It did not come as a surprise that Michigan field hockey forward Molly Powers was named Big Ten offensive player of the week. After all, she did score three goals last weekend - two against No. 14 Boston College, including the game-tying mark. The next day, she scored the overtime game-winner against Connecticut.

What may come as a surprise is that this is the first time Powers has received the award in her four years at Michigan.
The senior has been an integral part of the third-ranked Wolverines' early-season offensive explosion. Powers' three-goal performance last weekend gives her five for the season - tied for second on the team - and she hopes to keep the offense rolling as Michigan (5-1) hosts Temple (1-4) tomorrow and Northeastern (5-0) on Sunday at Ocker Field.

"It's surprising (that Powers never received this honor) because she's very talented," Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. "She comes up with big goals in big games - like the one against Connecticut - so finally, it's nice to see."

According to Powers, there isn't a real reason why she found herself in crucial situations last weekend. When she did, she made the most of her opportunities.

"I think it was a coincidence," Powers said. "We all try to fill those shoes when the game is on the line and be the kind of player who can step up."

Powers is already close to eclipsing her goal total from last year (eight) in just six games. In fact, the entire team is ahead of its production at this point last season. Through six games last season, the Wolverines had scored eight goals. This season, the number is 20.

Powers indicated that Pankratz has implemented a new offense this season, and it has made an immediate impact.
"The system that we're running is very attacking," Powers said. "So far it seems to be working for us, and hopefully it'll continue to work."

Although Powers and her fellow Wolverines are averaging 3.3 goals per game, just four players have put the ball in the net this season - Powers, seniors Jessica Rose and Stephanie Johnson, and junior April Fronzoni. But the players who are scoring are doing so in impressive fashion.

"We have some players that are really growing," said Pankratz, who won her 100th career game last weekend. "A lot of our upperclassmen are forwards, and they're very fast. Their skills are starting to catch up to their speed, and they're incredibly dangerous. It's an exciting brand of hockey."

Pankratz hopes the excitement will continue this weekend, especially against No. 12 Northeastern. The Huskies' netminder Emily Roy has allowed just two goals all season, both against Massachusetts on Sept. 2. Northeastern will also take on Central Michigan tonight at Ocker Field as a tune up for tomorrow's game. Pankratz hopes the extra day of practice will be to the Wolverines' advantage.

"We've been able to work on some things (in the past few weeks) and to grow," Pankratz said. "We've been able to expand on our attack and make it really complicated. We're hoping to build some momentum heading into the Big Ten."