U-M Rallies Past Iowa in Big Ten Tournament Opener

Friday, November 4

Iowa City, Iowa

12:30 PM CT

Michigan

(13-7 (3-3))

Iowa

(10-8 (3-3))

Iowa

Michigan

11/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The No. 10-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team advanced to the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament after rallying from an early deficit to defeat No. 11 Iowa 3-2 on Friday (Nov. 4) at the Hawkeyes' Grant Field.

After trailing for nearly the entire first half following an early goal by the Hawekeyes' Debbie Birrell, freshman Erin Dallas (Marlow, N.H./Keene HS) netted the equalizing goal off a Michigan penalty corner just before the halftime intermission. Junior/sophomore striker Kristen Tiner (Houston, Texas/The Kinkaid School) took the initial shot from the perimeter of the cirlce, and Dallas, camped out in front of the cage, was able to get her stick on it and send it past Iowa goalkeeper Lissa Munley, knotting the score at 1-1 at the 33:01 mark.

The Wolverines continued their momentum early into the second half as sophomore Lucia Belassi (Paysandu, Uruguay/Liceo #1) found the back of the Hawkeye cage just 4:21 into the frame to give U-M its first lead of the game. Maneuvering around a Hawkeye back, Belassi carried the ball into the left side of the circle and let off a hard shot to beat Munley low.

Michigan extended its advantage later in the frame when junior Kara Lentz (Manchester, Mass./St. Paul's School) scored on a penalty stroke after an Iowa defender intentionally kicked the ball out of the circle. Coming at the 55:23 mark, it was Lentz's third goal off a penalty stroke this season as the Wolverine junior sent a hard shot to the left side of the cage. Her goal proved to be the eventual game-winner -- her second of the season -- as Iowa's Lauren Pfeiffer scored on a penalty stroke of her own at 61:12.

The Maize and Blue controlled the play through the largely defensive contest, outshooting the Hawkeyes 9-6 and outcornering them 6-4. Junior Beth Riley (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area HS) tallied three stops for the U-M win, while Munley made four saves in the Hawkeye cage.

The Wolverines will face top-seeded Penn State (17-2, 6-0 Big Ten) tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 5) in the first of two semifinal games at the Big Ten Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa. The contest is slated to begin at 11 a.m. CST at Iowa's Grant Field.

MATCH SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Iowa	1	1	2
Michigan	1	2	3

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- Iowa, Debbie Birrell, 3:38 (Kelly Slattery)
1st -- U-M, Erin Dallas, 33:01 (Kristen Tiner)
2nd -- U-M, Lucia Belassi, 39:21 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Kara Lentz, 55:23 (penalty stroke)
2md -- Iowa, Lauren Pfeiffer, 61:12 (penalty stroke)

Shots: U-M 9, Iowa 6
Saves: U-M 3 (Beth Riley), Iowa 4 (Lissa Munley)
Defensive Saves: U-M 0, Iowa 0
Penalty Corners: U-M 6, Iowa 4

N O T E S

The win over Iowa was the second in as many weekends for the Wolverines. They improved to 12-32 in the all-time series against the Hawkeyes with wins in 11 of the last 14 meetings.

Michigan also improved its record at the Big Ten Tournament to 12-8 and have won three in a row, dating back to last season's championship performance.

Earning her 57th career slate, junior Beth Riley claimed sole possession of the second spot on Michigan's career games played list, breaking the tie with Jonnie Terry (1981-84). She needs five more appearances to match the record, currently held by Rachael Geisthardt (62, 1992-95).

Freshman Erin Dallas and sophomore Lucia Belassi, who tallied two of Michigan's three goals in today's win, also scored in last weekend's 2-1 decision against Iowa.

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Nancy Cox
On game strategy ... "I think Iowa does a nice job with their team defense, so we made a few adjustments at halftime. We swapped Eleanor and Mary Fox, and that made a difference. That matchup for us really got Mary going on the left side of the midfield."

On tomorrow's game against top-seed Penn State ... "We just need to give them an exceptional gameplan. I think this matchup for Michigan is going to be a great matchup, because we have all of our personnel. We're 22 strong now, and we're ready to go. We're very exicted about the opportunity to play Penn State."

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423