Senior Duo Leads Michigan in Search of NCAA Berth
11/4/1999 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Senior Duo Leads Stickers in Search of NCAA Berth
By Heather Dichter, U-M Athletic Media Relations Student Assistant
The University of Michigan's 1999 field hockey team might have a senior class of just two, but those two players are two of the largest puzzle pieces to solving the solution of securing the Wolverines' first-ever berth to the NCAA Field Hockey Championship.
Ashley Reichenbach (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra HS) and Erica Widder (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) are not only the players on this year's squad with three previous years of collegiate experience, but their teammates also had so much confidence in their skills to have voted them co-captains prior to the start of the season.
| | Reichenbach Widder |
Reichenbach, a defender, and Widder, a midfielder, have established their roles as the leaders of the team with their knowledge of the game. "Experience is an important tool, especially as a defender," Reichenbach said. "It gives you the confidence and composure you need in crunch situations." Reichenbach's defensive skills played an integral role on the 1998 team's 1.1 goals-against average, the result of only allowing 24 goals in 21 games.
The two have each played in over 50 games for the Maize and Blue going back to the 1996 season. "They both have started since their freshman year and have an enormous amount of experience and decision-making ability," commented head coach Marcia Pankratz.
Younger players on the team look to the captains for knowledge on opponents and their fields, for those extra bits of information that Erica and Ashley have picked up in their numerous game appearances. "Ashley and Erica are the backbone of our team and the key to our success," said freshman Jessica Rose (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS). "They are great role models, and I hope to one day that I can fill their shoes."
Adds Pankratz, "They lead by example and are good role models for the young players on our team."
Both have been recognized by the University of Michigan, the Big Ten Conference and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association for their skills on the field as well. For their efforts during the 1998 season, both Widder and Reichenbach were honored on the All-Big Ten second team. Widder also picked up NFHCA West All-America second team honors, while Reichenbach made the West All-America first team and earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament team. Reichenbach was also recognized for her academic achievements, receiving the U-M Athletic Achievement, Academic All-Big Ten Conference and NFHCA Academic All-America Team awards.
Reichenbach has also been recognized as one of the top players her age. Selected with current Wolverine goalie Kati Oakes (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) to the 1997 Junior World Cup National Team, Ashley played internationally in Seoul, South Korea. She has also been a member of the Under-23 National Team.
"International playing experience is quite amazing and can prepare you for just about anything that field hockey on the collegiate level can throw your way," said Reichenbach.
However, the two credit more than just their experience on Phyllis Ocker Field for their leadership. Both captains have taken an active role in SAAC, the Student-Athlete Advisory Council. Widder holds an executive board position and Reichenbach is the student representative on the Board in Control of Intercollegiate Athletics. Other extra-curricular activities in which the two participate have provided them with other opportunities to interact with other student-athletes and leaders and learn from them, which has only increased their abilities to lead on the field.
The captains on the 1999 Michigan field hockey team have plenty of experiences to draw upon when the stickers need leadership the most. And Reichenbach and Widder hope to turn that experience and leadership into Michigan's first invitation to the NCAA Tournament.
Contact: Brent Richards (734) 763-4423
