Michigan
Northwestern
Wolverines Shut Out Northwestern in Rain-Soaked Affair
9/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The University of Michigan field hockey team began defense of its Big Ten Conference regular-season championship on Friday afternoon (Sept. 26) in a downpour at Northwestern's Lakeside Field, but the Wolverines battled through various rain delays to shut out the host Wildcats 3-0. Junior Jessica Blake (Perth, Western Austrailia/St. Mary's Anglican School) scored twice in the win as the Wolverines dominated the contest from start to finish.
Blake scored 2:40 into the contest to give U-M the lead for good, then freshman Jill Civic (Wescosville, Pa./Emmaus HS) put U-M up 2-0 a little over three minutes later on a penalty corner, taking a pass from sophomore Lori Hillman (Gibbsboro, N.J./Eastern Regional HS) and putting the ball past NU keeper Sherri-Anne Nyberg.
Blake added another marker early in the second half, scoring off a feed from junior Adrienne Hortillosa (Chula Vista, Calif./Bonita Vista HS).
Freshman goalkeeper Beth Riley (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area HS) improved her record to 4-0, making one save to notch her second shutout of the season. Northwestern's Nyberg made 11 saves.
The Wolverines will return home to host Kent State in non-conference action on Monday (Sept. 29). Game time is slated for 3 p.m. at Ocker Field.
MATCH SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Northwestern | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Jessica Blake, 2:40 (unassisted)
1st -- U-M, Jill Civic, 6:10 (Lori Hillman)
2nd -- U-M, Blake, 37:26 (Adrienne Hortillosa)
Shots: U-M 17, NU 3
Saves: U-M 1 (Beth Riley), NU 11 (Sherri-Anne Nyberg)
Defensive Saves: None
Penalty Corners: U-M 9, NU 6
Penalty Strokes: None
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On the game ... "I thought we played a really strong possession game and passed really well. We stayed focus through all the rain and the delays, which was key, and we played a nice game. Jessica Blake had a nice first half and Beth Riley made some critical saves, but Kristi Gannon stuck out in the middle and had a really strong game, distributing the ball well and keeping the tempo going."
N O T E S
Michigan has won its last eight Big Ten contests, dating back to the 2001 campaign.
The Wolverines have won the last 12 meetings with the Wildcats.
Jessica Blake netted a career-high two goals in the win and improved her total to five for the season, a career high. Blake has scored in each of the last three contests and has accumulated 5-3-13 totals, also a career high.
Jill Civic's goal was her seventh of the season.
Beth Riley made her third start of the season and improved her record to 4-0 while recording her second shutout.
Contact: Paul Thomas (734) 763-4423
