Way's Hat Trick Leads U-M Past Northwestern

Saturday, September 27

Ann Arbor, Mich.

11:00 AM

Michigan

(4-6, 1-0Big Ten)

Northwestern

(5-5, 0-1Big Ten)

Northwestern

Michigan

9/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: #19 Michigan 3, Northwestern 0
Records: U-M (4-6, 1-0 Big Ten), Northwestern (5-5, 0-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Match: Friday, Oct. 3 -- vs. Temple (Ann Arbor, Mich.),4 p.m.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore Meredith Way(Newmanstown, Pa./Warwick HS)collected her second hat trick of the season to leadthe No. 19-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team to a 3-0 victory over Northwestern in its Big Ten Conference opener on Saturday morning (Sept. 27) at Phyllis Ocker Field.

Michigan posted significant advantages in the shot and penalty-corner categories, outshooting the Wildcats 20-4, including a 13-2 differential in the second half, while outcornering them 11-3 in the game and 7-1 in the second half. All three of Way's markers came on penalty-corner conversions as the Wolverine striker netted two on the direct shot. The three-goal performance marked the second multi-goal effort of Way's career and the first time in four seasons that a Wolverine player registered a pair of hat tricks in one season.

Way, who upped her season total to nine goals, scored the only goal Michigan needed at the 9:04 mark after successfully converting on U-M's second penalty-corner opportunity of the contest. Way netted the direct shot as her low blast hit a Wildcat defender's stick near the left post and redirected high past NU goalkeeper Emily Kyle. Senior/junior Heather Wiley(San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines HS) and senior captain Sarah Wilhite(Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey HS) earned assists with the stop and the push, respectively. The helper extended Wilhite's point streak to nine straight matches.

With the advantage, the Wolverines picked up the pace in the second half and peppered Kyle with a barrage of shots early in the frame before eventually breaking through at the 58:11 mark in the aftermath of a broken corner opportunity. Way was unable to get the direct shot off but battled to maintain possession in the middle of the circle, emerging from the scramble to fire a low shot past the sprawling Wildcat goalkeeper.

Michigan converted again on its next and final penalty-corner opportunity, cushioning its lead to three goals in the final minute of regulation play. Way again converted on the direct shot, rocketing a hard, low ball that fluttered just enough to sneak above a laid-out Kyle at the 69:07 mark. Wiley and Wilhite picked up assists on the goal to also claim multi-assist games.

Sophomore/freshman Christi Barwick(San Diego, Calif./Torrey Pines HS) and senior/junior Paige Pickett(Dallas, Texas/Episcopal School of Dallas) split time in the Wolverine cage, earning a pair of saves eachto claim the combined shutout -- Michigan's second of the season. On the other end of the field, the Wildcats' Kyle stopped 10 of the Wolverines' 13 shots on goal.

Michigan will return to competition next weekend with a pair of games at Ocker Field. U-M will face Temple at 4 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 3) before wrapping its homestand against conference rival Ohio State at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 5). The Michigan/Bear Invitational will close play tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 28) with a 1 p.m. neutral-site meeting between California and Northwestern at Ocker Field.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
Northwestern	0	0	0
Michigan	1	2	3

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Meredith Way, 9:04 (Heather Wiley, Sarah Wilhite)
2nd -- U-M, Way, 58:11 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Way, 69:07 (Wiley, Wilhite)

Shots: U-M 20, NW 4
Saves: U-M4 (Christi Barwick 2, Paige Pickett 2), NW10 (Emily Kyle)
Defensive Saves: U-M 0, NW 0
Penalty Corners: U-M 11, NW 3

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423