U-M Uses Balanced Attack to Dominate Catamounts

Saturday, September 15

Louisville, Ky.

2:00 PM

Michigan

(4-4)

Vermont

(6-2)

Vermont

Michigan

9/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Boxscore

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team exploded for its highest goal output of the season, cruising to a 5-0 win over Vermont Saturday afternoon (Sept. 15) in Louisville's Trager Stadium. Five different Wolverine players tallied goals at U-M claimed its second victory of the weekend to even its season record to 4-4

U-M dominated the play throughout the game, registering season-high marks in both shots and penalty corners. Michigan built up a significant early advantage with four tallies in the first half, including the first collegiate marker for freshman Meredith Way (Newsmanstown, Pa./Warwick HS). Senior captain Lucia Belassi (Paysandu, Uruguay/Liceo #1) extended her point streak to four games with a two assists -- one in each half.

Sophomore Paige Laytos (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) opened the game's scoring at the 7:40 mark on a strong single-handed effort deep in Catamount territory. Laytos dribbled the ball into the circle through a series of Vermont defenders stationed on the left side before finding open space in the middle to fire a low shot and beat UVM goalkeeper Kristen Heavens. The goal proved to be all Michigan would need as Laytos claimed her first tally of the season and the second game-winner of her career.

The Wolverines scored three more goals through the mid-way point of the opening half as freshman Vanessa Sekhon (West Vancouver, British Columbia/Collingwood School), Way and junior Stephanie Hoyer (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek HS) all found the back of the Vermont cage within a narrow 7:36 window. Sekhon carried the ball into the circle on the right side of field before winding up and blasting a low shot to the near corner for her second marker of the season.

After Sekhon's goal, U-M wasted little time before rushing back into the Catamount scoring circle. Heavens stopped a pair of point-blank Wolverine shots, but the ball remained in front of the cage as Way swept in from across the circle to slam it past the sprawled Vermont goalkeeper. Hoyer rounded out the first-half scoring less than five minutes later -- at the 18:07 mark -- on a diving redirection from the top right side of the circle. Belassi initiated the play on the free hit just outside the circle, driving a hard, low ball to the front of the cage. Hoyer, positioned only several yards away, laid out to redirect it between Heaven's legs.

Junior/sophomore Heather Wiley (San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines HS) added a second-half insurance goal -- her second of the season -- at the 64:00 mark afrter one-timing a precision pass from Belassi. The U-M captain controlled the ball high on the right side of the Catamount corner and rifled a deep pass to Wiley, who was camped out on the left post. Wiley got her stick on it and sent a high shot to far upper corner.

Michigan dominated in offensive statistics, outshooting the Catamounts 19-6, including a 12-2 differential in the first half. U-M also outcornered Vermont, 7-2. Junior/sophomore Paige Pickett (Dallas, Texas/Episcopal School of Dallas) registered three saves in the U-M cage en route to her first collegiate shutout, while Heavens made 10 stops on the Wolverines' 15 shots on goal.

The Wolverines open the Big Ten schedule next weekend with a pair of conference meetings on Phyllis Ocker Field. U-M will face Iowa Friday (Sept. 21) at 3 p.m., before wrapping up the homestand Sunday (Sept. 23) against Penn State at noon.

MATCH SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Vermont	0	0	0
Michigan	4	1	5

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Paige Laytos, 7:40 (unassisted)
1st -- U-M, Vanessa Sekhon, 10:31 (unassisted)
1st -- U-M, Meredith Way, 13:39 (unassisted)
1st -- U-M, Stephanie Hoyer, 18:07 (Lucia Belassi)
2nd -- U-M, Heather Wiley, 64:00 (Belassi)

Shots: U-M 19, UVM 6
Saves: U-M 3 (Paige Pickett), UVM 10 (Kristen Heavens)
Defensive Saves: U-M 0, UL 0
Penalty Corners: U-M 7, UVM 2
Penalty Strokes: None