Michigan
6-5-4, 2-2-2Big Ten
Iowa
5-9-1, 0-6-0Big Ten
Offensive Surge Gives Michigan Vital Victory Over Iowa
10/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Melissa Dobbyn's (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) nine-shot effort led the offensive surge as the University of Michigan women's soccer team improved to .500 (2-2-2) in Big Ten play, downing Iowa 2-1 Friday night (Oct. 13) at the U-M Soccer Field. Katie Miler (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington and Kilbourne) and Katie Bohard (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) each scored, with Dobbyn adding the assist on Miler's game-winner in the 74th minute. The Maize and Blue outshot Iowa 25-9 on a blustery evening.
Michigan controlled possession all night with Dobbyn and Bohard combining to generate the offensive chances in the first half. After Dobbyn fired a shot just over the crossbar in the 22nd minute, Bohard took advantage of an Iowa giveaway, sending a through-ball to Dobbyn, who trickled a low shot inches wide of the post.
The two forwards were able to redeem themselves minutes later when Bohard raced down the right flank and ripped a cross low into the 18-yard box. Dobbyn's pressure on an Iowa defender allowed the ball to bounce through the penalty area, off the far post and in, giving U-M a 1-0 lead at 35:56.
Lindsey Cottrell (Kalamazoo, Mich./Central) squelched the Hawkeyes' best chance in the first frame when she defended a one-on-one, through-ball opportunity. Michigan went into halftime up just one goal despite a 10-3 shot advantage.
The Wolverines opened the second half with a glorious opportunity in the 51st minute. Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) ran onto a breakaway feed over the top and slammed a rocket off the crossbar from just inside the 18-yard box. Bohard nearly added to the lead three minutes later on a restart kick by Coffman, but she could not get a foot on the service.
Michigan finally made a chance count in the 74th minute, extending the lead to 2-0. Dobbyn dribbled through the midfield and lofted a pass over the top of the Hawkeye defense to a streaking Miler, who bent her shot low into the right corner of the net for the eventual game-winner.
Iowa halved the lead minutes later at 77:41. A Hawkeye set piece by Melisa Kaetterhenry sailed into the middle of the box to Kelsey Shaw, who headed a bouncer low into the net to move the score to 2-1.
U-M looked to tally the insurance marker in the 83rd minute with a flurry of offense in the box. Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton) picked up a loose ball in front of the Iowa net and fired a shot that was blocked. Lindsey MacDonald (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) one-timed the rebound low into the Iowa goalkeeper.
After defending a Hawkeye corner, Michigan counterattacked as Spencer juked a defender, setting up a stellar left-footed chance, but her shot -- headed for the upper corner -- skidded off the top of the crossbar. The U-M defense stayed tough in the final minutes to back the Wolverines to a 2-1 victory.
Michigan returns to the field to take on No. 24 Illinois on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 15, 1 p.m.) for the final home contest of the season at the U-M Soccer Field. A Senior Day presentation will take place prior to kickoff.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Iowa | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Katie Bohard, 35:56 (unassisted)
1st -- U-M, Katie Miler, 73:59 (Melissa Dobbyn)
2nd -- Iowa, Kelsey Shaw, 77:41 (Melisa Kaetterhenry)
Shots: U-M 25, Iowa 9
Shots on Goal: U-M 4, Iowa 3
Saves: U-M 2 (Megan Tuura), Iowa 3 (Ali Becker)
Corner Kicks: U-M 1, Iowa 1
Fouls: U-M 15, Iowa 14
Cards: None.
Contact: Matt Baumer (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Bohard, Katie (2)
GOAL by MICH Bohard, Katie (FIRST GOAL), goal number 2 for season.
35:56
Miler, Katie (2)
Assisted By: Melissa Dobbyn
13 through ball to 19, 19 bender low
73:59
Kelsey Shaw (2)
Assisted By: Melisa Kaetterhenry
11 set piece cross to 20, 20 header low
77:41
