Wolverines Ride Quick Strike into NCAA Sweet 16

Friday, November 22

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:00 PM

Michigan

17-3-1

Illinois State

14-7-1

Illinois State

Michigan

11/22/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Brad Rudner

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Event: NCAA Tournament (Second Round)
Score: #11 Michigan 3, Illinois State 0
Records: U-M (17-3-1), ISU (14-7-1)
Attendance: 930
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 24 -- vs. Notre Dame (U-M Soccer Stadium), 1 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior Nkem Ezurike (Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia/Sackville) of the No. 11-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team became the program's career leader in points and was one of three goal-scorers, helping the Wolverines reach the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second straight season in a 3-0 victory over Illinois State in the second round on Friday (Nov. 22) at U-M Soccer Stadium.

Freshman Madisson Lewis (Canton, Mich./Plymouth) and fifth-year senior Holly Hein (Castaic, Calif./West Ranch) also scored goals, while freshman Taylor Bucklin (Greenwich, Conn./Brookfield) made three saves for her 11th shutout of the season, tying a single-season record.

Like last week, U-M started strong, getting a goal within the first three minutes of the match. Sophomore Christina Ordonez (Elmhurst, Ill./York) took the ball to the end line and crossed the ball to the far post to Lewis, who put a head on the ball to the near post, over the head of Illinois State goalkeeper Aryn Newsom and into the side netting to give U-M the 1-0 lead. The Wolverines peppered Illinois State with six shots on goal during the opening frame, leading in shots by a 13-4 margin.

Ezurike added to Michigan's lead less than five minutes into the second half, scoring an improbable goal close to the end line. She received a through ball from senior Meghan Toohey (Philadelphia, Pa./Phil-Mont Christian) and took it toward the far post. A few feet from the end line, Ezurike stopped, turned to her right towards the goal and launched a left-footed strike on a difficult angle into the upper netting to give Michigan the 2-0 lead.

Thirteen minutes later, Hein added an insurance goal off a corner kick. Senior Shelina Zadorsky (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) took the corner on the near side and placed perfect service into the box. The ball might have gone into the net anyway, but Hein got a header on it for good measure, putting U-M up 3-0 with less than 30 minutes to play. The defense kept the pressure off Bucklin the remainder of the second half, limiting the Redbirds to shots from distance.

The Wolverines return to U-M Soccer Stadium for the third round on Sunday (Nov. 24) against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish beat Western Michigan, 1-0, earlier in the day to advance. Sunday's match will begin at 1 p.m.

U-M is 2-12-1 all-time against Notre Dame. The two teams have not faced each other since Aug. 22, 2008, a 7-0 loss in South Bend, Ind., in what was Greg Ryan's first match as Michigan head coach. They have played three times in the NCAA Tournament, with Michigan going 1-2 in those matches. The last time they met in the NCAA Tournament was 2002 (second round), with Michigan winning, 1-0, in South Bend.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
Illinois State	0	0	0
Michigan	1	2	3

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Madisson Lewis, 2:39 (Christina Ordonez)
2nd -- U-M, Nkem Ezurike, 49:04 (Meghan Toohey)
2nd -- U-M, Holly Hein, 62:14 (Shelina Zadorsky)

Shots: U-M 33, ISU 9
Shots on Goal: U-M 13, ISU 3
Saves: U-M 3 (Taylor Bucklin), ISU 10 (Aryn Newsom)
Corner Kicks: U-M 6, ISU 2
Cards: None

NOTES

• Tonight's matchup was the first between the two schools.

• U-M advances to the third round (Sweet 16) of the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history and in back-to-back years for the second time ever (also: 2002-03).

• With her second-half goal, Nkem Ezurike became the program's all-time leader in points (117). She surpassed Abby Crumpton (116, 1999-2002). Ironically, Crumpton set the record back on Nov. 17, 2002, vs. Miami (Ohio), the first and only other time U-M hosted a second-round match in the NCAA Tournament.

• Taylor Bucklin recorded her 11th shutout of the season, tying Haley Kopmeyer (2012) and Suzie Grech (2001) for the single-season record.

• Nkem Ezurike also improved on her program record for most career goals in the NCAA Tournament. She now has five goals all-time in the NCAA Tournament.

• The win over Illinois State is Michigan's 17th victory of the season, tied for the second-most number of wins in a single season in program history. It had 17 in 1999 and 18 (the record) in 1997.

• Michigan is now 13-9-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including a 9-0 mark in those matches played in Ann Arbor.

• The last time U-M had back-to-back shutouts in the NCAA Tournament was 2003 (1-0 vs. Oakland, 1-0 vs. Notre Dame).

• The Wolverines are now unbeaten in their last 19 matches at U-M Soccer Stadium vs. non-conference opponents (18-0-1). Their last loss to a non-Big Ten foe came Aug. 19, 2011, to Akron (1-0). U-M is 11-1-1 at U-M Soccer Stadium this season and 21-2-2 since the start of last season at the venue.

• The Wolverines now have 134 points on the season (43 G, 48 A), the most since 2002 (141).

• The last time U-M attempted more than 30 shots in a match was Sept. 19, 2010, vs. Youngstown State (34). U-M had 33 vs. Illinois State on Friday.

• The Wolverines are now 15-0 this season when scoring the first goal of the match and 6-0 when scoring more than three goals. U-M has scored multiple goals in 15 of its 17 wins.

• Michigan handed Illinois State its first loss in two months. The Redbirds were (9-0-1) in their last 10 matches, not losing since Sept. 22 at Kansas (2-0).

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Greg Ryan
Opening statement ... "We've had a lot of great games this year and certain parts of our game have been outstanding. This was probably the most complete game we've played all year long. Taylor was rock solid on defense and they were giving away nothing to a team that scored a ton of goals this year. Our midfield was dynamic in movement to help us get in behind their defense. So many players tonight contributed to our attacking. Overall, it was a fantastic effort for the whole team."

On being able to host the second weekend ... "It's fantastic for us. When Western Michigan upset Marquette, it allowed for us to host these two games. We're just excited to be at home in front of our home fans. They've been fantastic in supporting the team and were again tonight. I think for the program and the players, it's special for them to be able to play at their own place this late in the season."

On scoring fast in each half ... "It's like Holly said. This team has done a great job of coming out and just going for it. We're not waiting around. We're not waiting for Nkem to do it. In the past, it always just seemed like we were waiting for Nkem. We all have to take that responsibility to get to goal and score and I think that's what you saw tonight."

On coaching this team ... "I'm very fortunate to be able to do what I love most and that's coach. As a coach, you have good days and bad days. Every day I get to go out on the training field and work with players like Holly, Nkem and Shelina. The most rewarding thing is that they've done so well and they're such a great group of people. I would coach this group of people for the rest of my life. I would never make another change. I'd keep these guys. That's the most rewarding thing."

U-M Fifth-Year Senior Holly Hein
On the team's gameplan vs. Illinois State ... "I think we wanted to come out and attack against them. We've been emphasizing the fact that we want to score in the first five minutes, first ten minutes and really not give them anything to start with. In both halves, we scored in the first five minutes. You can't be content. You have to keep going at them. I think it was an awesome performance again by our front-runners."

On winning the first and second balls and 50/50 balls ... "It's always key for us to win the first and second ball. We wanted to work hard tonight and it showed. Our midfield was awesome. The first ball fell and they were on top of the second ball every time. Credit to them. They were winning battles all over the field."

U-M Senior Nkem Ezurike
On the goal ... "It was a good one. Was a great pass by Toohey. I turned it and hit. It's also great because we were only up one goal at that point, so getting another one is helpful for the team. As for the record, haven't really thought about it. Later on, I'll look back on it and it'll be awesome."

On the physicality and getting fouled ... "You can't think about it. It's part of the game. You're going to get fouled. I use it as motivation. I keep going and if they foul, we're going to get a free kick. Something comes out of it either way."

On Madisson Lewis ... "She's just been awesome the whole year. She came on strong in the preseason and has improved throughout. She's a force to be reckoned with. She can beat any defender on down the line and inside. All of our attacking players are dangerous. You can't focus on one person. Someone has to step up and score goals."