Strong Play Propels Michigan to Victory Over Ball State

Sunday, September 13

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

(2-3)

Ball State

(2-3)

Ball State

Michigan

Strong Play Propels Michigan to Victory Over Ball State

9/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score

Sept. 13, 2009

Boxscore | Photo Gallery

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: #20 Michigan 4, Ball State 0
Records: U-M (2-4), BSU (2-3)
Next U-M Match: Saturday, Sept. 19 -- vs. Syracuse (Louisville, Ky.), 2 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 20-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team controlled play for two halves en route to a decisive 4-0 victory over Ball State on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 13) at Phyllis Ocker Field. Four different Wolverine players tallied goals as U-M surged in the second half of the contest.

Michigan (2-4) posted its greatest offensive statistics of the season, outshooting the Cardinals, 24-4, and outcornering them, 7-2. After failing to convert on several early chances, U-M secured the only lead it needed off a free hit late (25:25) in the opening half. Senior/junior Paige Laytos (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) carried the ball over the arc and cut to the right side of the circle, where she swatted the ball into the near side of the cage and just past the stick of sprawling BSU goalkeeper Tiffany Shifflett.

The Wolverines padded their advantage on back-to-back rockets midway through the second frame. Sophomore Bryn Bain (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional HS) took advantage of another U-M free hit to extend her scoring streak to four straight games on the first tally at the 44:19 mark, stepping inside the circle before blasting a low shot to the far side of the cage. Junior Meredith Way (Lititz, Pa./Warwick HS) connected on a Michigan penalty corner less than 10 minutes later, firing a low screamer to the right side of the cage, where it hit a BSU defender and redirected behind Shifflett. Laytos and junior/sophomore Eileen Brandes (Falmouth, Maine/Falmouth HS) earned assists on the stop and the push, respectively.

Senior Alex Zeringue (Fallbrook, Calif./Union HS) closed out the Wolverines' goal production at the 65:03 mark, accepting a crossing pass from junior/sophomore Soula Ellenikiotis (Saratoga, Calif./St. Francis HS) along the right post and banging it in behind Shifflett for her first tally of the season.

Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Paige Pickett (Dallas, Texas/Episcopal School of Dallas) earned her first shutout of the season with three saves -- two of which came on consecutive point-blank shots in the first half. On the other end, Ball State's Shifflett stopped nine of U-M's 13 shots on goal.

The Wolverines return to the road next weekend, traveling to Louisville, Ky., for a pair of non-conference meetings. U-M will take on Syracuse on Saturday (Sept. 19) at 2 p.m., before returning the next day to face host Louisville at 1 p.m. Both games will be held at the Cardinals' Trager Stadium.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
Ball State	0	0	0
Michigan	1	3	4

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Paige Laytos, 25:25 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Bryn Bain, 44:19 (unassisted)
2nd - U-M, Meredith Way, 53:53 (Laytos, Eileen Brandes)
2nd -- U-M, Alex Zeringue, 65:03 (Soula Ellenikiotis)

Shots: U-M 24, BSU 4
Saves: U-M 3 (Paige Pickett), BSU 9 (Tiffany Shifflett)
Defensive Saves: U-M 0, BSU 0
Penalty Corners: U-M 7, BSU 2

N O T E S

• With the victory, Michigan improved to 13-5 in the all-time series against Ball State. U-M has won the last nine contests, outscoring the Cardinals, 43-9, over the stretch.

• Fifth-year senior Paige Pickett earned her ninth career shutout with today's three-save, 4-0 effort vs. Ball State.

• With four goals this season, sophomore Bryn Bain has already doubled her season total from last year.

• Junior/sophomore Soula Ellenikiotis earned her first collegiate point with an assist on Michigan's final goal of the contest. She is the second Wolverine player to collect her first career point this season, joining junior/sophomore Eileen Brandes, who picked up her second career assist on U-M's third goal.

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On the U-M win ..."I think it was a nice win for us. It's been a really difficult schedule the first couple of weeks. It's nice to have some confidence and to know that all the hard work we've put in is starting to pay off. We had a lot of people in the game, and they got great game experience."

On needing to capitalize on more scoring opportunities ... "There will be games like that. We might be a little overanxious. If anything, they were trying too hard. We've got to relax and be more comfortable with the ball and those scoring chances will come. At halftime, we talked about that -- staying relaxed and knowing that the chances will start to go in."

On this win turning into future wins ... "I hope so, sure. We know we are a good team and that we are working really hard. To see the results is important for our players. Hopefully when we go down to Louisville next week, we can continue this success and make it a good stepping stone."

Senior/Junior Paige Laytos
On her first-half goal ... "Coach kept saying 'pull right,' and I kept pulling left. It finally clicked, and I pulled right. Everyone was confused [during the play]. It was kind of like a cluster. I took the ball, let it go and it went in. It was pretty sweet."

On the importance of today's win ... "It was huge. We felt we were making progress despite the losses to some really great teams. After losing to Maryland, we wanted to come out and set the tone this weekend. Unfortunately, it didn't happen yesterday. I think we were a little anxious up top and uptight. But to finish strong today -- to win 4-0 -- it gives us a lot of confidence in ourselves and finishing was really good for us."

On looking ahead ... "Coach stressed how these games are prep for the Big Ten. I think we can learn a lot and take a lot away from them. Playing with some of the top ranked teams, knowing we can compete with them is going to bode well for us as we play future games."

Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423