Weekly Release #6
9/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 21 -- vs. Oakland (U-M Soccer Field), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 24 -- at Penn State (State College, Pa.), Noon
Friday, Sept. 29 -- vs. Purdue (U-M Soccer Field), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 1 -- vs. Indiana (U-M Soccer Field), 1 p.m.
This Week
The University of Michigan women's soccer team (4-2-2, 0-0 Big Ten) is slated to play a Thursday (Sept. 21) match against Oakland University at 7 p.m. at the U-M Soccer Field. Thursday is also U-M Student Club Night.
The Wolverines then open the Big Ten schedule as they travel to State College, Pa., to take on No. 9-ranked Penn State at Jeffrey Field. The match against Nittany Lions has a start time of noon EDT.
One More Televised Match for Maize and Blue
Comcast will televise the Wolverines' home match against Indiana (Oct. 1, 1 p.m.) live on Comcast Local.
Game Highlights Available
Michigan All-Access will provide highlights for Michigan's upcoming game against Oakland (Sept. 21). Highlights from Friday's contest with Loyola Marymount are available for free on Michigan All-Access, which can be accessed via the link on the mgoblue.com main page. Subscription is required for all remaining games.
Scouting the Opponents
Oakland -- The Grizzlies (2-6-0) are coming off a 1-1 weekend in which they defeated Western Michigan 3-2 in overtime and fell 3-2 to Loyola Marymount. Oakland returns 17 letterwinners and eight starters from last season's team that went 9-8-1 and finished in a tie for first in the Mid-Con conference with a 4-2-0 mark. Kristi Tomczyk (3 g, 1 a) and Kristi Evans (3 g, 2 game-winners) head the OU offense with Kim Herbst guarding goal. Herbst has made 47 saves in over 630 minutes of action this season. The Grizzlies are coached by Nick O'Shea, who is in his 13th season at the helm of the program, where he has compiled a 145-68-10 career record. Michigan leads the all-time series with a 6-2-1 mark. U-M went 5-0-1 in the first six meetings with Oakland and won last season's meeting 3-2 at Oakland after falling the previous two meetings, 1-0. Oakland on the Internet: www.ougrizzlies.com.
Penn State -- The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions (4-2-2) are on a season-best three-game winning streak and are led by Katie Schoepfer (3 g, 2 a) and Aubrey Aden-Buie (3 g, 1 a). Alyssa Naeher backstops the defense as she has posted 31 saves and a 1.18 GAA. Penn State advanced to the College Cup last season and fell to eventual national champion Portland in the semifinals in penalty kicks. The Nittany Lions did not lose a game last season, finishing with a 23-0-2 record. PSU returns 17 letterwinners and seven starters from that squad. Paula Wilkins heads the program. She has earned an impressive 101-14-8 mark through five seasons at Penn State. The Wolverines hold a 4-10-4 record all-time against PSU, including winning their last Big Ten Championship in a 4-2 win over the Lions in 1999. Penn State defeated Michigan 4-2 in last season's regular-season meeting before U-M advanced past the undefeated and top-ranked Nittany Lions in a shootout in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament in Ann Arbor. Michigan was 24 seconds away from victory before Tiffany Weimer tied the game at 3-3 on a penalty kick to send the game into overtime and a shootout. The Wolverines last defeated Penn State in 2002, 4-0, as the Nittany Lions hold a four-game unbeaten streak in the series entering Sunday's match. Penn State on the Internet: www.gopsusports.com.
U-M All-Time vs. Mid-Continent Conference
The Wolverines have faced just two teams all-time against the Mid-Continent Conference, but own a 9-2-1 record in games versus the Mid-Con. Michigan holds an undefeated (3-0-0) record against Valparaiso and a 6-2-1 mark against Oakland.
Michigan in Big Ten Openers
The Wolverines hold a 6-5-1 record all-time in Big Ten Conference openers. U-M is currently boasting a four-game unbeaten streak in such contests and has won the last two conference-opening matches, including a 4-2 romping of Ohio State to start last season's Big Ten slate.
Tuura, Wolverines Remain Atop Big Ten In 'D'
Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic) has posted a 0.29 GAA through eight games this season to lead the Big Ten in the category. The Wolverines as a team continue to lead the conference with a team goals-against average of 0.49.
Wolverines Earn Second Straight .500 Weekend
Michigan improved to 4-1-2 on Friday (Sept. 15) against Loyola Marymount as U-M blanked the Lions 1-0 at the U-M Soccer Field. Katie Bohard (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) scored her first career goal on her birthday and Megan Tuura made one save to backstop the Wolverines. Bohard's tally came on her first career attempt on goal.
The Wolverines battled hard against top-ranked Notre Dame on Sunday (Sept. 17), but two second-half scores by No. 1-ranked Notre Dame led to a 2-0 loss. Michigan responded to Notre Dame's first tally in the 57th minute, but Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) could not quite put home a breakaway chance as the Wolverines fell for just the second time (4-2-2) this season.
Bohard Becomes Eighth Player to Earn Point in 2006
The Wolverines have scored six goals in eight games with eight players aiding the scores. Melissa Dobbyn (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) has scored twice and added two assists to lead the attack, with Judy Coffman pitching in a game-winner for her only goal. Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton), Katie Bohard and Katie Miler (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) have also tallied scores. Megan Tuura, Emily Kalmbach (Coto de Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic), Coffman and Danelle Underwood (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) have all chipped in assists.
Defense Continues to Stifle Opponents in First Half
Through eight games this season and 10 regular-season games dating back to last season, Michigan has not allowed a first-half score. The last goal allowed in the beginning frame came at 29:43 by Penn State's Sheree Gray on October 21, 2005.
The Wolverines also set the program record for goals allowed through eight games to start a season as U-M has allowed just four through eight contests.
Spencer Climbs Up All-Time List
Katelin Spencer, who has started all 76 games played in her career, will move into sole possession of ninth place in all-time games started at the end of this weekend. Michele Pesiri (1999-2002) currently holds the ninth spot with 77 career games started. Andrea Kayal (1999-2002), Mari Hoff (1996-99), and Emily Schmitt (1996-99) are next on the list as each is tied for sixth with 81 career games started.
Dobbyn One Point from Eighth Place in Career Points, Four from Seventh
Melissa Dobbyn assisted on Michigan's lone goal this weekend against Loyola Marymount (Sept. 15), which placed her in a tie with Stephanie Chavez (2000-03) and Emily Schmitt (1996-99) for eighth place all-time in career points with 59. Dobbyn is within reach of Debbie Flaherty's (1994-97) 61 career points for seventh place all-time. The junior striker has tallied 23 goals and 13 helpers in her two-plus year career.
Other Notes
Michigan has played into the half scoreless in six out of eight games this season. The Wolverines' two first-half scores have come on game-winners by Katie Miler (at Dayton) and Katie Bohard (vs. Loyola Marymount). Both goals were also first career scores.
Juniors Jamie Artsis and Melissa Dobbyn each played in her 50th career game against Loyola Marymount on Friday night (Sept. 15). Each athlete has started all but one game in her career.
Michigan allowed multiple goals in a game for the first time this season against Notre Dame on Sunday (Sept. 17).
Three Upcoming Michigan Opponents Ranked Nationally
Michigan ranks eighth in the NSCAA/adidas Great Lakes Region Poll released Tuesday (Sept. 19). Three future Wolverines' opponents are ranked in the latest NCSAA/adidas National Poll: Penn State (No. 9), Illinois (No. 19) and Purdue (No. 25).
2006 NSCAA/adidas National Rankings (9/19/06)
RANK, SCHOOL W-L-T PREV 1. Notre Dame 8-0-0 1 2. Florida State 6-0-0 2 3. UCLA 6-1-0 4 4. North Carolina 8-1-0 5 5. Santa Clara 6-2-0 2 6. West Virginia 7-1-0 7 7. Portland 5-2-0 8 8. Tennessee 4-2-1 10 9. Penn State 4-2-2 9 10. Wake Forest 8-1-0 11 11. Colorado 5-1-1 14 12. Boston College 6-2-1 24 13. Texas A&M 3-3-1 6 14. Cal State Fullerton 4-2-1 RV 15. Connecticut 4-3-1 13 16. Texas 6-2-0 23 17. Auburn 6-1-0 20 18. William & Mary 6-1-1 18 19. Illinois 4-4-0 18 20. California 5-1-2 15 21. Virginia 5-2-1 21 22. Missouri 7-1-0 16 23. BYU 6-1-0 RV 24. Florida 4-3-1 RV 25. Purdue 7-1-2 RV
U-M Falls to Ninth in Soccer Buzz Great Lakes Region Ranking
Despite defeating Loyola Marymount 1-0 on Friday (Sept. 15) and playing No. 1-ranked Notre Dame tough, the Wolverines still fell down two spots in the Soccer Buzz Great Lakes Region poll released Monday (Sept. 18). The following future U-M opponents rank in the poll: Purdue (No. 2), Ohio State (No. 4), Illinois (No. 5), Minnesota (No. 6), Wisconsin (No. 12) and Indiana (No. 15).
On the Horizon ...
U-M hosts two conference matches next week at the U-M Soccer Field. Michigan will take on No. 25-ranked Purdue on Friday (Sept. 29) at 7 p.m. EDT and Indiana on Sunday (Oct. 1) at 1 p.m. The IU contest is scheduled to be shown live on Comcast Local.
Contact: Matt Baumer (734) 763-4423
