Michigan Wins Big Ten Title, Claims First NCAA Bid

Sunday, November 7

Columbus, Ohio

1:00 PM

Michigan

Iowa

11/7/1999 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Led by tournament Most Valuable Player Kelli Gannon (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual HS), the eighth-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team completed an incredible run in the Big Ten Conference Tournament with a 2-1 victory over third-ranked Iowa on Sunday (Nov. 7). With the win, Michigan claimed its first-ever Big Ten Tournament title after losing in the title game to Penn State the last two years. The Wolverines will also be making their first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. The pairings will be announced tomorrow (Monday, Nov. 8).

Behind first-half goals from Gannon and freshman Jessica Rose (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS), Michigan (17-6) was able to hold off Iowa (17-2) in the second half to claim the championship. Gannon scored five of Michigan's eight goals in the tournament to earn MVP honors.

All of the scoring came in the first half as the Maize and Blue took a 2-0 lead. Gannon found the back of the net with 13:32 remaining and Rose scored an unassisted goal less than two minutes later, with 11:55 remaining. Iowa's Tiffany Leister converted a penalty corner with 5:37 left in the half and the defenses would take over after that point.

"I'm so proud of the team because it's such a difficult tournament," commented Michigan head coach Marcia Pankratz. "It's the toughest tournament in the nation. We beat No. 4 (Penn State) and No. 3 (Iowa) on No. 11's (Ohio State) home field. It's a very tough tournament for us, playing three days in a row against unbelievably great competition. I'm proud of them because they played with heart and played as a team."

Michigan is the only team to defeat Iowa this season. On Oct. 8, the Wolverines defeated the Hawkeyes 1-0 in Ann Arbor.

"It was Groundhog Day of yesterday," commented Gannon. "We've been working on those tips all year and it finally paid off. I think I've scored more this tournament than I have all season. It's unbelievable right now."

Gannon, a junior, heads the list of Michigan players named to the all-tournament team. Also named to the team was senior defender Ashley Reichenbach (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra HS), the conferences Defensive Player of the Year, and junior goalkeeper Kati Oakes (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS).

Michigan will return to action Saturday (Nov. 13) in the first round of the 16-team NCAA Tournament. The opponent, site and time will be announced Tuesday (Nov. 9).

MATCH SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Michigan	2	0	2
Iowa	1	0	1

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Kelli Gannon, 13:32 (Catherine Foreman)
1st -- U-M, Jessica Rose, 11:55 (unassisted)
1st -- UI, Tiffany Leister, 5:37 (Tiffany Leister, Alycin Freet)

Shots: U-M 15, Iowa 8
Saves: U-M 6 (Kati Oakes), Iowa 7 (Kelly Druly)
Penalty Corners: U-M 7, Iowa 6
Defensive Saves: None

All-Tournament Team
Traci Anselmo, Penn State
Amy Haase, Northwestern
Kelli Gannon, Michigan (MVP)
Lesley Irvine, Iowa
Tracey Larson, Penn State
Quan Nim, Iowa
Kati Oakes, Michigan
Kimberly Reedy, Ohio State
Ashley Reichenbach, Michigan
Sarah Thorn, Iowa
Marije van Nouhuys, Ohio State

Contact: Brent Richards (734) 763-4423