Weekly Release #7
10/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, Oct. 6 -- vs. Michigan State (Ocker Field), 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8 -- at Miami of Ohio (Oxford, Ohio), 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 10 -- vs. Central Michigan (Ocker Field), 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15 -- at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), 1 p.m.
This Week's Lineup
The No. 20-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team (5-7, 1-1 Big Ten) looks to remain undefeated at Phyllis Ocker Field when it hosts Michigan State this Friday (Oct. 6) at 3 p.m. The Wolverines will then travel to Oxford, Ohio, on Sunday (Oct. 8) for a 1 p.m. match with Miami (Ohio) at the Miami Turf Field.
Michigan Field Hockey on the Web
Highlights of Friday's Michigan field hockey game against the Spartans will be available on Michigan All-Access (subscription required). Past games against Kent State and Ball 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."
This Friday's Promotional Events
The Wolverine field hockey program invites all Michigan students out to this Friday's (Oct. 6) match against Michigan State as part of U-M Residential Hall Association and student appreciation day. The first 200 people in attendance will receive free Domino's Pizza, and the Wolverines will stick around after the match to sign autographs and socialize with fans.
Scouting the Opponents
Michigan State -- Michigan leads the all-time series with Michigan State 31-21-6 and has won 11 of the last 13 meetings with the Spartans. The Wolverines won last season's meeting between the two instrastate rivals in East Lansing with Erin Dallas scoring the lone goal of the contest less than five minutes into the opening half. Goalkeeper Beth Riley (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area HS) made four stops in the U-M cage to earn the shutout victory. The Spartans own a 4-8 record this season and are 0-2 in Big Ten competition. They suffered a narrow 3-2 overtime defeat at Northwestern in their last appearance (Saturday, Sept. 30). For more information on Michigan State, visit www.msuspartans.com.
Miami (Ohio) -- Michigan has dominated the all-time series against Miami with a 9-1-1 record against the RedHawks. In last season's meeting between the two programs -- in the U-M home opener -- the Wolverines dominated the shot category (21-6) but just squeezed past Miami, 2-1. Nicole Lonsway and Katie Morris scored first-half tallies and the Maize and Blue held on through the second frame to claim its second win of the season. The RedHawks enter the weekend with a 5-7 record and won their most recent outing 3-1 over Central Michigan last Saturday (Sept. 30). They own a 2-3 mark at Miami Turf Field this season. For more information on Miami (Ohio), visit www.muredhawks.com.
Big Ten Standings and Statistics
The Wolverines boast a handful of players among the conference statistical leaders after 12 games this season. On the offensive end, senior Mary Fox (St. Louis, Mo./Cor Jesu Academy) shares the eighth listing with five assists, while junior Lucia Belassi (Paysandu, Uruguay/Liceo #1) ranks fourth with two game-winning tallies. On the other end, junior Jillianne Whitfield (Costa Mesta, Calif./New Harbor HS) and senior/junior Kristen Tiner (Houston, Texas/The Kinkaid School) list as two of only 11 Big Ten players with a defensive save, and senior Beth Riley owns the fourth spot in both saves (46) and goals against average (1.84) and ranks fifth in shutouts (1). 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
The Wolverines held onto the No. 20 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. 3). The STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll can be found by visiting the NFHCA's site.
STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll (10/3/06)
Rank, Team (first-place votes) Points 1. Maryland (33) 679 2. Wake Forest 636 3. Old Dominion (1) 622 4. Boston College 529 5. Duke 522 6. North Carolina 502 7. Ohio State 473 8. Penn State 451 9. Virginia 385 10. Connecticut 384 11. Indiana 368 12. Providence 209 13. Louisville 203 14. California 198 15. American 197 16. Villanova 195 17. William & Mary 151 18. James Madison 129 19. Richmond 113 20. MICHIGAN 52
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.
Saving the Best for Last
With 19 saves over the weekend, including a season-high 13 against Penn State last Friday (Sept. 29), senior Beth Riley continued to inch her way up Michigan's career saves list, bringing her total to 312 stops during her U-M tenure. The Wolverine goalkeeper ranks seventh in the category in the program's 33-year history and needs 37 more saves to reach the sixth position, currently held by Gillian Pieper (349, 1986-88). Jonnie Terry (1981-84) owns the school record in career saves with 462.
Free Hits
After the weekend contests, the Wolverines fell to 9-21 in the all-time series against Penn State and 1-6 all-time vs. Maryland ... Senior/junior Kristen Tiner earned her first career defensive save in the second half against Penn State (Sept. 29).
On the Horizon
Michigan will return home to the Phyllis Ocker Field to host Central Michigan next Tuesday (Oct. 10) at 3 p.m. The Wolverines wrap up the road portion of their schedule against conference rival Indiana on Sunday (Oct. 15, 1 p.m.) at the John Mellencamp Pavilion in Bloomington, Ind.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
