Weekly Release #7
9/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Upcoming Schedule
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
Friday, Oct. 7 -- vs. Northwestern (Ann Arbor, Mich.), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9 -- vs. Wisconsin (Ann Arbor, Mich.), Noon
This Week
The University of Michigan women's soccer team (5-2-2) travels to Indiana this Friday (Sept. 30, 4 p.m. EST/CDT) to face off against Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., at Armstrong Stadium. The Wolverines stay in Indiana as they travel to West Lafayette Sunday (Oct. 2, 1 p.m. EST/CDT) to face Purdue at the Varsity Soccer Complex.
Scouting the Opponents
Indiana -- Indiana (4-5-1) looks to rebound from two Big Ten road losses this past weekend against Penn State (Sept. 23) and Minnesota (Sept. 25). The Hoosier offense is lead by senior midfielder Kristen Zmijewski. Zmijewski leads the team in goals (3) and points (3-1-7). Sophomore goalkeeper Stacey Van Boxmeer has started seven of Indiana's ten games this season and holds a 1-5-1 record, while posting a 2.05 goals-against-average and making a team-high 29 saves. Indiana returns 22 letterwinners and nine starters from last year's team that finished eighth in the Big Ten with a 3-5-2 conference record (9-7-3 overall). Head Coach Mick Lyon is in his fourth year at Indiana and during his tenure has earned a 27-24-4 record. Michigan has faired well in its history against the Hoosiers, holding a 9-1-1 record all-time against Indiana, with the only blemish coming in the Michigan women's soccer program's inaugural season in 1994. The Wolverines have not allowed a goal in any game against Indiana since that 3-1 loss on September 11, 1994. The Wolverines reeled off eight straight shutout wins against the Hoosiers from 1995-2002, before tying the Hoosiers 0-0 on October 11, 2003. The Wolverines shutout Indiana again last season on October 10 in Bloomington, Ind., 1-0. The two teams have yet to meet in the Big Ten Conference tournament. Indiana on the internet: www.iuhoosiers.com.
Purdue -- Purdue (5-5-0) had won four straight games before a loss this past Sunday (Sept. 25) to second-ranked Penn State 3-2. The Purdue offense is led by senior forward Lauren Sesselmann. Sesselmann is tied for the team-lead in goals (4) and is the team-leader in points with ten (4-2-10). Junior goalkeeper Lauren Mason has played every minute in net for Purdue this season, posting a 5-5-0 record with 41 saves and a goals-against-average of 1.30. Purdue returns 18 letterwinners and nine starters from last year's squad that finished seventh in the Big Ten with a 10-10-0 record (4-6-0 Big Ten). Boilermaker head coach Rob Klatte is in his eighth year as women's soccer head coach and holds a 72-59-9 record in seven seasons at Purdue. The Wolverines have a 4-1-1 record all-time against the Boilermakers. Michigan won the first three meetings from 1999-2001 by a combined score of 9-2, before dropping a 1-0 decision at Purdue in 2002. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in 2003, with Michigan winning last year's match 1-0 in West Lafayette. The two teams have yet to meet in the Big Ten Conference tournament. Purdue on the internet: www.purduesports.com.
Michigan in the State of Indiana
The Wolverines hold a 22-14-2 mark in the Hoosier state. The Wolverines record by opponent: Butler (4-2-0), Indiana (9-1-1), Notre Dame (2-10-0), Purdue (4-1-1), and Valparaiso (3-0-0).
Dobbyn, Banco Lead Wolverines to Win Over Ohio State
The University of Michigan women's soccer team defeated Ohio State 4-2 on Friday (Sept. 23) at the U-M Soccer Field in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams. Sophomore Melissa Dobbyn (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) netted a career-high two goals and added one assist for a career-high five points, and sophomore Sarah Banco (Medfield, Mass./Noble and Greenough School) tallied the first goal of her career at 40:18. Ohio State's own-goal at 54:41 proved to be the game-winner. Junior Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic) backstopped the Wolverines to earn her fourth victory of the season.
Dobbyn's Two Second-Half Goals Lift U-M Past Oakland
The University of Michigan women's soccer team won a 3-2 decision over Oakland University on Sunday (Sept. 25) at OU Soccer Field. Sophomore forward Melissa Dobbyn netted two goals, including the game-winner at 73:03. Freshman Danelle Underwood (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) added her third goal of the season for the Wolverines. Freshman goalkeeper Madison Gates (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) earned her first career victory, making four saves in the contest.
Dobbyn Earns Big Ten Player of the Week Honors
Melissa Dobbyn of the University of Michigan women's soccer team was named the Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday (Sept. 26). This is the first time Dobbyn has garnered the award in her career. Dobbyn earned the award after a spectacular weekend in which she recorded her first career two-goal game, while also adding one assist in a 4-2 win against Ohio State on Friday (Sept. 23). Dobbyn followed up Friday's performance with her second straight two-goal effort at Oakland (Sept. 25). Her second goal at 73:03 proved to be the game-winner, her first of the season.
Heaton Moving Up in the Michigan Record Books
Therese Heaton inched closer to Ruth Poulin (1994-97) for fifth place in all-time points with her first-half assist against Ohio State (Sept. 23). Heaton needs just four more points to tie Poulin's 69 career points. She is four assists shy of Debbie Flaherty (1994-97) for fifth place in all-time assists. Heaton's 15 career assists trail Flaherty's 19 career helpers.
Coffman Rapid Fire
Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) equaled a career high in shots with six against Ohio State (Sept. 23), which tied for the team-high in the game. She recorded six shots and one goal at Ohio (Sept. 9) earlier this season. Her four shots at Oakland (Sept. 25) were a team-high. She had 10 shots in two games this weekend. Her 27 shots this season are second only to Dobbyn's team-leading 39.
Tuura Making Her Mark
Megan Tuura earned her 23rd career victory against Ohio State (Sept. 23). She needs just three more to tie Jessica Jones (1995-98) for third place in all-time wins with 26. Tuura is second-place all-time with a 1.22 goals-against-average in her career. She trails Suzie Grech's (2000-2003) 1.05 for first-place all-time.
Banco Banks Another First
Sarah Banco netted her first career goal to give the Wolverines the lead at 40:18 against Ohio State (Sept. 23). Banco notched her first career point last Friday (Sept. 16) with an assist against Western Michigan.
Artsis Reaches Milestone
Jamie Artsis (Chatsworth, Calif./Harvard-Westlake School) registered her 50th career shot against Oakland (Sept. 25). She had three shots in the game. Artsis' 20 shots this season rank fourth on the Maize and Blue squad. She has 51 total shots for her career.
Opening the Gates
Madison Gates earned her first career win against Oakland, making four saves and allowing two goals. She improved to 1-1-1 on the season. Gates earned her first career decision in her first career start in a 1-1 tie against the then sixth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies. She made a career-high five saves, allowing a career-low one goal.
Underwood Pacing Freshmen
Danelle Underwood netted her third goal of the year against Ohio State (Sept. 23). Her three goals are the most by any freshman this season. She has notched a goal in two consecutive weekends. She tallied a goal against Western Michgan on September 16.
Spencer Strikes Again
Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton) registered her second assist this season and the seventh of her career at Oakland (Sept. 25). She needs just one more assist to equal her career-best season total in assists with three, which she accomplished last season.
20 or More Equals a Win
The Wolverines fired more than 20 shots in both games this weekend. The Maize and Blue offense has generated more than 20 shots in four games this season, including in three out of the last four games. The Wolverines hold a 4-0 record in games with 20 or more shots. The Wolverines recorded 22 shots against Ohio State (Sept. 23) and 21 shots at Oakland (Sept. 25).
A Bunch of Corner Kicks
The Wolverines earned a season-high 17 corner kicks against Ohio State (Sept. 23), while allowing just five. Michigan's previous high this season came on Sept. 9 against Ohio when the Wolverines earned 13 corner kicks.
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
Wins over Ohio State and Oakland helped Michigan move back into the NSCAA/adidas national rankings, released Tuesday, Sept. 27. The Wolverines made their season debut in the national rankings last week (Sept. 6) with a No. 17 listing. U-M is listed at No. 3 in the association's Great Lakes Regional rankings.
NSCAA/adidas National Rankings (9/27/05)
Rank, School W-L-T Prev 1. North Carolina 10-0-0 1 2. Penn State 10-0-0 2 3. Portland 9-0-0 3 4. UCLA 8-1-0 4 5. Santa Clara 7-1-1 5 6. Notre Dame 9-1-0 6 7. Virginia 7-2-1 13 8. Boston College 7-0-1 9 9. Duke 7-1-1 7 10. Pepperdine 8-0-1 11 11. Wake Forest 5-1-1 8 12. Brigham Young 9-0-1 15 13. Texas A&M 7-1-1 14 14. Florida State 8-1-0 12 15. California 7-2-1 9 16. Connecticut 7-2-1 18 17. Florida 6-2-1 17 18. Marquette 9-1-1 20 19. Cal State Fullerton 7-2-0 25 20. Tennessee 4-4-1 NR 21. West Virginia 4-3-3 23 22. MICHIGAN 5-2-2 NR 23. Cal Poly 6-1-3 19 24. Arizona 4-2-2 22 25. Nebraska 6-3-0 NR
U-M Jumps to No. 20 in Soccer Buzz National Rankings
The Wolverines jumped up two spots to No. 20 in the most recent Soccer Buzz national rankings, released yesterday (Monday, Sept. 26). Michigan is listed at No. 3 in the publication's Great Lakes regional rankings. Four of Michigan's remaining 2005 opponents appear in the magazine's national rankings: Penn State (No. 3), Illinois (No. 21), Wisconsin (No. 26) and Northwestern (No. 28).
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 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 144-85-23 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 home for two Big Ten Conference matchups. On Friday (Oct. 7), the Wolverines face Northwestern at 7 p.m. at U-M Soccer Field. On Sunday (Oct. 9), Michigan will play Wisconsin at Noon at U-M Soccer Field.
Contact: Matt Baumer (734) 763-4423
