Weekly Release #11 (at Big Ten Tournament)
10/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Upcoming Schedule
Thu-Sun., Nov. 1-4 -- at Big Ten Tournament (Columbus, Ohio)
Sat-Sun., Nov. 10-11 -- at NCAA First/Second Round (Campus Sites)
Fri-Sun., Nov. 16-18 -- at NCAA Championship (College Park, Md.)
This Week's Lineup -- at Big Ten Tournament
No. 5-ranked Michigan (14-5, 6-0 Big Ten) will kick off the postseason at noon on Friday (Nov. 2) in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. The top-seeded Wolverines will face the winner of the Penn State/Ohio State first-round match, while the second semifinal game will pit the winners of Michigan State/Northwestern and Iowa/Indiana. All games will be held at Ohio State's North Turf Field.
Tournament Notes
We Are the Champions -- The Wolverines enter the Big Ten Tournament after capturing the outright Big Ten Conference title with a 3-2 win over Northwestern in U-M's final conference game of the regular season (Oct. 21). 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.
Waiting To Play -- The Wolverines are the lone team in the tournament field with a bye in the first round, which was earned by receiving the top seed as Big Ten champions. The other six teams will play in the first round on Thursday (Nov. 1), with the semifinals scheduled for Friday (Nov. 2). Michigan will square off against the winner of the Penn State/Ohio State game, which pits the No. 4 seed (PSU) against the No. 5 seed (Ohio State). The championship match is slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday (Nov. 4).
Looking for Another Trophy -- Michigan will look to reclaim the Big Ten Tournament title and capture its fifth in school history. The Wolverines won back to-back tournament crowns in 1999 and 2000, and again in 2004 and 2005. The Wolverines are tied with Penn State for the most conference tournament titles since its inception in 1994. U-M has advanced to the Big Ten Tournament championship game in seven of the last nine seasons.
Awards Week -- The Big Ten will announce its award winners for the 2007 season on Thursday (Nov. 1) at its annual awards banquet. The Wolverines have won 13 individual awards during the previous six seasons and have boasted at least two individuals on the All-Big Ten First Team in the each of the last eight seasons, including four selections in 2002.
Michigan vs. the Big Ten Tournament Field ...
Penn State: Michigan owns an all-time record of 10-21 against Penn State but has won eight of the last 11 meetings, including the 1-0 upset victory this season in the Wolverines' first Big Ten weekend. PSU owns a slim 4-3 advantage against Michigan in Big Ten Tournament play. In the last tournament meeting, U-M upset the sixth-ranked Nittany Lions in the 2005 semifinal round en route to capturing the trophy. For more information on Penn State field hockey, please visit www.GoPSUSports.com.
Iowa: The Wolverines trail 14-33 in the all-time series against Iowa but have been dominant of late, winning 12 of the last 16 contests between the storied programs, including five by shutout. Michigan rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Iowa 3-2 in double overtime in this season Big Ten opener. Michigan owns a strong 3-1 mark against Iowa in Big Ten Tournament action -- the first two matches were closely-fought, one-goal championship games (1999, 2004), but Iowa claimed an overtime victory in last season's meeting, squeezing past U-M 2-1 in the opening round. For more information on Iowa field hockey, please visit www.hawkeyesports.com.
Michigan State: Michigan leads the all-time series with Michigan State 33-21-6, and U-M has won 13 of the last 15 meetings against the Spartans. Senior Lucia Belassi(Paysandu, Uruguay/Liceo #1) tallied the overtime game-winner to lead the Wolverines to a 2-1 victory over MSU this season in East Lansing. Michigan and MSU have faced each other on just one occasion at the Big Ten Tournament with the Spartans taking a 3-0 win in 2002. For more information on Michigan State field hockey, please visit www.msuspartans.com.
Ohio State: The Wolverines own a 28-22-1 record against Ohio State and have won 14 of the last 19 meetings against the Buckeyes. Earlier this season, U-M notched a 3-2 overtime victory over the Buckeyes. Michigan has squared off against Ohio State eight times at the Big Ten Tournament -- more than any other school -- and owns a 5-3 record. For more information on Ohio State field hockey, please visit www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
Northwestern: Michigan trails 18-28 in the all-time series with Northwestern, but U-M has won each of the last 16 meetings dating back to the 1997 campaign, including a 3-2 victory this season in Evanston. U-M is 2-0 against Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament and has not faced the Wildcats since the first round of the 2000 tournament. For more information on Northwestern field hockey, please visit www.nusports.com.
Indiana: Michigan owns an 8-5 advantage in the all-time series against Indiana, and the Wolverines have won eight of nine meetings since the Hoosiers reinstated their program in 2000. The Wolverines, who posted a 1-0 overtime win over IU on Oct. 12 in Ann Arbor, has faced IU just once in the Big Ten Tournament, cruising to a 3-0 victory in the 2005 Big Ten Tournament championship game. For more information on Indiana field hockey, please visit www.iuhoosiers.com.
STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll
After splitting its two matches on the West Coast last weekend, Michigan dropped one position -- to the No. 5 spot -- 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. 30). The poll is available on the NFHCA's site.
STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll (10/30/07)
Rank, Team (1st-place votes) Record Points 1. North Carolina (42) 18-0 840 2. Maryland 17-1 797 3. Wake Forest 12-4 738 4. Connecticut 18-2 688 5. MICHIGAN 14-5 655 6. Iowa 14-3 626 7. Michigan State 15-4 617 8. James Madison 16-3 503 9. Penn State 12-6 494 10. Old Dominion 11-8 447 11. Louisville 14-5 373 12. Duke 11-7 356 13. Boston University 15-5 317 14. Boston College 12-7 313 15. Albany 14-4 218 16. Ohio 15-4 198 17. American 14-4 159 18. Princeton 11-4 157 19. Virginia 10-8 115 20. Providence 12-7 71
We're Going Streaking
With California's upset victory over Michigan last Saturday (Oct. 27), the Wolverines' winning streak was halted at 11 games and spanned five weeks, dating back to U-M's road win at Louisville (Sept. 14). Over the 11-game stretch, Michigan outscored its opposition 31-14. Michigan's streak was its longest since winning 14 in a row during the heart of the 2002 campaign.
Second-Half Heroics
The Wolverines have gained the reputation as a second-half team in 2007 after rallying back from early deficits to claim victory in six contests. Michigan outshot its season opposition 153-99, and U-M outcornered its opponents 82-49 in the second half and held a pair of Big Ten opponents -- Iowa and Penn State -- without a shot or corner opportunity in the second frame.
Keeping it Close
Thirteen of the Wolverines' 19 games this season have been decided by just one goal. Michigan owns a 11-2 record in one-goal games and boasts a 5-1 mark in overtime games this season.
I Love Goooaals
Michigan's 6-0 victory over Stanford last Sunday (Oct. 28) marked the team's greatest goal output this season and most since Oct. 10, 2006, when the Wolverines cruised past Central Michigan by a 7-2 margin.
Having a Career Year
Senior Lucia Belassi has boasted career-high totals in all offensive statistical categories this season, leading the Wolverines squad in goals and points with 11-8-30 totals. Belassi has upped her goal output in each of her collegiate seasons, scoring three as a freshman, seven as a sophomore and 10 as a junior (when she also led the Wolverines in goals and points). Belassi sits within striking distance of Michigan's top-10 in all three categories, needing four goals, five assists and nine points to reach the No. 10 positions.
Lending a Helping Hand
In addition to Belassi, two other veteran Wolverine players have set new personal bests in assists this season. Senior Jillianne Whitfield(Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor HS) and junior Michaela McDermott(Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights HS) both owns nine helpers as primary figures in Michigan's penalty corner. Whitfield entered the 2007 season with five previous helpers, while McDermott had just one prior assist.
You're A Super Star
Seniors Lucia Belassi and Kristen Tiner(Houston, Texas/The Kinkaid School) have been selected to participate in the 2007 NFHCA Senior All-Star Game, scheduled to take place on Saturday, Nov. 17, in College Park, Md. During the duo's combined tenure, Michigan owns a 74-33 record and has claimed three Big Ten regular-season titles and two Big Ten Tournament titles. The duo has earned five Academic All-Big Ten citations and contributed to back-to-back Rachael Townsend Community Service Awards. The U-M pair was named to the 38-player lineup, which boasts 10 representatives from the Big Ten Conference
Iron Women
Senior captain Lucia Belassi has appeared in every game during her U-M career, as she currently boasts 87 total games played with 51 consecutive starts. Belassi is just one game shy of reaching Michigan's top 10 leaders in career games played, currently held by Lori Hillman (88, 2002-05). Junior Stephanie Hoyer(Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek HS) achieved similar status, making her 64th career appearance in the Wolverines' Sunday contest against Stanford, while sophomore Paige Laytos has started all 39 games of her collegiate career.
U-M Career Games Played
| 1. | Stephanie Johnson (2000-03) | 95 |
| 2. | Jessica Rose (1999-2002) | 93 |
| 3. | Kristi Gannon (2000-03) | 91 |
| Molly Powers (1999-2002) | 91 | |
| Catherine Foreman (1998-2001) | 91 | |
| Katy Moyneur (2001-04) | 91 | |
| Adrienne Hortillosa (2001-04) | 91 | |
| 8. | April Fronzoni (2000-03) | 90 |
| 9. | Courtney Reid (1997-2000) | 89 |
| 10. | Lori Hillman (1997-2000) | 86 |
Shutting Down the Competition
Junior/sophomore goalkeeper Paige Pickett(Dallas, Texas/Episcopal School of Dallas) picked up her fourth shutout of the season in the Wolverines' 6-0 win at Stanford in the regular-season finale (Oct. 28). Pickett shares the third spot -- with Iowa's Lissa Munley -- among the Big Ten leaders in the category.
Two For #2
Sophomore Kelly Fitzpatrick(Hummelstown, Pa./Palmyra Area HS) has been on a tear of late, scoring six goals over the last six games, including a pair against Stanford in the regular-season finale (Oct. 28). Fitzpatrick also picked up a pair of thrilling game-winning goals in Michigan's victories 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.
Free Hits
With its perfect 6-0 record against Big Ten schools this season, Michigan improved its all-time conference mark to 98-114-9 (.464). The Wolverines are 39-9 against Big Ten competition since 2000 ... Nine different Wolverine players scored at least one goal this season.
On the Horizon
The Wolverines will await selection to the 2007 NCAA Tournament, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday (Nov. 10) at four campus sites around the country. Should Michigan win the Big Ten Tournament, the Wolverines will be awarded the conference's automatic bid -- one of six automatic qualifiers determined by the NCAA. The NCAA Tournament field is 16 teams and will be unveiled Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
