U-M Blanks Oakland, Advances to NCAA Second Round

Friday, November 15

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

14-6-1

Oakland

10-12-1

Oakland

Michigan

11/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Andrew Ladd

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Event: NCAA Tournament (First Round)
Score: Michigan 1, Oakland 0
Records: U-M (14-6-1), Oakland (10-12-1)
Next U-M Match: Sunday (Nov. 17) -- vs. Miami (Ohio) in NCAA Tournament Second Round (U-M Soccer Field), noon

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament by outlasting Oakland University 1-0 on Friday (Nov. 15) at U-M Soccer Field. Michigan peppered the Golden Grizzlies' defense by taking 25 total shots to OU's three. Andrea Kayal (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills HS) scored the decisive tally in the second half at 59:41, and goalkeeper Suzie Grech (Narbeth, Pa./The Shipley School) made two saves in the second half for her eighth shutout of the season.

Kayal converted the Wolverines' lone tally in the 60th minute. Amy Sullivant (Utica, Mich./Eisenhower HS) and Carly Williamson (Barrington, R.I./Barrington HS) were credited with assists, as Williamson knocked a dead-ball restart into open space before Sullivant lofted her cross in the box. Moving in behind the defense, Kayal out-jumped several Oakland defenders and redirected the ball to the left, out of OU goalkeeper Sarah Buckland's reach.

In the first half of play, Michigan controlled the ball in Oakland's half of the field, attempting 15 shots and forcing five saves from Buckland. Michigan's best opportunities came on a breakaway by sophomore Laura Tanchon (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS) with just over 13 minutes left in the half. Tanchon made a move on the goalkeeper, but her shot went right into Buckland's midsection for the save.

Michigan notched two near-misses in the game's opening minutes, as both Sullivant and Williamson tested Buckland with shots from 30 yards. Williamson's attempt forced Buckland to jump and knock the ball over the crossbar, while the OU goalie was just able push Sullivant's shot far enough to the left that it hit the intersection of the post and the crossbar.

Tanchon continued to pressure Oakland early in the second half as her shot just under five minutes into the period was stopped just inside the right post. Six minutes later she found herself open from 15 yards out and curled a shot just wide of the left post.

Midway through the period Oakland had an opportunity from 30 yards outside the Michigan goal off of a restart but the shot went directly to an alert Grech in net.

Michigan will play its second-round contest against Miami (Ohio), which defeated Michigan State 2-1 earlier in Friday's first match. The second-round matchup is slated to start at noon Sunday (Nov. 17).

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Oakland	0	0	0
Michigan	0	1	1

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- U-M, Andrea Kayal, 49:51 (Amy Sullivant, Carly Williamson)

Shots: U-M 25, OU 3
Saves: U-M 2 (Suzie Grech), OU 7 (Sarah Buckland)
Corner Kicks: U-M 3, OU 1
Fouls: U-M 8, OU 15
Cards: None

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
Opening statement ... "We are ecstatic that we got that first game over. I thought we played well. It was a good game. Now we are focusing on Sunday."

On the overall play of the team ... "The only complaint I had at halftime was with the quality of our shots. We were getting in but we were maybe a little off-balance. Our build-up and our defense and our ball movement were solid. It was just that final shot that needed to be sharper. We certainly had the opportunities."

On Miami (Ohio) ... "We watched the game before. We know that they have pretty much the same team that we played against two years ago here. It was a close game in overtime. We will talk about it tomorrow with the team and be ready with what their strong points are. They are a good team so we will be ready for a tough game."

U-M Senior Defender Andrea Kayal
On her goals against Oakland this season ... "Every time we have any direct kick, I try and get in there. I am trying to score any way possible. Amy (Sullivant) finds my head."

On her goal ... "I was trying to avoid their defenders so I was turned the other way. As soon as I looked up the ball was in already. I just tried to flick it on. I guess that when the goalie came out it went in."

U-M Junior Goalkeeper Suzie Grech
On keeping her focus during the game ... "I just try and keep myself focused on the game by keeping always talking and always communicating. I am sure that Andrea can contest that she hears me even when the ball is down at the corner kick. That is the only way that I know that I will stay focused for the game."

Oakland Head Coach Nick O'Shea
Opening statement ... "We are very disappointed not to move on to the next round. We knew it would be a tough job to get there but we were up to the challenge. We worked very hard and I thought the team did well in carrying out the game plan and neutralizing their players. We just did not get the breaks that we needed on the other end. When we did get a couple, we just did not take advantage of them. Eventually they got one and that is the way the game of soccer goes. I thought our players fought very hard and played a good game form a standpoint of doing what we thought we needed to do to come out of the game with a victory."

On Michigan's Andrea Kayal ... "One of our weaknesses is in the air. That is obvious, not only on set plays but throughout the game. That is one of her strengths. When you match strengths and weaknesses, sometimes strengths come through. We knew after the first game that she was a threat. We designed plays to stop her on set pieces, but they got one and put it in."

Oakland Freshman Midfielder Ingrid Mortensen
On if the team was comfortable playing Michigan at the U-M Soccer Field ... "They are a team we could have beaten if we had had a couple of more chances or put our chances away. Like Coach said, that is the way soccer goes. You cannot do anything about it."

Oakland Senior Forward Debbie Cartmel
On the game ... "I was very upset. Coming in, I though we got a good draw. We have played Michigan every year since I have been here. We know how they play."