When the Davidson field hockey team visits No. 8 Michigan Friday night, it'll be more than a unique opportunity and challenge for the Wildcats.
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The road game will also be a homecoming of sorts for head coach Zoe Almquist.
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Almquist's roots run deep in Ann Arbor, where she grew up within earshot of famed Michigan Stadium, known as the "Big House." She's also the daughter of the first-ever Michigan field hockey goalkeeper, Shellee Almquist, who played for the Wolverines in the 1970s. Davidson coach Zoe Almquist, left, with Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz at a 2000 camp.Â
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As a child, Almquist attended Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz's field hockey camps, and she later starred at Pioneer High School, which is adjacent to campus.Â
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So yeah, Almquist will be stepping into familiar territory Friday.
"I'm bringing my team back home," Almquist said this week. "Who gets to say that?"
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Michigan hosts its home games at Ocker Field, where Almquist played recreational league games and fed her passion for the sport during summer camps.
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I fell in love with the sport on that field," said Almquist. "It feels like a pretty special place.
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Friday won't be the first time Almquist returns to Michigan as an opponent. She played there as a Northwestern Wildcat and later helped Northwestern win a Big Ten title at Ocker Field as an assistant coach. Two years ago, she was in the stands at Michigan as Northwestern won the NCAA championship.Â
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Pankratz, who led Michigan to the 2001 national title, is in her second stint coaching the Wolverines. When Almquist contemplated entering the coaching profession, Pankratz was there to encourage her former camper.
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"I've obviously looked up to her for a long time," said Almquist.
 LATEST ON THE 'CATS
Davidson is 2-2 after two 1-1 weekends.
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Last weekend, the Wildcats earned a 7-1 win over Queens in their home opener and lost 1-0 at Appalachian State.
 Hannah Merritt, Sib Naaktgeboren and Abby Pompeo are tied for the team lead with two goals apiece.
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SCOUTING THE WOLVERINES
Last year's Big Ten champion, Michigan enters the weekend 2-2 after beating UC Davis 5-1 and Old Dominion 1-0 last week in Ann Arbor.
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Alana Richardson scored three goals in the weekend, including the overtime game-winner against ODU. She leads the Wolverines with six points.
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Michigan and Davidson have met one other time, a 4-1 Wolverines' win in 2015.Â
