Weekly Release #11
10/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, Oct. 28 -- vs. Michigan State (U-M Soccer Field), 7 p.m.
Thu-Sun., Nov. 3-6 -- host Big Ten Tournament (U-M Soccer Field)
This Week
Michigan (7-8-2) will host the Michigan State Spartans in the Wolverines' final regular season game on Friday (Oct. 28) at 7 p.m. at U-M Soccer Field.
Friday's Promotions
Friday will be Senior Day to celebrate the wonderful careers of the Michigan seniors who will be playing their last regular season games of their respective careers. Friday will also be High School Team Day at U-M Soccer Field.
Scouting the Opponent
Michigan State -- Michigan State (10-4-4, 6-2-1 Big Ten) is coming off a 1-0 win over Minnesota on Friday (Oct. 21) and a 3-0 loss to Penn State on Sunday (Oct. 23). Senior forward Emma Harris, tied for second in the Big Ten with 11 goals, leads the Spartan offense. She has racked up a team-best 24 points this season (11g, 3a). Senior forward Dana Voorheis is also a potent offensive threat, netting three goals and dishing out six assists for 12 points, which is good for second on the team. Redshirt-sophomore Nicole Galas has played all but 27:55 in net for MSU this season. She is second in the Big Ten with 86 saves and leads the Big Ten with eight shutouts, while compiling a 0.91 goals-against-average and posting a 10-4-4 record. Tom Saxton is in his 15th year as head coach of the Michigan State women's soccer program and has compiled a 138-120-20 record over that span. The Spartans return 18 letterwinners and eight starters from last year's squad that finished 12-7-1 (3-6-1 Big Ten) and ninth in the Big Ten. The Wolverines hold an 8-3-2 advantage all-time against Michigan State. After dropping the first ever game played between the two schools in the Wolverines' inaugural season in 1994, the Wolverines went unbeaten in six straight games, including winning five in a row from 1996-99 by a combined score of 17-4, including a 2-1 first-round win on November 15 in the 1999 Big Ten Tournament on the way to the program's second Big Ten Tournament title. Michigan lost 1-0 to MSU in 2000, but exacted revenge with two wins in 2001, including a 2-0 win in the first round of the 2001 Big Ten Tournament. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in 2002, with Michigan winning in 2003 by a score of 2-1 in Ann Arbor. The Spartans won last season's meeting 2-1 in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State on the Internet: www.msuspartans.com.
Challenge Cup Time
The Wolverines have an opportunity to clinch the Challenge Cup for Fall 2005 with a victory against Michigan State on Friday (Oct. 28). Michigan currently leads the MSU 2.5-1 in the fall standings. In 2004, the Wolverines captured Challenge Cup for Fall 2004 with wins in football, and men's and women's cross country after trailing going into each of the respective sport's contests.
Comcast to Televise Friday's Game Against Spartans
Friday's game against Michigan State at 7 p.m. will be televised on Monday at 7 p.m. on Comcast Local channel eight in Ann Arbor.
Michigan in Season Finales
The Wolverines are 8-3 all-time in games closing out the regular season. The Wolverines won their first three season finales, with wins against Nebraska (2-0) in 1994, Wright State (4-1) in 1995, and Valpraiso (7-0) in 1996. Notre Dame ended that streak with a 5-0 win over Michigan in 1997. The Maize and Blue split with Kentucky in season finales in 1998 (W, 2-1) and 1999 (L, 1-0 2OT). Michigan has won four of the last five season finales, including earning revenge on the road against an undefeated Notre Dame team in 2003, 3-2. Michigan defeated Butler, 7-1, in 2000 and Western Michigan, 2-0, in 2001. Kentucky defeated the Wolverines in 2002, 1-0. Michigan went on the road to Western Michigan and left with a 2-1 victory to close out the 2004 season last year.
Second-Half Charge Not Enough in Loss to No. 1 Lions
The University of Michigan women's soccer team fell to the top-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions 4-2 on Friday night (Oct. 21) at the U-M Soccer Field. Despite outshooting the Nittany Lions 10-8 in the second half and twice cutting the Nittany Lions' lead to one, the Wolverines could not net the equalizer. Danelle Underwood (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) and Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South) each scored second-half goals for the Wolverines in the loss.
Late Goal Costly in Wolverines' Loss to Golden Gophers
The University of Michigan women's soccer team battled with Minnesota in a tough, physical game that featured just seven shots on goal on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 23) but could not score and lost 1-0 at the U-M Soccer Field. Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic) and Madison Gates (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) split time in net for the Wolverines, each making two saves. Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) had a team-high three shots in the contest.
Heaton Moving Up in the Record Books
With her second-half goal against Penn State (Oct. 21), Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville, South) moved to within three points of Jessica Limauro (1995-98) for fourth place in all-time points by a Wolverine. Heaton's 76 career points trail Limauro's 79. She also moved to within one goal of Ruth Poulin (1994-97) for fifth place in all-time goals. Her 29 goals trail Poulin's 30. Heaton's 18 career assists are one assist shy of Debbie Flaherty (1994-97) for fifth place all-time in assists with 19. Against Minnesota (Oct. 23), Heaton moved into a tie for fourth place on Michigan's career games played list with 88. She is three games shy of tying Michigan's all-time leaders Kacy Beitel (1997-2000) and Amy Sullivant (1999-2002) who each played 91 games in their respective careers. Andrea Kayal (1999-2002) and Erika Kleinholz (2000-03) also played 88 games in each of their careers.
Heaton Saving Her Best For Last
Therese Heaton tied her career-best season total in points (24) with her second-half goal against Penn State (Oct. 21). She is one goal shy of equaling her career-best season total in goals (10), which along with her career-best season total in points, she set during her freshman campaign in 2002. Heaton already set a career-best season total in assists with six this season, besting her old career-best season total of five from 2004.
Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) fired a team-high three shots against Minnesota (Oct. 23), eclipsing the 50-shot mark on the season. Her 53 shots this season are the second highest total on the team. She had 37 total shots in two previous seasons at Michigan.
Tuura Reaches Milestone, Nears Another
Megan Tuura's (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic) seven-save performance against Penn State (Oct. 21) moved her into sole possession of third place in all-time career saves in the Michigan record book. She has a team-leading 64 saves this season and 225 in her career. She trails Suzie Grech's 256 career saves for second place all-time. She needs just one more win to tie Jessica Jones (1995-98) for third place in all-time wins. Tuura's 25 wins in her career trail Jones' 26.
Assist for Artsis
Jamie Artsis (Chatsworth, Calif./Harvard-Westlake School) added to her career-best season total in assists after tallying her third helper of the season on Danelle Underwood's second-half goal against Penn State (Oct. 21).
Dobbyn, Dobbyn, Dobbyn
Melissa Dobbyn (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) added to her team leading-point total with an assist on Danelle Underwood's second-half goal against Penn State (Oct. 21). She has a team-leading 28 points this season. She also continued her streak of being the only Wolverine player this season to record a shot in every game with her two shots against Penn State and one shot against Minnesota (Oct. 23). Her only collegiate game without a shot came in a 1-0 win over Indiana on Oct. 10, 2004, in which she assisted on the lone goal of the game.
Streaky Dobbyn and Heaton
Melissa Dobbyn and Therese Heaton each extended their point streaks to five games against Penn State (Oct. 21). Dobbyn tallied three goals and five assists over a five-game span, while Heaton netted four goals and earned three assists over a five-game span. Both streaks were snapped in the 1-0 loss to Minnesota on Sunday (Oct. 23).
Leading All Freshman
Danelle Underwood (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) tallied three points for the first time in her career with her goal and assist against Penn State (Oct. 21). Underwood is now tied with Judy Coffman for the third most points on the team this season with 12. Underwood also equaled her career high in shots with a team-high six. She fired a team-high six shots at Miami (Ohio) earlier this season (Sept. 11). She leads all Wolverine freshman in points (12), goals (5), assists (2) and shots (31) this season.
Leading Dobbyn
Melissa Dobbyn leads the Wolverines in goals (10), assists (8), points (28) and shots (70) this season. Her eight assists are tops in the Big Ten. Her 28 points and 70 shots are good for second best in the Big Ten. She is also fourth in the conference in goals.
Did You Know
The 1-0 loss to Minnesota was the 10th game that ended in a shutout in 13 games all-time against Minnesota.
Melissa Dobbyn's 10 goals and 28 points this season are the most by a Wolverine since 2002 when Abby Crumpton (1999-02) netted 11 goals and tallied 35 points.
The Maize and Blue have committed 70 fewer fouls than in its opponents this season. Michigan has been called for 178 to its' opponents 248.
U-M Listed No. 4 in Big Ten
The Wolverines earned a No. 4 ranking in the Big Ten Conference preseason coaches poll released Thursday, Aug. 18. U-M is listed below 2004 Big Ten regular-season champion Penn State, Big Ten Tournament champion Ohio State and Illinois.
2005 Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll (8/18/05)
1. Penn State 2. Ohio State 3. Illinois 4. MICHIGAN 5. Wisconsin 6. Indiana 7. Purdue 8. Northwestern 9. Michigan State 10. Minnesota 11. Iowa
Let's Take a Look at the Poll
The Wolverines remained unranked in the latest NCSAA/adidas National Rankings after a loss to Penn State on Friday (Oct. 21) and a loss to Minnesota on Sunday (Oct. 23). The Wolverines made their season debut in the national rankings the week of September 6 with a No. 17 listing. U-M fell out of the association's Great Lakes Regional rankings.
NSCAA/adidas National Rankings (10/25/05)
Rank, School W-L-T Prev 1. Penn State 17-0-0 1 2. Portland 16-0-1 2 3. North Carolina 16-1-0 3 4. UCLA 14-1-1 4 5. Notre Dame 16-2-0 7 6. Florida State 14-2-0 9 7. Santa Clara 13-2-2 5 8. Boston College 11-3-2 11 9. California 11-2-2 10 10. Virginia 12-4-1 8 11. Texas A&M 12-3-2 14 12. Marquette 16-2-1 13 13. Duke 11-4-1 6 14. Connecticut 14-3-1 16 15. Brigham Young 15-1-2 12 16. Tennessee 11-5-1 17 17. Florida 12-4-1 19 18. Cal State Fullerton 13-3-3 21 19. West Virginia 10-4-3 18 20. Gonzaga 11-3-2 NR 21. Yale 11-2-1 22 22. Nebraska 11-5-1 NR 23. Clemson 9-6-2 NR 24. Purdue 11-6-0 20 25. Arizona 9-4-3 NR
U-M Out of Soccer Buzz National Rankings
The Wolverines remained unranked in the latest Soccer Buzz national rankings, released yesterday (Monday, Oct. 24). The Maize and Blue moved down to No. 11 in the publication's Great Lakes regional rankings. Michigan's opponent this Friday, Michigan State, holds the 28th spot.
Wolverines Earn Eighth Straight NCAA Bid in 2004
After starting out the 2004 campaign at 0-2, Michigan found its groove and went unbeaten during the next eight games (6-0-2). During the stretch, the Wolverines claimed a pair of home victories over nationally-ranked opponents Boston University (No. 22) and Illinois (No. 11). Michigan got off to a great start in Big Ten Conference play, earning four straight wins to climb to the top of the league standings. Fifth-ranked Penn State put a halt to the winning streak with a 1-0 victory in double-overtime at the U-M Soccer Field (Oct. 1), and the Wolverines would win just three of their final nine games of the regular season. Michigan got back on track with a 1-0 victory over No. 25 Wisconsin in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, but would fall to host and 13th-ranked Ohio State 5-2 in the semifinals. Detroit spoiled the Maize and Blue's eighth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, earning a 3-2 upset in the first round to end Michigan's season.
Michigan finished at 11-9-2 overall and took third place in the Big Ten at 6-3-1. Three Wolverines earned All-Big Ten second team honors -- Jamie Artsis, Brenna Mulholland (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) and Megan Tuura, while Melissa Dobbyn was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. Dobbyn and Therese Heaton finished in a tie for the team lead in points with 21, while Tuura allowed 32 goals in over 2,050 minutes of action (.744 GAA) and earned seven shutouts.
Introducing the Captains ...
Seniors Stephanie Boyles (Arvada, Colo./Pomona) and Therese Heaton, and junior Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton) have been selected to lead the Wolverines as tri-captains in 2005. It marks the first nomination for both Heaton and Spencer, while Boyles is carrying the honor for the second straight season.
The Leader of the Wolverines
Head coach Debbie Rademacher is in her 12th season at the helm of the U-M women's soccer program having compiled a career record of 146-90-23 heading into the week. Over that stretch, the Wolverines' program has exhibited steady growth; from an impressive Big Ten Conference Tournament semifinal finish in the inaugural 1994 season, to a pair of conference tournament titles in 1997 and 1999, the Maize and Blue has begun to expect success on the national level, with eight consecutive NCAA Tournament trips, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2002 and the Sweet 16 in 2003. Rademacher has coached four National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Americans, 19 NSCAA all-region honorees, 35 All-Big Ten first- or second-team picks and 81 Academic All-Big Ten recipients.
Guiney Remains on Staff as Women's Soccer Assistant
Head coach Debbie Rademacher announced at the beginning of the year that interim assistant coach Aileen Guiney would be joining the U-M coaching staff on a permanent basis. A varsity letterwinner for the Wildcats from 2000-03, Guiney finished her collegiate career with 20 assists, which is second on NU's all-time list, and eight goals for 36 points. A three-time captain, Guiney earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America and Soccer Buzz All-Great Lakes Region second team honors in 2003 after leading the team in scoring with four goals and four assists for 12 points. She joins Rademacher and Dan Dalzochio, who is in his fourth season as an assistant, on the U-M coaching staff.
Michigan Set to Host Big Ten Tournament
In addition to Michigan's nine regular season home contests in 2005, the Wolverines will host the Big Ten Tournament for the first time on Nov. 3-6 at the U-M Soccer Field. The top eight teams in the league standings are invited to the annual postseason championship, and Michigan has qualified every year since the inaugural tournament in 1994. Michigan has won two Big Ten Tournament titles (1997, '99).
Flip the Switch
The Wolverine soccer programs will be able to host night games for the first time in 2005, as new lighting was installed at the U-M Soccer Field in early August. The Musco Light Structure Green features a four-pole system that is lit to an average of 70 foot-candles. The men's soccer team will suit up for the first-ever night game on September 1 against Detroit, while the women's team will host its first night game on September 2 against Texas. Both matches are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
On the Horizon ...
The Wolverines will host the Big Ten Tournament (Nov. 3-6) at U-M Soccer Field.
Contact: Matt Baumer (734) 763-4423
