Weekly Release #10(at California, at Stanford)
10/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
2007 Weekly Release #10
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 27 -- at California (Berkeley, Calif.), noon PDT
Sunday, Oct. 28 -- at Stanford (Palo Alto, Calif.), noon PDT
Thu.-Sun., Nov. 1-4 -- at Big Ten Tournament (Columbus, Ohio)
This Week's Lineup
The No. 4-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team (13-4, 6-0 Big Ten) will complete the regular-season portion of its 2007 slate next weekend with a pair of non-conference matches on the west coast. U-M heads to Berkeley, Calif., to face California Saturday (Oct. 27) at noon PDT, before facing Stanford in Michigan's season finale on Sunday (Oct. 28) at noon PDT in Palo Alto, Calif.
We Are the Champions
The Wolverines captured the outright Big Ten Conference title last Sunday (Oct. 21) with a 3-2 win over Northwestern. The Wolverines scored a goal in the waning moments of regulation play. Michigan has captured six Big Ten titles since it joined the conference in 1978 -- all of which have come in the last 10 years. The Wolverines captured the conference crown in 1997, 2000, '02, '03, '04 and '07.
The Sweep
With its 6-0 conference mark, U-M ranks as the lone unbeaten team in league play. It marks the third occasion in eight seasons that Michigan has accomplished the impressive feat. Only one other program (Penn State, 2005) has produced an undefeated conference record for an entire season. The Wolverines also went a perfect 6-0 in Big Ten competition during the 2000 and 2002 campaigns.
Scouting the Opponent
California -- Michigan holds a perfect 5-0 record against California in the all-time series between the two programs. In the last meeting between the programs (Oct. 22, 2005), U-M battled back from an early deficit to claim a 3-2 decision in overtime. After the Bears knotted up the score in the closing minute of regulation, Lucia Belassi (Paysandu, Uruguay/Liceo #1) netted the game-winning tally 5:51 into the extra frame to extend Michigan's win streak four games. Kristen Tiner (Houston, Texas/The Kinkaid School) and Mary Fox (2003-06) also scored goals. The Golden Bears own a 9-5 record this season but have lost four of their last six games, including a 3-2 defeat against Pacific in their most recent outing (Oct. 20). For more information on California, visit www.calbears.com.
Stanford -- Michigan has dominated the Stanford in the all-time series between the programs, boasting a perfect 4-0 mark while outscoring the Cardinal 9-0. The Wolverines similarly dominated the last meeting of the series (Sept. 13, 1998), as four different U-M players scored second-half goals en route to a 4-0 home victory. Stanford outshot the Wolverines 11-7 in the contest, but goalkeeper Kati Oakes (1996-98) was flawless in the U-M cage, registering seven saves in Michigan's third straight shutout win. The Cardinal are 8-6 this season, and -- like California -- has been slumping recently, as all six of their losses have come in Stanford's last eight appearances. In its most recent outing, Stanford fell 2-1 in overtime against Indiana last Monday (Oct. 22). For more information on Stanford, visit www.gostanford.com.
Big Ten Standings and Statistics
Throughout the 2007 season, 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 continued their winning ways last week with victories over Central Michigan (Oct. 17) and Northwestern (Oct. 21) and, as a result, held onto their No. 4 position in the latest edition of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll of the top 20 teams in NCAA Division I, released on Tuesday (Oct. 23). The poll is available on the NFHCA's site.
STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll (10/23/07)
Rank, Team (1st-place votes) Record Points 1. North Carolina (49) 17-0 980 2. Maryland 16-1 929 3. Wake Forest 11-4 853 4. MICHIGAN 13-4 815 5. Iowa 13-2 784 6. Connecticut 16-2 745 7. Michigan State 13-4 630 8. James Madison 14-3 573 9. Penn State 10-6 565 10. Old Dominion 10-7 534 11. Duke 11-6 528 12. Boston College 12-5 391 13. Louisville 13-5 382 14. Boston University 13-5 345 15. Ohio 14-4 244 16. Albany 13-4 243 17. American 13-4 188 18. Princeton 10-4 125 19. Syracuse 12-5 91 20. Providence 12-6 83
Statistically Speaking ...
National statistics, compiled by the NCAA, will be released every Monday during the season. Statistics can be accessed at NCAA Field Hockey.
We're Going Streaking
The Wolverines have won 11 consecutive games, dating back to their road win at Louisville (Sept. 14), and have outscored the opposition 31-14 over the stretch. Michigan's current winning streak is its longest since winning 14 in a row during the heart of the 2002 campaign. U-M opened the Big Ten Conference schedule with a 6-0 record for the first time since 2002 when Michigan also swept the conference regular season with a perfect 6-0 en route to its first of three straight Big Ten titles.
Keeping it Close
Twelve of the Wolverines' 16 games this season have been decided by just one goal. Michigan owns a 10-2 record in one-goal games and boasts a 5-1 mark in overtime games this season.
Two For #2
Sophomore Kelly Fitzpatrick (Hummelstown, Pa./Palmyra Area HS) picked up a pair of thrilling game-winning goals in as many games last week, pacing the Wolverines to wins over Central Michigan (Oct. 17) and Northwestern (Oct. 21). Fitzpatrick converted on an overtime breakaway against the Chippewas, picking off an errant CMU pass before pulling the goalkeeper out of the cage, dribbling the ball around her dumping it into the open net. Against the Wildcats, she used a U-M penalty-corner opportunity to seal her team's victory -- and the outright Big Ten title -- with just 1:40 remaining in regulation. The game-winners were the first and second of Fitzpatrick's career.
Ironwomen
Senior captain Lucia Belassi has appeared in every game during her U-M career, as she currently boasts 84 total games played with 49 consecutive starts. Belassi is on track to crack Michigan's top 10 leaders in career games played. She needs just one to reach the 10th spot, currently held by Jeanne Shinn (85, 1997, 2000). Junior Stephanie Hoyer (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek HS) achieved similar status, making her 61st career appearance in the Wolverines' Sunday contest against Northwestern (Oct. 21), while sophomore Paige Laytos has started all 37 games of her collegiate career.
On the Horizon
The postseason begins for Michigan, as the Wolverines travel to Columbus, Ohio, for the Big Ten Tournament Thursday through Sunday (Nov. 1-4). Michigan -- as the Big Ten Champion -- owns the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye for the tournament.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
