The No. 4 Michigan field hockey team is attempting to rebound from a disappointing performance last Saturday. After losing just its third match of the season at Ohio State, the Wolverines (3-1 Big Ten, 11-3 overall) will welcome Penn State (1-3, 8-6) to Ocker Field tomorrow and will travel to Mount Pleasant on Sunday to challenge Central Michigan.

Even with last weekend"s difficulties, Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz expects her team to "respond well, remain focused on winning a championship, continue to be consistent, and not get too excited about any one game."

With just two Big Ten matches left, the team stands tied with Michigan State for second place, just one game behind Ohio State. In order for Michigan to defend its conference title, Ohio State would have to lose one of its next two matches at Michigan State tomorrow or against Indiana on Oct. 26.

After years of struggling with No. 15 Penn State a perennial power Michigan finally broke through with a momentous victory in the 1999 Big Ten Tournament final. The fourth-ranked Wolverines are now looking to continue their recent dominance over No. 15 Penn State. If Michigan can win tomorrow, it would be the Wolverines" fourth consecutive victory over the Nittany Lions since that Big Ten final.

Pankratz has a high level of respect for Penn State and its program. In comparing the Nittany Lions to her team, she believes the squads are very similar.

"We"re both possession-orientated and like to pass a lot," she said.

Due to their similarities in style Pankratz anticipates a close game with the Nittany Lions.

"Like all matches against Penn State, it will be a nail-biter between two great programs," she said.

As she has done all season, Pankratz welcomes a challenge such as the one Penn State presents. Michigan has played all but two of the schools in the current top ten, including a victory against current No. 1 Old Dominion.

According to Pankratz, "strong competition allows you to play at a high level, due to an increase in your competition"s speed and ability."

Tomorrow

Ocker Field

Who: Michigan (3-1 Big Ten, 11-3 overall) vs. Penn State(1-3 Big Ten, 8-6 overall)

When: 11 a.m. tomorrow

Latest: Michigan needs to win to remain just one game back of first-place Ohio State.