Weekly Release #9
10/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, Oct. 19 -- vs. Virginia Commonwealth (Ocker Field), 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 22 -- vs. Ohio State (Ocker Field), Noon
Sunday, Oct. 29 -- vs. Northwestern (Ocker Field), 1 p.m.
This Week's Lineup
The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team (9-7, 3-1 Big Ten) looks to extend its four-game winning streak, and remain atop the Big Ten Conference standings, when it hosts Virginia Commonwealth and No. 5 Ohio State at Phyllis Ocker Field this week. The Wolverines will take on the Rams Thursday (Oct. 19) at 3 p.m., followed by a noon meeting with the Buckeyes on Sunday (Oct. 22).
Michigan Field Hockey on the Web
Highlights of both home Michigan field hockey games this week will be available on Michigan All-Access (subscription required). Past games against Central Michigan, Michigan State, Ball State and Kent State are also available. Rates are set at $6.95/month and $49.95/year. For more information, visit Michigan All-Access and select "Field Hockey" from the "All Sports" menu, then go to "Highlights."
Maize Rage Takes Over Ocker Field
Fans are encouraged to wear maize to Thursday's (Oct. 19) contest with Virginia Commonwealth for a "Maize Out" as part of the "Go Blue, Wear Maize!" campaign. "Go Blue, Wear Maize" bracelets will also be available at the game.
Alumnae Weekend
Michigan field hockey will welcome back the foundation of its program on Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 21-22) for its annual alumnae weekend in Ann Arbor. Among the scheduled events will be a Saturday football tailgate and evening dinner, a Sunday brunch and a competitive alumnae game immediately following the Wolverines' match against Ohio State. In celebration of the fifth-year anniversary of the 2001 NCAA championship, U-M will also honor members of the team with a ceremony during halftime of Sunday's game. Alumnae interested in participating in the weekend activities are encouraged to contact Terri Jan by email or phone (734-647-1218).
Scouting the Opponents
Virginia Commonwealth -- Thursday's match marks the first-ever meeting between the Wolverines, who are 18-8 all-time against teams from the Colonial Athletic Association, and Virginia Commonwealth. However, the two squads have faced a common opponent this season in Old Dominion: The Wolverines fell 2-0 to the Monarchs (Sept. 10), while VCU suffered a 10-0 home defeat (Oct. 6). The Rams are 3-11 heading into the weekend, and have claimed overtime wins in their two most recent outings -- 4-3 against Drexel (Oct. 8) and 1-0 against Radford (Oct. 13). For more information on VCU, visit www.vcurams.vcu.edu/
Ohio State -- The Wolverines own a 27-21-1 record against Ohio State and have won 13 of the last 17 meetings. In last season's meeting, U-M suffered a 6-1 loss in its conference opener at Ohio State. Kara Lentz (Manchester, Mass./St. Paul's School) scored the lone Michigan goal on a first-half penalty stroke -- the second of her collegiate career. The Buckeyes own an 11-2 mark heading into the weekend, and are 3-1 in Big Ten action with their lone defeat coming against Indiana (1-2, Oct. 1). OSU has won its last three outings, including a 4-0 home victory against Northwestern last Sunday (Oct. 15). For more information on Ohio State, visit www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
Big Ten Standings and Statistics
The Wolverines boast a handful of players among the conference statistical leaders after 16 games this season. On the offensive end, junior Lucia Belassi (Paysandu, Uruguay/Liceo #1) climbed up list in several categories after her explosive effort against Central Michigan (Oct. 10). The Wolverine shares the seventh spot in both points (21) and goals (8), and ranks third in game-winning tallies (3). On the defensive end, Belassi, junior Jillianne Whitfield (Costa Mesta, Calif./New Harbor HS) and senior/junior Kristen Tiner (Houston, Texas/The Kinkaid School) are three of only 12 Big Ten players to garner a defensive save, and senior Beth Riley (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area HS) owns the fourth spot in both saves (61) and goals against average (1.71), and ranks third in shutouts (2). The latest standings and statistics from the Big Ten Conference can be found by visiting the Big Ten's website.
STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll
Adding wins over Central Michigan and No. 11 Indiana to their recent stretch of success, the Wolverines climbed two positions -- to the No. 18 spot, in the most recent National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll of the top 20 teams in NCAA Division I, released on Tuesday (Oct. 17). The STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll can be found by visiting the NFHCA's site.
STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll (10/17/06)
Rank, Team (first-place votes) Points 1. Maryland (33) 679 2. Wake Forest (1) 640 3. Old Dominion 618 4. Duke 555 5. Ohio State 511 6. Boston College 492 7. North Carolina 490 8. Penn State 486 9. Connecticut 392 10. Virginia 369 11. Louisville 316 12. California 281 13. Indiana 266 14. Providence 222 15. Villanova 161 16. James Madison 150 17. Richmond 126 18. MICHIGAN 124 19. American 123 20. Hofstra 34
Statistically Speaking ...
National statistics, compiled for the first time by the NCAA, will be released every Monday during the season. Statistics can be accessed at NCAA Field Hockey.
Belassi Named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
Junior Lucia Belassi (Paysandu, Uruguay/Liceo #1) claimed the first Big Ten weekly honor of her career on Monday (Oct. 16) when she received the offensive nod for her eight-point effort in Michigan's explosive 7-2 win against Central Michigan (Oct. 10). Belassi contributed to all but one of the U-M tallies in its 7-2 victory over CMU, registering two goals and four assists.
Eight is Great
Junior Lucia Belassi's eight points against Central Michigan (Oct. 10) were the most in a single game by a U-M player since Jessica Blake scored four goals against CMU on Sept. 17, 2004 -- a contest in which Belassi, as a freshman, recorded six points on two goals and two assists.
Milestone Games
Senior goalkeeper Beth Riley appeared in her 75th career game against Central Michigan last Tuesday (Oct. 10). Riley has held sole possession of the U-M school record in career games played by a goalkeeper since her first start this season, when she broke the tie with former recordholder Rachael Geisthardt (62, 1992-95). Senior Jill Civic (Wescoville, Pa./Emmaus HS), with 83 career games played, leads the rest of the current Wolverine team in the category, needing just three more appearances to crack Michigan's all-time top 10 in career games played.
Lending a Helping Hand
Senior Mary Fox (St. Louis, Mo./Cor Jesu Academy) helped set up the Wolverines' game-winning tally against Indiana last Sunday (Oct. 15) with the push on a first-half penalty corner. It was Fox's sixth assist of the season and the 23rd of her career, moving her into ninth place among Michigan's all-time assists leaders -- a spot she shares with Shelley Johnson (1996-97). The Wolverine senior will need three more helpers to reach the eighth spot, currently held by two-time All-American Kristi Gannon (36, 2000-03).
Shutting Down the Competition
Senior goalkeeper Beth Riley picked up her 16th career shutout in the Wolverines' 1-0 win at Indiana (Oct. 15). Riley owns the fourth spot among Michigan's all-time leaders in the category, needing just one more to reach the third position, currently held by Rachael Geisthardt (17, 1992-95).
Free Hits
After the weekend contests, the Wolverines improved to 25-14-2 in the all-time series against Central Michigan, and improved to 7-5 in the series vs. Indiana ... U-M has won 7 of its last eight meetings against the Hoosiers ... Michigan ended the road portion of its regular-season schedule with an overall 4-7 record (3-5 in away games, 1-2 in neutral games ... The Wolverines are a perfect 5-0 at home this season.
On the Horizon
Michigan will close out the regular-season portion of its 2006 slate next Sunday (Oct. 29) against conference rival Northwestern. The match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Phyllis Ocker Field.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
