Michigan
Illinois
Michigan Takes Early Lead, Cruises into Big Ten Final
11/6/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Abby Crumpton (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams HS) gave Michigan a 1-0 advantage at 6:24, converting a one-on-one opportunity with the goalie for her 10th goal of the season. Kacy Beitel (Midland, Mich./H.H. Dow HS) set up the play with a through ball to spring Crumpton into the box, where Crumpton blasted a seven-yard shot from the right side into the upper far corner.
Beitel tallied a goal of her own 2:02 later. Mari Hoff (Canton, Mich./Salem HS) started the play with a perfect 35-yard feed from midfield to Michele Pesiri (New Hyde Park, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) streaking down the right wing. Pesiri carried the ball near the endline before serving a centering pass into the box. Beitel deflected the cross from three yards out into the far post for her team-leading 12th goal of the season and her third of the tournament.
After Illinois (12-8-2) closed the gap to 2-1 on Emily Brown's goal at 15:48, Michigan reclaimed a two-goal lead. Amber Berendowsky (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) took the ball down the left wing and deked out the goalie but was cut off by the endline and an Illini defender. Berendowsky centered the ball to Emily Schmitt (Troy, Mich./Athens HS) in the center of the box. Schmitt's attempt at the empty net was deflected by an Illinois defender, but Schmitt regained possession of the ball and played it back to Carly Williamson (Barrington, R.I./Barrington HS). Williamson shot the ball from 15 yards out into the lower right corner at 37:13 for her second tally of the season.
The Wolverines pushed the lead to 4-1 at the 51:50 mark. Crumpton tracked down a ball deep in the left corner and centered it to Hoff in the middle of the box. Hoff's blast from 15 yards out found the net for her sixth goal of the season.
Illinois countered 15 seconds later, setting an NCAA record for quickest goal by two opponents, when Lindsay Johnson redirected Heather Nadeau's feed from the left wing inside the near post. The Illini closed to within one when Sue Hodson converted with 20:47 remaining in the game.
Michigan plays in the Big Ten Tournament championship game tomorrow (Sunday, Nov. 7) at 2 p.m. in Bill Armstrong Stadium against fifth-ranked Penn State, a 2-1 winner over Minnesota in the second semifinal. Earlier this season (Sept. 19), the Wolverines tied the Nittany Lions 0-0 in State College, Pa.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Illinois | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Michigan | 3 | 1 | 4 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Abby Crumpton (10), 6:24 (Kacy Beitel)
1st -- U-M, Beitel (12), 8:26 (Michele Pesiri, Mari Hoff)
1st -- UI, Emily Brown, 15:48 (Heather Nadeau)
1st -- U-M, Carly Williamson (2), 37:13 (Emily Schmitt)
2nd -- U-M, Hoff (6), 51:50 (Crumpton)
2nd -- UI, Lindsay Johnson, 52:15 (Nadeau)
2nd -- UI, Sue Hodson, 69:13 (unassisted)
Shots: U-M 14, UI 12
Saves: U-M 4 (Carissa Stewart), UI 5 (Sarah Heggen)
Corner Kicks: U-M 1, UI 6
Fouls: U-M 13, UI 8
Cards: UI, Kristen Holman, 80:08 (yellow); UI, Julie Schueller, 69:13 (yellow)
Contact: Jay Levin (734) 763-4423
