Michigan
(0-4)
Providence
(3-0)
Strong Second Half Not Enough in Loss at Providence
9/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Site:Â Providence, R.I. (Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex)
Score: Providence 2, #8 Michigan 1
Records:Â U-M (0-4), Providence (3-0)
Next U-M Match:Â Wednesday, Sept. 6 -- vs. Kent State (Phyllis Ocker Field), 3 p.m.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team dropped its fourth straight game, losing 2-1 to Providence on Sunday (Sept. 3) at the Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
Providence struck quickly in the first half, scoring on its first shot of the contest at the 2:41 mark to take the early initial lead. From her position deep in the U-M striking circle, the Friars' Abby Maguire got her stick on a hard crossing pass from teammate Emily Evans to redirect the ball past sophomore/freshman goalkeeper Paige Pickett (Dallas, Texas/Episcopal School of Dallas).
The Wolverines responded with an offensive attack of their own, stealing away the momentum for the next several minutes with a penalty corner opportunity and quick back-to-back shots. Freshman Kelly Fitzpatrick (Hummelstown, Pa./Palmyra Area HS) knotted up the score at one goal apiece with her first collegiate marker at the 11:20 mark. Senior captain Mary Fox (St. Louis, Mo./Cor Jesu Academy) earned an assist on the play.
The Friars took the lead for good just nine minutes later after successfully converting a penalty corner opportunity at 20:03. Providence striker Lauren Sickel scored on the direct shot, and Melissa McGow and Emily Ewens earned assists for the push and stop, respectively.
U-M dominated the second half, outshooting the Friars 8-0 and outcornering them 10-0 in the frame, but could not find the back of the Providence cage. The Wolverines swarmed around the opposing striking circle over the final several minutes and earned a penalty corner as time expired, but senior captain Kara Lentz's (Manchester, Mass./St. Paul's School) direct shot was knocked down by Friar goalkeeper Rachael Chamberlain.
It marked the second straight game in which the Wolverines outshot (13-10) and outcornered (12-5) their opposition but could not capitalize on their opportunities. Pickett earned five saves in the U-M cage, while Chamberlain made eight stops to keep her team undefeated on the season.
Michigan will kick off the home portion of its 2006 season on Wednesday (Sept. 6) when they host Kent State in a 3 p.m. meeting at Phyllis Ocker Field.
MATCH SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Providence | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- PC, Abby Maguire, 2:41 (Emily Ewens)
1st -- U-M, Kelly Fitzpatrick, 11:20 (Mary Fox)
1st -- PC, Lauren Sickel, 20:03 (Ewens)
Shots: U-M 13, PC 10
Saves: U-M 5 (Paige Pickett), PC 8 (Rachael Chamberlain)
Defensive Saves: U-M 1, PC 0
Penalty Corners: U-M 12, PC 5
Penalty Strokes: None
Team Stats
MAGUIRE, Abby
Assisted By: EWENS, Emily
GOAL by PC EWENS, Emily (FIRST GOAL), Assist by EWENS, Emily.
2:41
Fitzpatrick, Kelly
Assisted By: Fox, Mary
GOAL by MICH Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Assist by Fox, Mary.
11:20
SICKEL, Lauren
Assisted By: EWENS, Emily , McGOW, Melissa
GOAL by PC SICKEL, Lauren, Assist by EWENS, Emily and McGOW, Melissa.
20:03
