Wolverines Shut Out Rutgers in Big Ten Tournament Opener

Thursday, November 6

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

(13-6)

Rutgers

(9-10)

Rutgers

Michigan

Wolverines Shut Out Rutgers in Big Ten Tournament Opener

11/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

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By: Leah Howard

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (Quarterfinals)
Score: #12 Michigan 3, Rutgers 0
Records: U-M (13-6), Rutgers (9-10)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Nov. 7 -- vs. Northwestern - Big Ten Tournament (Phyllis Ocker Field), 3:45 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Shaking off a sluggish start, the No. 12 University of Michigan field hockey team dominated the second half and cruised to a 3-0 shutout victory over Rutgers in the Big Ten Conference Tournament quarterfinals Thursday afternoon (Nov. 6) at Phyllis Ocker Field.

Fifth-year senior Leslie Smith scored two goals in the opening 16 minutes of the second frame, finally breaking through on the Wolverines' 11th corner opportunity of the contest. Smith scored on the direct shot at the 46:55 mark to put U-M on the board, accepting a pass from freshman stopper Veerle Lubbers and one-timing a shot into the nearside left corner. Fifth-year senior Ainsley McCallister also earned an assist -- her team-leading 18th of the season --on the insert.

The No. 2-seeded Wolverines struck less than five minutes later, at 50:24, converting the team's first penalty-stroke opportunity of the season. Freshman Carly Bennett was shoved from behind in front of the Rutgers cage to draw the stroke, and Smith finished it, sending it high into the leftside netting.

Sophomore Courtney Enge iced the Wolverine victory late with a breakaway goal at 59:45. She stole the ball just past midfield and carried it in uncontested. Scarlet Knights goalkeeper Shevaun Hayes charged her in the circle, but Enge rolled the ball into the lower left corner.

Michigan outshot the seventh-seeded Scarlet Knights, 15-8, and outcornered them, 10-7. Freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson earned three saves en route to her third complete-game shutout of the season, while Rutgers' Hayes stopped six of nine U-M shots on goal.

The Wolverines will continue Big Ten Tournament play in the second semifinal Friday afternoon (Nov. 7) against No. 3 seed Northwestern, a 2-1 quarterfinal winner over No. 6 seed Iowa, at Ocker Field. Maryland and Penn State will meet in the semifinal opener at 1 p.m. Both matches will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

GAME SUMMARY

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

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- U-M, Leslie Smith, 46:55 (Verlee Lubbers, Ainsley McCallister)
2nd -- U-M, Smith, 50:24 (penalty stroke)
2nd -- U-M, Courtney Enge, 59:45 (unassisted)

Shots: U-M 15, RU 8
Saves: U-M 3 (Sam Swenson), RU 6 (Shevaun Hayes)
Defensive Saves: none
Penalty Corners: U-M 10, RU 7

NOTES

• With today's win, Michigan improved to 4-0 in the all-time series against Rutgers.

• Michigan earned its fourth shutout win this year and first since the third weekend of the season. Freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson owns three complete-game shutouts and has contributed to all four efforts.

• Michigan has not allowed more than two goals in each of its last 17 games. Swenson ranks third in the Big Ten with a 1.27 goals-against average.

• The Wolverines have matched or outshot their opponent in every game since their season opener. U-M has held its opponents to single-digit shots in each of the last 10 games.

• Fifth-year senior Leslie Smith posted her second multi-goal effort of the season. She has scored in 11 of 18 games.

• Smith is 8-for-10 on penalty-stroke opportunities in her career.

• With her two goals, Smith upped her career points total to 93, moving to the ninth position among U-M's all-time leaders in the category. She needs three more to reach the eighth spot, currently held by Courtney Reid (96, 1997-2000). With 32 career goals, Smith is also four goals shy of cracking the top 10 that career category.

• Fifth-year senior Ainsley McCallister extended her point streak to three straight games with her assist on U-M's first goal. She has contributed to six of Michigan's last eight goals.

• Freshman Veerle Lubbers claimed sole possession of the Wolverines' program record for assists by a freshman, upping her season total to 10 with her helper on U-M's first goal of the game.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On the Wolverine performance ... "Everybody was really focused and ready to play. I think we prepared well this week. I was happy with how sharp we looked. I just told them to be patient, stay focused and continue trying hard to execute. Odds were that one of them would eventually get in there. They just kept at it. It was a good team win today."

On the defensive effort ... "Our backfield is really experienced, and they've had a nice season. Mackenzie [Ellis], Sam [Gray] and Lauren [Thomas] are all older players, and they've been working together as a unit all season. They've done a great job."

On the momentum gained from a strong second half ... "It's helpful. It helps with confidence and reminds our team that we can play with anybody. We're looking forward to tomorrow."

On the team's mentality entering the tournament ... "It was really focused. They were excited. We knew what was at stake; we're trying to win a Big Ten championship. Everyone knew they had to get themselves prepared, and they did."

U-M Fifth-Year Senior Leslie Smith
On her first goal ... "Corners are so important. It's been an emphasis for us all season. I can't remember who drew that one, but that was a total team effort there. Someone got it, and we finally executed it perfectly."

On hosting the Big Ten Tournament ... "It's such an honor. Being my fifth year, it's just awesome. I have a lot of friends and family here to see us and support us. I think it goes for everybody that being on your home field lends a sense of empowerment. I think that showed today."

On the preparation in a tournament setting ... "You just have to take it one game at a time and step by step. I think our team does a good job with that. After our Ohio State game, we had a day off to rest our legs then we spent two days just focusing solely on Rutgers. Tonight we'll switch our focus to who we play tomorrow. It's just day by day."

U-M Sophomore Courtney Enge
On the offensive execution in the second half ... "We transferred the ball well between both sidelines and really focused on simple passes and executing in the circle. We did a good job with that today, especially in the second half."

On kicking off the postseason ... "I think we're more determined in the postseason. Our goal is to win a championship, and that's right in front of us now. We've had a few tough games lately, with a loss to Michigan State and two close games, but we're focused on bringing it all together in the postseason and finishing strong."