Penn State Stops Wolverines 4-2

Friday, October 29

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

Penn State

10/29/1999 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The eighth-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team fell to No. 4 Penn State for the second time this season, losing by a count of 4-2 on Friday (Oct. 29) at Ocker Field. The loss drops Michigan to third place in the Big Ten Conference standings, which means the Wolverines (13-6, 6-3 Big Ten) will not receive a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament next weekend (Nov. 4-7) in Columbus, Ohio.

Penn State (15-3, 7-2 Big Ten) raced to a 4-0 lead early in the second half behind two goals apiece from Maegan Galie and Tracey Larson. Larson scored two goals within two minutes in the second half on identical penalty corner plays. On each play, the ball was stopped by Traci Anselmo, while Larson slid to the right side of the goal to find herself wide open for the shot.

After Penn State's final goal, with 21:34 remaining in the second half, the Wolverines inserted goalie Maureen Tasch (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) and began to mount a comeback. Regan Wulfsberg (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown HS) scored her sixth goal of the season on a two-on-one breakaway alongside Jessica Rose (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS). Kelli Gannon (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual HS) scored Michigan's second goal with 8:14 remaining on a penalty corner play with assists from Courtney Reid (South Deerfield, Mass./Northfield-Mount Hermon HS) and Catherine Foreman (Happy Valley, South Australia/Westminster School).

"I'm disappointed," commented Michigan head coach Marcia Pankratz. "Penn State capitalized on scoring opportunities while we didn't. This means that we are going to have to play all three days of the Big Ten Tournament instead of two. It's going to be hard, but not impossible."

The win was Penn State's sixth consecutive in the series and the Nittany Lions now lead the all-time series by a count of 17-2. Michigan will return to action Sunday (Oct. 31) when No. 11 Ohio State visits Ocker Field for a noon contest and Youth Appreciation Day.

MATCH SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Penn State	2	2	4
Michigan	0	2	2

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- PSU, Maegan Galie, 29:51 (Tracey Larson)
1st -- PSU, Galie, 10:32 (Traci Anselmo)
2nd -- PSU, Larson, 23:11 (Anselmo)
2nd -- PSU, Larson, 21:34 (Anselmo)
2nd -- U-M, Regan Wulfsberg, 19:02 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Kelli Gannon, 8:14 (Courtney Reid, Catherine Foreman)

Shots: U-M 13, PSU 13
Saves: U-M 7 (Kati Oakes 6, Maureen Tasch 1), PSU 8 (Heidi Leuchte)
Penalty Corners: U-M 8, PSU 5
Defensive Saves: None

Contact: Brent Richards (734) 763-4423