It seems unfair to call two games without scoring a drought. But when the player is Michigan field hockey’s April Fronzoni, it can be cause for concern. Fronzoni scored a goal in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of Boston University, her second in the past five games.
- Paul Wong
- JESSICA YURASEK/Daily
Junior April Fronzoni, Michigan
“Even though I wasn’t scoring, I still feel that I was playing to the best of my ability and still contributing,” Fronzoni said. “On any given day, anyone can put one in the back of the net.”
During Saturday’s game it appeared that Fronzoni had scored her second of the match, but it was called back by the officials.
Defender Stephanie Johnson launched a shot off a restart just outside the circle and hit off the Terriers’ goalkeeper. Fronzoni was standing right next to her, and appeared to tap in the loose ball. The officials overturned the goal, saying it went off her foot.
“I thought I saw it tip off her stick into the goal,” Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. “We didn’t need it, so that was nice.”
Despite the recent slump, Fronzoni is still a major threat on offense. She is Michigan’s leading scorer with 10 goals and three assists through 10 games this season. And the junior is on pace to set personal bests in goals, assists and points on the year.
Fronzoni’s personal marks (17 goals, four assists and 38 points) could be in reach in the next few weeks.
In addition to setting new personal records this season, Fronzoni is moving up in the Michigan record book. Her goal on Saturday gives her 40 for her career, and she is tied for fourth place on the career goal scoring list.
The all-time leader in goals is Mary Callam, who tallied 64 during her four years from 1976-79.
Daunting D: While the offense has been one of the hallmarks of this year’s team, the defense is proving to be equally solid.
Goalkeeper Molly Maloney recorded her fourth shutout of the season, breaking her career best of three set in 2000 (she was redshirted in 2001). Maloney has also posted a higher save percentage (.724) and lower goals against average (0.78) this season.
Michigan’s solid defense has made Maloney’s job easier. The Wolverines’ defense has shut down opponents’ scoring chances by not allowing many shots, especially rebounds. In Saturday’s game against Boston, Maloney didn’t face a single shot on goal.
The defense “was solid as a rock,” Pankratz said.
Streaky: The Wolverines are currently in the middle of two streaks, and coincidentally they are overlapping. They are currently riding an eight-game winning streak, the second longest in school history, while playing their longest homestand of all time.
The nine-game home stretch will conclude next week, when the Wolverines host Michigan State. Michigan will finish the season with seven of its last eight games on the road.