Michigan
Kentucky
Michigan Drops 2001 Home Opener to Kentucky
9/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team opened their 2001 home schedule with a 2-1 loss to the University of Kentucky on Friday (Sept. 7) at the U-M Soccer Field.
The Wolverines (0-3) peppered Kentucky goaltender Beth Wells with five shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of the game but each time came away without a score. Finally, with 13:30 left in the first half, Michigan's pressure netted a goal. Freshman Kate Morgan (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty HS), slid the ball along the ground past a sprawled-out Wells for her first career goal. Morgan was set up on two crisp passes from junior Carly Williamson (Barrington, R.I./Barrington HS) and junior Amy Sullivant (Utica, Mich./Eisenhower HS).
The Wolverines played stellar defense in the first half, limiting Kentucky to three shots on goal. However, the momentum changed for the Wolverines on a late first-half goal by Kentucky's Kathy Fulk with 1:15 remaining. As the pace slowed, Fulk launched an unassuming shot from just outside the 18-yard line. Michigan's goaltender, sophomore Bre Bennett (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS), could not reach the shot as it found the top left corner and sent the teams into the break tied at 1-1.
Kentucky (3-0) changed defensive strategies in the second half, moving a sweeper behind the defense to hinder Michigan's fast forwards from getting to loose balls. The plan worked as Kentucky easily moved the ball out of its zone and into Michigan's half of the field. Kentucky forward Annie Gage capitalized on a nice corner kick pass from Alli Haussler to take the lead with 34:15 left in the second half.
Now trailing by a goal, Michigan tried an all-out offensive assault but its frustration grew as Kentucky's sweeper kept the Wolverines forwards from good scoring chances. The offensive stalemate continued for the rest of the half as U-M could only manage one more shot on goal.
The Wolverines will look for their first victory this season Sunday (Sept. 9, 1 p.m.) when they host the University of Dayton at the U-M Soccer Field.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Michigan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Kate Morgan, 31:30 (Carly Williamson, Amy Sullivant)
1st -- UK, Kathy Fulk, 43:45 (unassisted)
2nd -- UK, Alli Haeussler, 55:45 (Annie Gage)
Shots: U-M 14, UK 12
Saves: U-M 6 (Bre Bennett), UK 6 (Beth Wells)
Corner Kicks: U-M 4, UK 5
Fouls: U-M 12, UK 13
Cards: None
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the team's performance ... "There were flashes of good, but we got snakebit by our mistakes. There are no excuses. We have to play better."
On Kentucky's late first-half goal ... "It was definitely a momentum breaker. We were in control, but now Kentucky could feel real good about themselves to start the second."
On the impact of Abby Crumpton missing the game due to injury ... "It was big because she's got experience. We had to play a lot of freshmen at the forward spot and we missed her leadership. Abby's game can make a difference."
Freshman Forward Kate Morgan
On her first career goal ... "It's a big relief. I've been so nervous that it felt good to get this one. Hopefully there's many more to come."
On Michigan's difficulty generating scoring chances in the second half ... "In the first half we relied on our faster forwards beating them (Kentucky) to the ball, so they moved a sweeper back there to get to the deep balls and limit us from getting to anything loose."
On the team's mood heading into Sunday's game against Dayton ... "It's frustrating (being winless) but I was told this is how we started last year and we finished real well. We'll do that again this year. We're gonna bounce back and get Dayton."
Contact: Karen Simpson (734) 763-4423
