Old Dominion Squeezes Past U-M in NCAA Quarterfinals

Sunday, November 13

Columbus, Ohio

2:00 PM

Michigan

(16-8)

Old Dominion

(19-5)

Michigan

Old Dominion

11/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team could not overcome a pair of early second-half tallies by No. 3 Old Dominion as the Wolverines fell 3-2 in the NCAA quarterfinal round on Sunday (Nov. 13) at Ohio State's North Turf Field.

Despite being outshot 16-6 and outcornered 6-4, the Wolverines hung in the game until the final buzzer as the two teams continued to move the ball back and forth across the field. Two quick Lady Monarch goals early in the second half played the deciding factor in the contest, giving ODU what proved to be an insurmountable two-goal advantage. Both goals came off penalty corner opportunities with Katelyn Smither scoring the game-winner at the 42:23 mark following a scrum in front of the U-M cage.

Freshman Stephanie Hoyer (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek HS) pulled the Wolverines within one goal several minutes later on Michigan's own penalty corner opportunity, tipping the direct shot from junior striker Kara Lentz (Manchester, Mass./St. Paul's School) past Lady Monarch goalkeeper Mary Cate Gordon at the 46:57 mark. U-M could not sustain the momentum, however, as the Lady Monarchs clamped down on defense and kept the ball away from Wolverine attackers for the rest of the game.

First-half play was largely contained to neutral midfield action for the first 20 minutes of the game. Old Dominion opened scoring at the 21:22 mark when Darcy Pinchbeck connected on clear shot to the U-M cage. Pinchbeck, standing alone on the left side of the striking circle, collected a forward pass from Nicolien van Nispen and slapped a hard shot past junior goalkeeper Beth Riley (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area HS), who had come out to challenge the play, to the far lower corner of the goal.

The Maize and Blue responded just a little more than three minutes later when freshman Erin Dallas (Marlow, N.H./Keene HS) tipped a shot from junior Mary Fox (St. Louis, Mo./Cor Jesu Academy) in front of the ODU cage to neutralize the score at one goal apiece. U-M continued to pressure in the Lady Monarch zone for remaining 10 minutes of the half and appeared to have an additional pair of goals after scramble situations deep in the circle, but both apparent goals were called back and score stayed 1-1 at the halftime break.

The Wolverines finish the season with a 16-8 record, their seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and the Big Ten Conference Tournament title.

MATCH SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Michigan	1	1	2
Old Dominion	1	2	3

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- ODU, Darcy Pinchbeck, 21:22 (Nicolien van Nispen)
1st -- U-M, Erin Dallas, 24:41 (Mary Fox)
2nd -- ODU, Dana Sensenig, 37:54 (Janelle Engle)
2nd -- ODU, Katelyn Smither, 42:23 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Stephanie Hoyer, 46:57 (Kara Lentz)

Shots: U-M 16, ODU 6
Saves: U-M 6 (Beth Riley), ODU 1 (Mary Cate Gordon)
Defensive Saves: U-M 0, ODU 0
Penalty Corners: U-M 4, ODU 6
Penalty Strokes: None

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Nancy Cox
On the game ... "I think we exceeded our expectations this seaon. These kids worked day in and day out, and that's what we expect them to do. Old Dominion, to their credit, executed a lovely game of field hockey in their possession skills in certain phases of the match. The last 15 minutes of the first half, we needed to capitalize."

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423