio State and 2-12 vs. Penn State.
Penn State is led by 1997 All-Big Ten first-teamer Dawn Lammey who has 14 goals and 11 assists. Ohio State goalie Anna Schwartz is allowing 0.85 goals per game and leads the Big Ten with five shutouts, while Jayne Landis leads the Buckeyes with eight goals.
WOLVERINES RANKED 11TH
The Michigan field hockey team is ranked 11th in the Oct. 6 National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll. Despite winning both games during the previous week, the Wolverines slipped two spots from No. 9. The only other Big Ten schools in the top 25 are Penn State and Ohio State, ranked sixth and eighth, respectively.
Big Ten Overall W L T Pct. W L T Pct. 1. Ohio State 3 0 0 1.000 8 1 0 .889 MICHIGAN 3 0 0 1.000 10 2 0 .833 3. Penn State 2 1 0 .667 8 3 0 .727 Michigan State 2 1 0 .667 6 6 0 .500 5. Iowa 0 4 0 .000 4 7 0 .364 Northwestern 0 4 0 .000 4 8 0 .333
WOLVERINES KNOCK OFF IOWA FOR THIRD STRAIGHT TIME
Michigan headed into Iowa City, Iowa, Friday, Oct. 2, to face traditional power Iowa in a critical match for both teams. It was the Wolverines who came out on top 2-0 as Kelli Gannon (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual HS) came up big for the Maize and Blue, scoring the only two goals of the game in a driving rainstorm. Goalie Kati Oakes (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) recorded the shutout, giving her four and a half on the season. The victory was U-M's third consecutive over the Hawkeyes, who had won the previous 31 games.
COMEBACK KEEPS WOLVERINES IN FIRST
Evanston, Ill., was the final destination of the Wolverines' two-game road trip and once again, great individual efforts were the story of the game in a 3-2 U-M victory. NU got off to the early lead, scoring the first two goals of the game, but Michigan's defense tightened as the offense took over. Kelli Gannon scored the first goal for the Maize and Blue to cut the deficit to one with 13:40 remaining in the first half. In the second half, Michigan was dominant as Gannon assisted Amy Philbrook (Marblehead, Mass./Marblehead HS) on two goals, and the defense allowed only two second half shots. The victory was Michigan's third consecutive win over the Wildcats and fifth in 33 tries.
PHILBROOK INJURED
Senior captain Amy Philbrook injured her knee in the second half of the contest at Northwestern. She was scheduled to have an MRI Wednesday (Oct. 7). Results will be known later in the week.
Contact: Brent Richards (734) 763-4423
