Zara Saydjari, a former field hockey star at Skowhegan, is now a sophomore starting at the University of Michigan, which is ranked 19th in the nation in Division I. Michigan's record is just 3-5, but the Wolverines have played a schedule as brutal as any you'll ever see.

Four of Michigan's five losses have been to Wake Forest, Maryland, Connecticut and North Carolina. Those four teams are ranked first, third, fourth and fifth in the country in the latest poll. Michigan's other loss is to Albany, currently ranked 18th in the nation.

Later this year, Michigan plays Iowa (currently sixth), Michigan State (10th), Penn State (13th), Ohio State (16th) and California (20th). So by the end of the season, Michigan will have played 10 of the other 19 teams currently ranked in the top 20.

Saydjari has played in all eight games and started three for the Wolverines. She picked up her first career goal in a 10-0 win over St. Louis Sept. 13, and added another on Sunday in an overtime loss to Connecticut. She also started in a one-goal loss to Albany.

For the season, Saydjari has taken 11 shots and has two goals and one assist.