Defense Propels Michigan to Shutout Win Over Gophers

Sunday, September 28

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

3-4-3 (2-1-1)

Minnesota

4-4-1 (1-3-0)

Minnesota

Michigan

9/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Junior Kate Morgan (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty HS) scored a goal in her second straight game, leading the University of Michigan women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Minnesota Sunday afternoon (Sept. 28) at the U-M Soccer Field. Morgan's game-winner came midway through the first half and the Wolverine defense dominated the rest of the contest, holding Minnesota without a single shot on goal in the game.

Kate Morgan (10) and Judy Coffman celebrate Morgan's game-winning goal at 28:46.

Michigan immediately put pressure on the Gophers defense in the first two minutes of the game, as senior Erika Kleinholz (North Ridgeville, Ohio/Elyria Catholic HS) fought through two defenders on the left side and fired a shot that was blocked by Minnesota goalkeeper Karli Kopietz. Three minutes later, senior Stephanie Chavez (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood HS) sent a long cross toward the left post, but Kleinholz's attempt at a diving header was just shy and the ball fell into the hands of Kopietz.

The Wolverines continued their offensive intensity throughout the half, with Chavez centering a pass to junior Laura Tanchon (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS), who sent the ball high over the net from the top of the box with 27:05 left until the break. Five minutes later, U-M had another chance to get on the scoreboard, as Morgan made a cross from the left side, but Kopietz blocked it in front and the Gophers were able to clear the ball.

U-M was more fortunate on its next series, as junior Robyn Vince (Holt, Mich./Holt HS) carried the ball into the middle and flicked the ball to Morgan, who cut back on the left side and scored on the near post to put Michigan on top 1-0 heading into halftime.

After the break, the Wolverines continued their attack, with Vince sending a corner kick to sophomore Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South HS), who headed the ball to her left and into the hands of Kopietz.

The Maize and Blue did not allow a single scoring opportunity by the Gophers in the second half, holding Minnesota without a shot for the entire 45 minutes. Michigan controlled the ball for a majority of the half, reeling off seven more shots en route to the victory.

The Wolverines (3-4-3, 2-1-1 Big Ten) continue conference action Friday (Oct. 3) with a 7:30 p.m. contest against Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Minnesota	0	0	0
Michigan	1	0	1

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- Michigan, Kate Morgan, 28:46 (Robyn Vince)

Shots: U-M 19, MINN 4 
Saves: U-M 0 (Suzie Grech), MINN 10 (Karli Kopietz)
Corner Kicks: U-M 7, MINN 0
Fouls: U-M 10, MINN 8
Cards: U-M, Erika Kleinholz, 71:10 (yellow)

Q U O T E S

U-M Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the defense ... "I think the teams that we played before the Big Ten season were tough. It gave us some good experience and taught them what to expect against any team. They battled hard and our defense is playing better each game."

On controlling the ball ... "I thought we started to do that on Friday (Sept. 26) a little. That is how we got our goals. I think that if we can possess the ball, we have some players that are pretty good on their first touch and like to combine, give-and-go and overlap. This was a good team to do that against. You have to keep the ball moving on Minnesota. That was our game plan."

On the lack of finishing ... "At halftime we said that one goal might not be enough. We didn't play pretty soccer but we needed to finish another one. But we got that one goal and if we can win 1-0, I'll take that."

N O T E S

The last time Michigan held an opponent without a shot on goal was back on Sept. 17, 2001, when the Wolverines shut out Detroit 4-0 at the U-M Soccer Field.

The goal at 28:46 was the third game-winning tally of Morgan's career.

It marks the first time in Morgan's career that she has scored a goal in back-to-back games.

Morgan now has a team-best four goals on the season. Coming into this season she only had five in her first two years wearing the Maize and Blue.

Though she did not see a shot on goal, Suzie Grech (Narberth, Pa./The Shipley School) earned her 34th career victory and 25th career shutout. The win and shutout are her first in 2003.

Robyn Vince dished out her team-leading third assist of the season when she found Morgan for the game-winner at 28:46.

With the win the Wolverines improved their record to 2-2 at the U-M Soccer Field this season and to 4-7-0 all-time against Minnesota.