Michigan
Xavier
Michigan Blows Past Xavier 4-2 in NCAA First Round
11/11/1998 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Event: NCAA Tournament (First Round)
Score: Michigan 4, Xavier 2
Records: U-M (14-6-1), Xavier (12-7-2)
Next U-M Match: Sunday, Nov. 15 -- at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 1 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team collected it first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a 4-2 decision over Xavier University at U-M Soccer Field. The game was played in blustery conditions, with the temperature in the mid-40s and winds consistently in the 20-30 mph range.
The Wolverines advance to the NCAA second round to face Notre Dame on Sunday (Nov. 15) at 1 p.m. in South Bend, Ind. As the tournament's No. 4 seed, the Fighting Irish received a first-round bye.
Xavier opened the scoring when Annette Gruber scored her first of two goals at 11:25 on an assist from Erin Coley. The Wolverines answered seven minutes later when Laurie Peterson (Del Mar, Calif./Torrey Pines HS) headed in a corner kick from Emily Schmitt (Troy, Mich./Athens HS). U-M claimed the lead at 22:09 when Shannon Poole (Troy, Mich./Troy HS) hit the back of the net.
The Wolverines increased their lead to 3-1 when Alissa Shaw (West Carrollton, Ohio/West Carrollton HS) netted her first collegiate goal, at 43:57. The Musketeers came right back less than a minute later when Gruber scored her second goal of the game on a breakaway with just 0:12 left in the half, making the halftime score 3-2 in Michigan's favor.
The lone goal of the second half came when Michigan's Marie Spaccarotella (Livonia, Mich./Churchill HS) knocked in a rebound at 78:26 to give the Wolverines a two-goal cushion.
Jessica Jones (Northville, Mich./Northville HS) made her first post-season start of 1998 and recorded eight saves to pick up the win.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Xavier | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Michigan | 3 | 1 | 4 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- XU, Annette Gruber, 11:25 (Erin Coley)
1st -- U-M, Laurie Peterson, 18:59 (Emily Schmitt)
1st -- U-M, Shannon Poole, 22:09 (unassisted)
1st -- U-M, Alissa Shaw, 43:57 (unassisted)
1st -- XU, Gruber, 44:48 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Marie Spaccarotella, 78:26 (unassisted)
Shots: U-M 20, XU 11
Saves: U-M 8, XU 10
Corner Kicks: U-M 10, XU 2
Fouls: U-M 10, XU 6
Cards: None
NOTES
• Michigan, which is making its second straight NCAA appearance, evened its all-time NCAA Tournament record at 1-1.
• Michigan freshman Alissa Shaw's first collegiate goal turned out to be the game-winner.
• In Xavier's first NCAA Tournament game, sophomore forward Annette Gruber scored two goals to finish the season with 12. It was her third multi-goal game of the season and one shy of her season best (3 vs. Rhode Island, Oct. 18).
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Debbie Belkin
"The wind was a bit of a factor in the game. It was important to score that insurance goal against the wind."
On why they chose to go with the wind in the first half ... "We figured we could get up early so we chose the wind. (If you wait until the second half,) what if the wind dies and you don't get the advantage"
U-M Midfielder Shannon Poole
On getting the program's first NCAA Tournament victory ... "It feels great. It's the greatest feeling to be a part of it."
On Michigan's ball possession ... "That's our game plan, to possess the ball. That's when we're at our best, when we're passing the ball around."
U-M Midfielder Emily Schmitt
"It was really important to get some goals in the first half. When they got some in the first half, it was pretty scary."
On the team's mood following Xavier's goal with 12 seconds left in the first half ... "We still had the lead and that's important at the half."
On getting the program's first NCAA Tournament victory ... "We want to get our second."
Xavier Head Coach Dr. Ron Quinn
"It was a great game for a first-round game. We showed that we should have been here.
"You have to give a lot of credit to Michigan. They played a strong possession game."
On Xavier's second goal (with 12 seconds left in the first half) ... "That's a trait of our team. We don't give up. We'll play till the final seconds.
On the wind ... "It was a matter of who was going to be able to play well against the wind and who was going to use the wind to their advantage. It was certainly a factor for both teams."
