Wolverines Surge Past Stanford in Home Opener

Friday, September 5

Ann Arbor, Mich.

5:00 PM

Michigan

(1-2)

Stanford

(0-3)

Stanford

Michigan

9/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Ocker Field)
Event: Michigan/Cardinal Invitational
Score: #9 Michigan 5, Stanford 1
Records: U-M (1-2),STAN (0-3)
Next U-M Match: Sunday, Sept. 7 -- vs. No. 2 Maryland at Michigan/Cardinal Invitational (Phyllis Ocker Field), 1 p.m.

Boxscore | Photo Gallery | Notes & Quotes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team picked up its first win of the 2008 campaign in its home opener, cruising past Stanford 5-1 on Friday evening (Sept. 5) in front of 492 fans at Phyllis Ocker Field. Four different Wolverine players tallied goals in the effort, including three players that claimed first career markers.

Junior forward Kelly Fitzpatrick(Hummelstown, Pa./Palmyra Area HS) headlined Michigan's offense with a pair of goals -- one in each half -- to net her fourth career multi-goal performance. Sophomore forward Alicia Mayer(Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove HS) and senior back Sarah Wilhite(Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey HS) also posted multiple points as Mayer contributed to the Wolverines' first two tallies with a goal and an assist and Wilhite recorded a pair of helpers.

Michigan controlled the early portion of the game but could not capitalize in the Cardinal defensive third until late in the opening half. Mayer created her own opportunity to put the Wolverines on the board at the 23:38 mark. Wilhite threaded a pass through the legs of a Stanford defender to Mayer who carried it into the circle down the right side of the field. As Cardinal goalkeeper Beth Ridley stepped out to challenge, Mayer knocked the ball into the far opposite corner to earn her first collegiate goal.

Mayer did a fair share of the work on Michigan's next goal less than five minutes later, chasing down a long forward pass in the Stanford circle before dishing a goal-mouth feed to Fitzpatrick who dove to get her stick on it and redirect the ball past Ridley.

Stanford scored on its first significant opportunity of the game to cut the U-M lead to one at halftime. Rachel Monzentar gained control of the ball deep in the Wolverine circle and passed it to Stephanie Byrne camped out on the right post. Bryne then redirected the ball through the legs of senior/junior goalkeeper Paige Pickett(Dallas, Texas/Episcopal School of Dallas).

The Wolverines responded early in the second half, wasting little time before cushioning their lead with a pair of goals within the opening eight minutes of the frame. Fitzpatrick registered her second marker of the contest on a solo effort in the Stanford circle. With possession of the ball in front of the cage, Fitzpatrick's feet became tangled and as she started to fall, she pushed the ball past Ridley.

Senior back Michaela McDermott(Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights HS) posted her first collegiate tally just two minutes later, successfully converting on the Wolverines' first penalty-corner opportunity of the half. The U-M captain accepted the push on the right side of the circle and blasted a shot that skipped on the turf and found the board in the back of the cage.

Sophomore/freshman midfielder Katie Adams(Hudson, Ohio/Hudson HS) wrapped up the Wolverines' scoring with her first collegiate goal at the 60:42 mark. With a Stanford player running alongside her, senior forward Stephanie Hoyer(Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek HS) carried the ball into the circle and laid a perfect drop pass to Adams at the top of the circle. Adams then fired a shot off the stick of a Cardinal defender and past Ridley.

U-M outshot the Cardinal 12-6 and outcornered its opponent 5-2. Pickett earned one save in the U-M cage, sprawling out to stop a point-blank penalty-corner chance in the second half, while Ridley stopped five of Michigan's 10 shots on goal.

Michigan will return to action on Sunday (Sept. 7) with a non-conference slate against No. 2 Maryland. The match is slated for a 1 p.m. start at Ocker Field.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
Stanford	1	0	1
Michigan	2	3	5

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Alicia Mayer, 23:38 (Sarah Wilhite)
1st -- U-M, Kelly Fitzpatrick, 28:18 (Mayer)
1st -- STAN, Stephanie Byrne, 30:42 (Rachel Mozenter)
2nd -- U-M, Fitzpatrick, 40:13 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Michala McDermott, 42:25 (Wilhite)
2nd -- U-M, Katie Adams, 60:42 (Stephanie Hoyer)

Shots: U-M 12, STAN 6
Saves: U-M1 (Paige Pickett), STAN5 (Beth Ridley 5, Alessandra Moss 0)
Defensive Saves: U-M 1, STAN 5
Penalty Corners: U-M 5, STAN 2

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423