Weekly Release #6
9/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, Sept. 23 -- vs. Ohio State (U-M Soccer Field), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 25 -- at Oakland (Rochester, Mich.), 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30 -- at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), 4 p.m. EST/CDT
Sunday, Oct. 2 -- at Purdue (West Lafayette, Ind.), 1 p.m. EST/CDT
This Week
The University of Michigan women's soccer team (3-2-2) begins Big Ten Conference play on Friday as it faces Ohio State (Sept. 23) at 7 p.m. at the U-M Soccer Field. Michigan will stay in the state of Michigan and travel to Rochester on Sunday to face Oakland at 2:30 p.m at the OU Soccer Field.
Michigan Coffee Mugs to First 300
The first 300 Wolverine fans to enter the gates at U-M Soccer Field to watch the Michigan women's soccer team play host to Ohio State on Friday will receive a free University of Michigan Coffee Mug.
Scouting the Opponents
Ohio State -- Ohio State (3-2-2) has allowed more than one goal in a game only once this season. Freshman forward Lisa Collison leads the Ohio State offense. Collison has scored a team-leading five goals and chipped in one assist this season. Three goalkeepers have backstopped the Ohio State defense this season, with junior Staci Sinkway playing the most minutes (441:39). She has collected two of the Buckeyes' three wins this season (2-2-2) and holds a 0.82 goals-against-average, while making a team-leading 25 saves. Ohio State returns 17 letterwinners and seven starters from last year's squad which finished second in the Big Ten during the regular season. Last season, the Buckeyes finished 19-4-3 (6-1-3 Big Ten) and won the Big Ten Conference tournament with a 2-0 win over Penn State in the final game after defeating the Wolverines in the previous round. Head coach Lori Walker is in her 10th season with the Buckeyes and compiled a 95-67-14 record in nine seasons, while amassing a 108-90-15 record in her 11-year career. After dropping the first three games Michigan played against Ohio State from 1994-1996, the Wolverines went on a winning spree from 1997-2002, winning seven straight games, including a 3-0 win over the Buckeyes in the first-round of the 1997 Big Ten Conference tournament. Ohio State defeated Michigan in penalty kicks in the 2002 Big Ten Conference tournament. In 2003, the teams played to a draw during the regular season with Michigan winning the rematch in the first-round of the 2003 Big Ten Conference tournament by a score of 2-1. Last season in 2004, the two teams played to another regular season draw on October 3, with the Buckeyes winning the rematch 5-2 in the second-round of the Big Ten Conference tournament. Ohio State on the internet: www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
Oakland -- Oakland (3-3-1) won its first three games, but has lost three of its last four. Forwards Marianne Samdal and Kristi Swaving lead the Oakland offense. Samdal, a junior, has recorded a team-leading ten points (4 g, 2 a) this season, while Swaving, a senior, is not far behind with her four goals and one assist (nine points) this season. Sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Howard has played every minute in net for Oakland this season, making 33 saves and holds a 1.41 goals-against-average in seven games. Oakland returns 13 letterwinners and nine starters from last year's team that finished fourth in the Mid-Continent Conference with an overall record of 8-11-1 (3-3-0 Mid-Con). Head coach Nick O'Shea enters his 12th year with Oakland and owns a 139-63-9 record over that span. The Wolverines hold a 5-2-1 all-time record against the Grizzlies. Michigan went 4-0-1 in the first five meetings, including a 1-0 win in the first-round of the 2002 NCAA tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan has dropped two of the last three meetings, including last season's 1-0 loss in Rochester. Michigan's only win in the last two seasons was a 1-0 triumph in the first-round of the 2003 NCAA tournament in South Bend, Ind. Oakland University on the internet: www.ougrizzlies.com.
Michigan in Big Ten Openers
The Wolverines hold a 5-5-1 record all-time in the first game of Big Ten Conference play. Michigan won its conference opener last season against Illinois 1-0 at home in Ann Arbor and has a 3-1-1 record in the last five Big Ten openers. Record by opponent in conference openers: Illinois (1-1-1), Indiana (1-1-0), Iowa (1-0-0), Ohio State (1-2-0), Purdue (1-0-0) and Wisconsin (0-1-0).
Heaton's Hat Trick Propels U-M Past Western Michigan
The University of Michigan women's soccer team defeated Western Michigan 5-3 on Friday (Sept. 16) at the U-M Soccer Field. Senior Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South) netted her first career hat trick, scoring just 2:15 in and adding a pair of second-half goals, including the game-winner, to lead the Wolverine offense. Junior Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) added a first-half goal and freshman Danelle Underwood (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) tallied her second career goal in the first half. Junior Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic) remained undefeated (3-0-1), picking up her third win of the season. The Wolverines' five goals are the most goals scored in a game since Michigan's five-goal effort in a 5-1 win over Eastern Michigan in 2002 (Sept. 8). The school record for goals in a game is nine, which occurred on October 17, 1997, in a 9-1 win over Illinois in Ann Arbor.
Michigan Held Scoreless in Loss at No. 5 Notre Dame
The University of Michigan women's soccer team dropped a 3-0 decision to the fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sunday (Sept. 18). The Wolverines were outshot 23-3 in the loss. Megan Tuura made six saves for the Wolverines, which is her second highest total of the season.
Tuura Making Her Mark
Megan Tuura picked up her third win of the season and 22nd of her career against Western Michigan. She needs just four wins to tie Jessica Jones (1995-1998) for third-place in all-time wins for Michigan with 26. Tuura has a tight grasp on second-place all-time in goals-against-average with an amazing clip of 1.21. She is also moving up in all-time saves. Her 186 saves rank fourth all-time. She is 32 saves shy of Jones for third-place all-time.
Tricky Heaton
Therese Heaton tallied her first career hat trick against Western Michigan, including the game-winner at 74:10. Her previous career high in goals was two, which she has accomplished three times in her career. She scored two goals against Boston University last season in 2004 (Sept. 12), against the University of Florida in 2002 (Aug. 31), and against Miami (Ohio) in 2002 NCAA Tournament (Nov. 17). Heaton's hat trick is just the eighth in the history of women's soccer at Michigan. Her six points match the third most in a game all-time and she is only the eighth player in Michigan history to register a six-point game. Jamie Artsis is the last Michigan player to record a six-point game. Artsis notched a hat trick against Iowa on Sept. 26, 2004.
Heaton Moving Up in the Michigan Record Books
Therese Heaton's game-winning goal against Western Michigan moved her into sole possession of fifth place all-time in game-winning goals in the Michigan record book with nine. She needs just one more game-winner to move into a tie for second place with Kacy Bietel (1997-2000), Abby Crumpton (1999-2002) and Stephanie Chavez (2000-03) who each scored 10 career game-winners. Heaton's three-goal outburst moved her into sixth place all-time in points in the U-M women's soccer record book with 64. She is just five points shy of Ruth Poulin's (1994-97) 69 career points (30 g, 9 a). She needs just five more goals to move into a tie with Poulin for fifth place in all-time goals. Heaton is the team leader in points with 12 (5 g, 2 a).
Artsis and Coffman Set Career-Bests
Judy Coffman scored her third career goal and her second in three games against Western Michigan. Coffman's two goals this season are a career-best season total. The goal gives her 10 career points (3 g, 4 a). Sophomore Jamie Artsis (Chatsworth, Calif./Harvard-Westlake School) earned her second assist of the season against Western Michigan. Her two assists this season are also a career-best season total. She has nine career points (3 g, 3 a).
Banco Banks First Helper
Sophomore Sarah Banco (Medfield, Mass./Noble and Greenough School) picked up her first career point with an assist on Therese Heaton's third goal in the second half against Western Michigan. She has seen action in seven games this season.
Underwood Getting Comfortable
Freshman Danelle Underwood netted her second career goal against Western Michigan. She has scored two goals and added one assist (five points) for the Wolverines this season.
Debuts for Goren and Thomas
Freshman midfielder Sheera Goren (Encino, Calif./Harvard-Westlake School) and freshman defender Kristin Thomas (Centennial, Colo./Cherry Creek) each saw their first career game action of the season as reserves against Western Michigan.
Notre Dame Contest to be Televised
The University of Michigan's game this past Sunday (Sept. 18) against Notre Dame will be shown in Ann Arbor on Comcast local channel 8 on Thursday. The airtime will be 8 p.m. EDT.
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
Lets Take a Look at the Poll
Michigan does not appear is the most recent NSCAA/adidas national rankings, released Tuesday, Sept. 22. The Wolverines made their season debut in the national poll on Sept. 6 with a No. 17 listing. U-M is listed at No. 4 in the association's Great Lakes Regional rankings.
NSCAA/adidas National Rankings (9/22/05)
Rank, School W-L-T Prev 1. North Carolina 8-0-0 1 2. Penn State 8-0-0 2 3. Portland 8-0-0 3 4. UCLA 7-1-0 6 5. Santa Clara 5-1-1 4 6. Notre Dame 7-1-0 5 7. Duke 6-0-1 7 8. Wake Forest 5-1-1 10 9. Boston College 6-0-0 9 10. California 6-1-1 8 11. Pepperdine 6-0-1 11 12. Florida State 7-0-0 16 13. Virginia 5-2-1 12 14. Texas A&M 5-1-1 14 15. Brigham Young 8-0-0 NR 16. Wisconsin 5-2-1 15 17. Florida 5-2-0 13 18. Connecticut 5-2-1 18 19. Cal Poly 6-0-2 17 20. Marquette 7-0-1 23 21. Texas 3-1-1 21 22. Arizona 4-1-2 22 23. West Virginia 3-3-2 20 24. Yale 6-2-0 NR 25. Cal State Fullerton 6-2-0 NR
U-M Drops to No. 22 in Soccer Buzz National Rankings
The Wolverines dropped two spots to No. 22 in the most recent Soccer Buzz national rankings, released yesterday (Monday, Sept. 19). Michigan is listed at No. 4 in the publication's Great Lakes regional rankings. Three of Michigan's remaining 2005 opponents appear in the magazine's national rankings: Penn State (No. 3), Wisconsin (No. 19) and Northwestern (No. 25).
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 (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) 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 143-85-23 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 ...
Michigan heads on the road for two Big Ten Conference matchups. On Friday (Sept. 30), the Wolverines travel to Bloomington, Ind., to face Indiana at 2:30 p.m. EST/CDT at Armstrong Stadium. Michigan stays in Indiana and will make the short trip over to West Lafayette, Ind., on Sunday (Oct. 2) to face Purdue at 1 p.m. EST/CDT at the Varsity Soccer Complex.
Contact: Matt Baumer (734) 763-4423
