Michigan
4-7-4, 1-3-1BIGTEN
Ohio State
6-6-2, 3-2-0BIGTEN
Michigan Blanks Ohio State on Senior Day
10/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Score: Michigan 2, Ohio State 0
Records: U-M (4-7-4, 1-3-2 Big Ten), OSU (6-6-2, 3-2-0 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 17 -- at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.), 7 p.m. CDT
Boxscore | Photo Gallery
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women' soccer team scored two second-half goals to beat Ohio State on Senior Day, 2-0, Sunday afternoon (Oct. 12) on the west practice field of the U-M Soccer Complex. Senior Katie Miler(Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne) tallied the gamewinner and sophomore Amanda Bowery(Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester) added a score of her own for the Wolverines.
With the win, Michigan improves to 4-7-4, besting last year's win total of three and earning its first Big Ten win in 2008.
In the first period, the Buckeyes got out to a strong start, controlling the ball in the offensive third for much of the first 20 minutes, but U-M seemed to calm down and take control of the game over the final 25 minutes of the half. The Maize and Blue controlled possession of the ball and created several scoring chances, but the half ended with the score still tied 0-0.
The halftime break did little to slow the Wolverines attack though as they quickly picked up where they left off in the second 45. The Michigan pressure finally paid off in the 55th minute as Miler connected for her first goal of the season. Freshman Kristen Goncalves(Ann Arbor, Mich./Gabriel Richard Catholic) dribbled the ball up the right side and used a give-and-go with Bowery to beat a defender. Goncalves then sent a cross to the far post where Miler received it and hit a low shot under the diving goalie. Bower, after feeding Goncalves, managed to obstruct the defender on the left side, allowing Miler to get open.
Just five minutes later, Bowery got on the board herself off a great pass from freshman Clare Stachel(Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hill Central). Stachel used her speed to beat the Buckeye defender down the left side and into the box, where she sent in a perfect cross to Bowery, who streaked down the middle and took advantage of an open net for her sixth goal of the year.
Stachel dominated the left side of the field throughout the second half, using her superior speed to gain possession and apply offensive pressure on OSU.
Senior goaltender Madison Gates(Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) and the Michigan back line ensured the two-goal lead would stand as they shut down the Ohio State attack. Gates had five saves on the day with just one in the second half as senior Skylar Andrews(Dallas, Texas/Plano West Senior) and the U-M defense allowed the Buckeyes few open shots.
With their home schedule finished the Wolverines will hit the road for the final four games of the regular season. Michigan will travel to Madison, Wis., on Friday night (Oct. 17) to play the University of Wisconsin. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CDT.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | F |
| Ohio State | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- U-M, Katie Miler, 54:25 (Kristen Goncalves)
2nd -- U-M, Amanda Bowery, 59:27 (Clare Stachel)
Shots: U-M 13, OSU 15
Shots on Goal: U-M 6, OSU 5
Saves: U-M 5 (Madison Gates), OSU 4 (Lauren Robertson 2; Katie Baumgardner 2)
Corner Kicks: U-M 1, OSU 5
Fouls: U-M 11, OSU 19
Cards: OSU, Team, 34:41 (Yellow); U-M, Team, 79:18 (Yellow)
N O T E S
Seniors Skylar Andrews(Dallas, Texas/Plano West Senior), Madison Gates(Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker), Katie Miler(Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne), Kristin Thomas(Centennial, Colo./Cherry Creek) and Danelle Underwood(Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) played in their final home game in the Maize and Blue. The group was 16-12-9 when playing in friendly confines.
Madison Gates notched her fourth win of the season to set a new single-season career high in victories. She earned three last season.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Greg Ryan
On his feelings at halftime... "I actually felt really good after the first half because the last 20 minutes of the first half we started to play really well. We started to play the way I thought we could beat Ohio State, which was to move the ball quickly, keep possession and use our speed to spread them out and get behind them which is how Clare Stachel and Kristen Goncalves and Amanda Bowery were able to open them up. So I felt good at halftime because I could see what was coming."
On the improved attack... "We talked the other day about attacking players not taking the initiative to go to the goal hard and I think they did a better job of that today. We had Clare Stachel just running by girls, Natalie Horner turning on people in the box and shooting and Kristen Goncalves and Amanda Bowery making those good runs behind defenses. That was the difference in the game today."
On the seniors... "The seniors have meant everything. We had to transform this team both on and off the field. They have helped us become a true team where everyone is supporting each other all the time. The chemistry and camaraderie on this team is a direct result of them bringing everyone together so I thank them for that and you know they can play soccer too."
U-M Senior Midfielder Katie Miler
On the win... "Its huge, we have been playing well but not getting the results we wanted so to be able to finally come out and play a great game against our arch nemesis and score a few goals and turn it around heading into a big Big Ten weekend for us is great."
On her goal... "We kind of switched up our formation a little so I could attack more. We have been practicing that play since the beginning of the season and it finally came together for us."
U-M Freshman Forward Kristen Goncalves
On the team's improvement after the first 20 minutes... "I think overall we just settled down and started to play our game. We started working together and playing together instead of rushing through everything."
Contact: Ryan Sosin, Joe Arancio (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Miler, Katie (1)
Assisted By: Goncalves, Kristen
54:25
Bowery, Amanda (6)
Assisted By: Stachel, Clare
59:27
