Michigan
Penn State
Michigan Wins Second Straight Big Ten Tournament Title
11/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Tournament MVP Courtney Reid (S. Deerfield, Mass./Northfield Mt. Hermon) scored twice for the University of Michigan field hockey team as the fifth-ranked Wolverines captured their second consecutive Big Ten Conference Tournament crown -- and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship -- with a 3-2 victory over No. 7 Penn State on Sunday (Nov. 5) at Ocker Field.
Usually on the assisting end of the scoring sheet, Reid -- Michigan's all-time assist leader -- cracked the scoreless tie when she rocketed in a goal at 25:53 of the first, ending the half at 1-0. Kelli Gannon (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual HS) notched her second goal of the tournament at 24:15 of the second, and Reid broke the game open one minute later when she put the ball in from a scrum at the front of the net to take the score to 3-0.
With the game seemingly well in hand, goalkeeper Maureen Tasch (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) was replaced by freshman Molly Maloney (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest HS) with eight minutes remaining. Penn State came alive and scored two goals, by Cenna Wilkinson at 6:47 and on a penalty-stroke goal by Traci Anselmo at 2:37, to close the gap at 3-2, but the Michigan defense stiffened and closed out the victory.
The reigning NCAA runner-up Wolverines (18-3) will find out their first-round NCAA Regional opponent and game site when the NCAA Tournament pairings are announced Tuesday (Nov. 7) at 8 p.m. EST.
MATCH SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Penn State | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Michigan | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Courtney Reid, 25:53 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Kelli Gannon, 24:15 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Reid, 23:16 (unassisted)
2nd -- PSU, Cenna Wilkerson, 6:47 (unassisted)
2nd -- PSU, Traci Anselmo, 2:37 (Penalty Stroke)
Shots: U-M 9, PSU 7
Goalie Saves: U-M 3 (Maureen Tasch 2, Molly Maloney 1), PSU 5 (Annie Zinkavich)
Penalty Corners: U-M 7, PSU 4
Cards: U-M, Kelli Gannon (green)
Defensive Saves: U-M 2 (Jeanne Shin 1, Ashley Thomas 1), PSU 0
Goalie Entry: U-M, Maloney (8:04, 2nd)
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On the game ... "I'm really satisfied on the way we played. To get up 3-0 on a team like Penn State is quite an accomplishment; they are a great team. We lost focus a little at the end, but we ended up keeping our composure."
On the play of Courtney Reid ... "I think it was the best game she has ever played on both ends of the field. She was just outstanding today."
On switching goalkeepers with eight minutes left in the game ... "I wanted Molly (Maloney) to get some valuable experience in a big game. She played very well when she was in there and made a tough save. There was nothing she could do about the goals she let in. If I had it over again I would do the same."
On the play of her seniors ... "Our seniors showed what they were made of out there. Courtney (Reid) was outstanding, Kelli (Gannon) played excellent as usual, (Jeanne) Shin was always around the ball and Regan (Wulfsberg) played real hard."
Senior Midfielder Courtney Reid
On her play today ... "It was my last game at Ocker [Field] and I think it was my best. Everyone always tells me to shoot more and today I wanted to concentrate on doing that. Most of the time I just try to bring the ball in and set someone up or get a corner, but today I pulled off stuff I never thought I could do."
Penn State Head Coach Charlene Morett
On the game ... "It was an outstanding field hockey game. Michigan made the most of its opportunities where we didn't capitalized inside the circle."
On the possibility of being an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament ... "We have a real good shot at getting the at-large bid. Our team isn't 100 percent healthy, but we will have to put it all on the field. We've relied on Traci (Anselmo) a lot this season and hopefully she'll be able to do it for a couple of more weeks."
Penn State Midfielder Traci Anselmo
On playing injured ... "I played most of the game about 75 percent, but that is what you have to do when comes to postseason play. We have a lot of diversity on our team and that gives us a chance in any game we play."
Contact: Jason Binge (734) 763-4423
