Michigan Downs Marquette in NCAA First-Round Action

Friday, November 16

Milwaukee, Wis.

7:30 PM CT

Michigan

Marquette

11/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Junior Abby Crumpton (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams HS) scored 13:18 into the game and the Wolverine defense made it hold up as the No. 20-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team shut out Marquette 1-0 on Friday (Nov. 16) in an NCAA Tournament first-round contest at Marquette's Valley Fields.

Michigan's first scoring chance of the game came from freshman Liz Dosa (Piedmont, Calif./Piedmont HS), who took a pass from Crumpton inside the box. While the pass was perfect, Marquette's goalkeeper smothered the ball before Dosa could get off a shot.

The Wolverines kept the pressure on and got three more shots off before the Golden Eagles were able to get the ball out of their end. Their clearing pass through the midfield and behind the Wolverine defense led sophomore goalkeeper Suzie Grech (Narbeth, Pa./The Shipley School) to come to the front of the box for a long pass up to Crumpton. Alone in front of the defense, Crumpton shot the ball to the top right corner of the net for her team-leading 13th goal of the season. The assist was Grech's second of her career, with both coming in the last three games.

Michigan had two more scoring chances before halftime as Amy Sullivant's (Utica, Mich./Eisenhower HS) shot hit the crossbar 36:21 into the game and then Stephanie Chavez (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood HS) had an open shot from the far left side but hit the outside of the net. Crumpton had a second chance off the rebound but kicked it wide.

After the break it looked as though the Wolverines had a sure goal when Crumpton passed the ball across the box to the 10-yard mark for a streaking Michele Pesiri (New Hyde Park, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy). Pesiri's shot was along the ground to the far left of the net and appeared to be going in, until the Marquette goalkeeper made a diving save, deflecting the ball with her right hand.

Marquette picked up its level of play and created scoring chances late in the second half, but the Wolverines' defense held off the attack. Grech finished with four saves in recording her 11th shutout of the season.

The Wolverines (13-7-1) will play in the second round of the NCAA Tournament against Dartmouth on Sunday (Nov. 18) at 1 p.m. CST at Valley Fields. The Big Green defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee 1-0 in double overtime in the opening match Friday.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Michigan	1	0	1
Marquette	0	0	0

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- Michigan, Abby Crumpton, 13:18 (Suzie Grech)

Shots: Michigan 9, Marquette 9
Saves: Michigan 4 (Suzie Grech), Marquette 4 (Ashleigh Koenig)
Corner Kicks: Michigan 2, Marquette 5
Fouls: Michigan 13, Marquette 6
Cards: None

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the team's performance ... "We played really well from start to finish, which has been difficult for us at times this season. I thought the team responded well to the hometown crowd and the emotions of Marquette. We were definitely aware of these factors, but we didn't let the hecklers affect our game. Winning on their home field makes it that much sweeter."

Sophomore Goalkeeper Suzie Grech
On Marquette's attack ... "They had some pretty quick forwards, but we played really confident and stuck to our game plan. Really, I think we are peaking again. We peaked midway through the season and kind of hit a lull towards the end, but now I think we are peaking again. We'll be ready on Sunday."

Junior Forward Abby Crumpton
On her game-winning goal ... "Well, to be honest I really wasn't all that excited about it until after the game was over. I was concerned with Marquette's late attack. A few times this season we have given up late goals, so I was concentrating more on getting the win and trying to create opportunities rather than hang onto the fact that I had scored for us. I was happy about it after the game was over."

N O T E S

Abby Crumpton's goal is her seventh in the last six games. Her six-game scoring streak dates back to the Michigan State game (Oct. 26), and she has now scored seven of Michigan's last nine goals.

Crumpton's goal against the Golden Eagles tied her for third place on Michigan's all-time goals scored list. Crumpton now has 13 on the season and 32 in her career.

Michigan's win against Marquette was its first on the road in NCAA Tournament play. U-M is now 4-4 in the NCAA Tournament (3-0 home, 1-4 road).

Michigan 1-0 blanking of Marquette is the Wolverines' 12th shutout of the season, breaking the school single-season shutout record (11, 1997). The win is Suzie Grech's 11th shutout of the season, extending her school single-season shutout record.

Contact: Karen Simpson (734) 763-4423