Whether it’s blowouts or nail-biters, the No. 3 Michigan field hockey team keeps finding different and improbable ways to win.
After routing Temple 8-0 on Saturday, Michigan (7-1) needed overtime yesterday to rally and defeat No. 12 Northeastern (5-1, 2-1) under wet and windy conditions at Ocker Field.
Jessica Blake tied the game in the final minute of regulation and Stephanie Johnson scored the game-winner off a penalty corner midway through the extra period, as the Wolverines won their sixth straight and improved to 2-0 in overtime.
“I’m really proud of our team,” Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. “They overcame a ton of adversity in many directions. I was really proud that they stayed poised and focused and always felt like they were still in it.”
Despite 10 penalty corners throughout the game, Michigan was unable to convert on any of them until Johnson came through in the clutch. Benefiting from a perfect set by Lori Hillman, the junior co-captain broke right with the ball and sent a blistering shot past Huskies’ goalkeeper Emily Roy.
“I think we were just sick of playing by that point,” Johnson said with a laugh. “I think our timing and execution were a little better, and I just decided, let’s finish it.”
After a scoreless first half, Mari Creatini broke the deadlock six minutes into the second period with a rebound score off a Northeastern penalty corner.
Trailing 1-0 for nearly the rest of the way, Michigan was on the verge of losing its first home game of the season until Blake came to the rescue. a rebound score off a crucial Northeastern penalty corner.
Trailing 1-0 for nearly the rest of the way, Michigan was on the verge of losing its first home game of the season until Blake came to the rescue. With 20 seconds remaining and both sides crowding Northeastern’s circle, Blake corralled the ball on the left side and fired a blazing shot that deflected off a defender’s stick and found the top of the net.
“I was right on the edge and the ball just happened to come out my way,” Blake said. “It was a really great feeling. I’m glad that I could put one in for the team and put us into overtime.”
The win reinforced Michigan’s incredible depth and its ability to prevail during the bleakest of situations.
“The thing that I think really says a lot about this team is that anybody can come up on any given day,” Johnson said. “Our team is so multi-pronged in its attack. The fact that we can stay in it until the last five, 10 seconds of a game gives us so much confidence down the line.
“No matter what team we see, no matter where we are, we’re going to be able to stick with it, and that’s one thing we’ve been harping on – the mental toughness to stay in it until the end.”
Michigan will resume its nine-game home stand this Friday when No. 19 Ohio State comes to town. The Buckeyes have won their past two contests against the Wolverines, including a 3-0 shutout in last year’s Big Ten Tournament.