Wolverines Succumb to Cavaliers in Exhibition Game

Friday, August 24

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

Virginia (ex)

8/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team opened its 2001 season with a 3-2 loss to the University of Virginia in an exhibition game Friday (Aug. 24) at the U-M Soccer Field.

Michigan capitalized on its second shot of the game for a goal by sophomore Stephanie Chavez (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood HS) 4:29 into the contest. After receiving the ball near the right sideline, junior Carly Williamson (Barrington, R.I./Barrington HS) moved it to sophomore Abby Crumpton (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams HS), who delivered a pinpoint crossing pass to the center of the goal box. Chavez outleapt the defender and headed the ball past Virginia's goaltender.

Michigan pressed hard the next few minutes, keeping the ball in Virginia's defensive zone. However, the Wolverines missed good scoring chances. Crumpton, smelling a goal, outhustled a Virginia defender to a loose ball and headed for a breakaway. Virginia's goalie, freshman Jodi Glugston, left her net to cut off Crumpton's angle and was able to deflect the ball to the left of the net, allowing sufficient time for her defense to recover and hold off Crumpton's assault.

Virginia tied the score at 1-1 on a goal by sophomore Alyssa Benitez at the 32:35 mark, but Michigan took back the lead a little over five minutes later on Crumpton's first goal of the season. Junior defenseman Amy Sullivant (Utica, Mich./Eisenhower HS) showed off a booming leg, catapulting the ball from her left defensive position to the right side of the field. Williamson earned her second assist by crossing to Crumpton, who kicked it in.

After dominating most of the first half and leading 2-1 at the break, Michigan lost momentum and the lead on early second-half goals by Virginia. Virginia senior Tracey Lache placed her shot in the high left corner, inches out of reach of Michigan goaltender Suzie Grech. The goal, coming five minutes into the second half, tied the game at two. Less than five minutes later sophomore Meredith Rhodes also went high with her shot, hitting the back of the net for the game-winner.

The Wolverines return to practice this week before traveling to Berkeley, Calif., to face Loyola Marymount and the host Golden Bears in the Cal Invitational on Friday and Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 2.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Virginia	1	2	3
Michigan	2	0	2

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Stephanie Chavez, 4:29 (Abby Crumpton, Carly Williamson)
1st -- UVa, Alyssa Benitez, 32:35 (Lori Lindsey, Sarah Lane)
1st -- U-M, Crumpton, 37:59 (Williamson, Amy Sullivant)
2nd -- UVa, Tracey Lache, 49:53 (Lindsey)
2nd -- UVa, Meredith Rhodes, 54:16 (Unassisted)

Shots: UVa 22, U-M 7
Saves: UVa 2 (Ashley Mowery), U-M 9 (Bre Bennett 3, Suzie Grech 6)
Corner Kicks: UVa 7, U-M 0
Fouls: UVa 4, U-M 2
Cards: None

Q U O T E S

U-M Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the team's first game ... "The team played very strong the first half. They attacked and had the momentum most of the way. We slowed down in the second half though. I think all the different combinations we tried, fatigue and Virginia's adjustments all played a role."