Guessing the league champion in any sport these days has become
as tough as taking the LSAT’s. Favorites seem to fall apart
as wild cards or underdogs slip under the radar until they hoist
the championship hardware. The No. 9 Michigan field hockey team
realized that complacency can be its kiss of death in chasing its
third consecutive Big Ten regular-season championship.

But instead of resting on their laurels because of success in
recent seasons, the Wolverines used consistent defense and a
persistent offense to defeat No. 19 Penn State 1-0 in State College
on Saturday. With the win, Michigan earned a three-way share of the
Big Ten Championship.

As it has all season long, Michigan’s defense held strong
in high-pressure games, limiting the Nittany Lions to just five
shots. Goalkeeper Beth Riley managed to stop all five, earning her
sixth shutout of the year. Penn State was celebrating senior day,
and departing team members were hungry for a victory in their final
game at Bigler Field, but Michigan’s win will leave a sour
taste of defeat in their memories.

“I am proud of the way the team played today,”
Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. “To come in here against
a tough Penn State team on Senior Day is a very difficult task, but
we stayed focused and played our game.”

On the other end of the field, the Wolverines generated several
rallies in a game played mostly in the midfield. But just as Riley
stood tall in Michigan’s goal, Penn State goalkeeper Megan
Akstin was able to make seven saves.

As the clock wound down and overtime seemed imminent, Michigan
finally took the lead with just five minutes remaining when
sophomore Mary Fox slipped the ball past Akstin. Senior Jessica
Blake took a shot which was saved by Akstin, but it rolled back
into the center of the circle. A second Michigan shot was turned
aside by a Penn State defender, but Fox picked up the rebound and
put it in.

Michigan’s defense was able to maintain its shutout for
the final five minutes, giving the Wolverines their third
consecutive conference title. Having repeated as champions last
season by clinching a share of the title at home against Penn
State, Pankratz knew that the Nittany Lions would be aiming to halt
a Michigan celebration in State College.

“When you win the Big Ten title consistently, there
becomes an expectation,” Pankratz said. “I thought this
team responded very well to the challenge. I’m very proud of
everyone. This was a great win for Michigan.”

Though the Wolverines shared the title, they have been awarded
the top-seed for next weekend’s Big Ten conference tournament
in Evanston. Iowa and Michigan State also finished with 5-1
conference records, but Michigan’s plus-eight goal
differential won it the top spot in the third tiebreaker. Michigan
split their matches with their co-champions, defeating Michigan
State at home and losing at Iowa City.

Michigan will face the winner of a first-round matchup between
Penn State and Ohio State at 11 a.m. in Saturday’s Big Ten
semifinals. Should Michigan win this weekend’s tournament, it
will host the NCAA Field Hockey regional tournament at Ocker Field
the following weekend. While the Wolverines have won at least a
share of the last three regular-season conference championships,
their last tournament championship was in 2000.