Natalie Millman was one of the best field hockey players in the long line of best field hockey players at Pioneer High School. Now a sophomore playing for the University of Michigan, Millman admits she still keeps an eye on that team across the street.
“Oh, yeah,” she said, following the Wolverines’ exhibition game against Michigan State earlier this month. “I hope to go over there and help out during some practices on our off days and get to some games. Hopefully I will be able to attend the state championship game too.”
Millman played in a few of those state finals for Pioneer and has nothing but fond memories of playing in the best program in the state. She demonstrated that pride every time she stepped on the field in purple and white.
She feels the same way about wearing maize and blue.
“I began attending camp at the University of Michigan with Coach Marcia Pankratz in fifth grade,” she said during her senior year at Pioneer. “I remember being in awe of the Michigan players and the setting at Ocker Field! It was a dream at the time that one day I would have the same opportunity, so when that opportunity presented itself last Fall, it was an easy decision for me.
“In addition to being one of the world’s best academic institutions, Michigan Field Hockey is always one of the top programs in the country. To be able to attend a school as great as Michigan, and compete for Big Ten and National Championships is very exciting!”
Fast forward to 2024 and the goals haven’t changed for the Wolverines.
“Our goals are to win a Big 10 championship and a National Championship,” she said. “I just want to help the team in any way I can, goals, shots on goals, corners, tackling back, whatever I need to do to help the team win.”
On Sept. 15, Millman scored her first goal of the season against Central Michigan on a reverse shot off her own rebound to push the Wolverines’ lead to 7-0. U-M won 11-0. She also had a goal in the team’s exhibition win over Michigan State.
Since losing to National Champion North Carolina 4-1 in the season opener, the Wolverines have won five straight games with a showdown at East Lansing Sept. 23 against the Spartans next up on the schedule. In the five wins, Michigan has outscored their opponents 32-4.
Millman appeared in all 17 games as a freshman for the Wolverines and had a goal and an assist at Central Michigan (Oct. 22). She had her first game-winning goal vs. Davidson (Sept. 8). She also registered an assist in three of the season’s first four games, including the first goal at No. 1 North Carolina and the overtime game-winner vs. No. 18 Old Dominion (Sept. 3).
Millman says the first challenge for any player new to the college game is trying to keep up with the pace of the game. “The speed of the game in college is definitely faster,” she says. “Everyone here wants to be here and it’s very intense. Everybody here works harder and that only makes you want to work harder so it has a big impact on you right away.”
Last year was an adjustment for Millman.
“Our team was very small last year so a lot of the freshmen got to play a lot of minutes,” she says. “It was really nice because we were able to get used to the college game. And this year we are all sophomores and have that experience from last year to lean on which is going to be a big advantage for us this season.”
Another advantage for U-M is the return of Abby Tamer, who didn’t play for the Wolverines last year while training with the Olympic team. Millman says it’s “very inspirational” to be playing with an Olympian.
“I am two years younger than Abby but grew up looking up to her because she has always been an exceptional player,” she says. “Since we are both forwards I have tried to emulate her and copy what she does out on the field. She plays with a very intense aggressiveness and has an incredible work ethic that I try to follow.”
At Pioneer, Millman was a three-time MHSFHCA Dream Team and All-State First Team honoree (2020, ’21, ’22) and was named Max Field Hockey’s 2022 Michigan State Player of the Year. She posted 76 career goals with 33 assists and 185 total points in high school and contributed to Pioneer’s 2022 Michigan state championship and three runner-up finishes.
The daughter of Darren and Karen Millman, Natlie is enrolled in the Ross School of Business, majoring in business administration.
Photos by Terry Jacoby / WLAA-D
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WLAA-D Spotlight: Olympian Abby Tamer is glad to be a Wolverine – See WLAA-D photogallery
