Michigan
(3-2)
Providence
(2-3)
Wolverines Earn Third Straight Shutout in First Home Night Game
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: Michigan 2, Providence 0
Records: U-M (3-2), Providence (2-3)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 14 -- vs. VCU (Phyllis Ocker Field), 1 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan field hockey team claimed its third straight shutout victory, defeating Providence, 2-0, on Friday (Sept. 12) in the first-ever night game at Phyllis Ocker Field. The Wolverines, who scored a goal in each half, played in front of a season-high 504 fans.
Junior Shannon Scavelli (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Lakeland Shrub Oak HS) scored both goals for the Wolverines -- the first multi-goal effort of her career -- on tips off penalty-corner opportunities early in the first and second halves.
Michigan broke through on its third corner opportunity of the contest. Fifth-year senior Leslie Smith (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey HS) drove the direct shot to the right side of the cage, and Scavelli got her stick on it to redirect it past Friar goalkeeper Deidra Clymer.
The Wolverines commanded play in the first half, outshooting the Friars, 7-0, and outcornering them, 3-0. The game tightened up in the second, however, as Providence started to generate opportunities in the U-M defensive 25, including two penalty corners in the opening eight minutes of the frame.
Michigan padded its lead with another penalty corner goal -- a near exact replica of its first -- at the 46:49 mark. Smith rocketed a hard shot to the lower right side of the cage, and Scavelli laid out to redirect it into the goal. It marks Smith's first assists of the season; she led the Wolverines in helpers in each of the last two seasons.
Freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson (Harrogate, England/Ashville College) earned three saves -- including stops on two late Friar corner chances -- to claim the second complete-game shutout of her collegiate career. She has played 190 straight minutes without allowing a goal. Providence goalkeeper Clymer stopped five of U-M's seven shots on goal.
The Wolverines will wrap up their homestand on Sunday (Sept. 14), hosting VCU at 1 p.m. at Ocker Field. U-M will also host a neutral-site contest between Providence and Central Michigan at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free to all regular-season home contests.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | F |
| Providence | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Shannon Scavelli, 16:24 (Leslie Smith)
2nd -- U-M, Scavelli, 46:49 (Smith)
Shots: U-M 9, PC 5
Saves: U-M 3 (Sam Swenson), PC 5 (Deidra Clymer)
Defensive Saves: none
Penalty Corners: U-M 4, PC 5
NOTES
• Michigan evened its all-time series record against Providence to 2-2.
• U-M extended its home winning streak to 14 straight games, dating back to a 3-2 overtime win against rival Michigan State on Oct. 12, 2012. The Wolverines boasted a perfect 8-0 home record last season at Ocker Field.
• The Wolverines have outscored their home opposition, 10-0.
• Fifth-year senior Leslie Smith upped her career assist total to 27 and moved to seventh place among U-M's all-time leaders in the category, where she is tied with Paige Laytos (2006-10), Lori Hillman (2002-05) and Sharon Cantor (1986-89). Smith needs just one more to reach the fifth spot.
• With four goals already this year, junior Shannon Scavelli is just two shy of previous career best. She entered the season with eight career goals.
• Freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson has earned five saves over her last three appearances, totaling 120:29 played without allowing a goal.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On the Wolverines' play ... "I think the team has great energy right now. The team dynamic is great.They're really playing for each other, trusting each other and playing with a lot of confidence, and it showed out on the field."
On the U-M backfield ... "Our defense is quite good. We've got two fifth-year seniors and a junior back that all have a lot of experience and played together for several years. They're playing with confidence in their experience.
On freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson ... "It's not an easy game to play when you don't get a lot of shots. It's hard to stay focused when you're not getting in the action a lot. She had to come up with three really important decisions, and she made the right decision each time. That's not easy when you're not getting peppered all game and have to sit back and wait. So, I was pleased with her performance. I think she's growing in confidence. She's a wonderful goalkeeper; that's why she's here."
On the first home night game ... "I was a little worried that they wouldn't be focused. I was worried about the distractions. But they came out ready to play. This place energizes them. They're excited about it. I didn't need to worry."
U-M Junior Shannon Scavelli
On the team performance ... "I think it was great. It was the first night game, so there were some nerves and a little pressure and we had a long day leading up to it, but we came out really strong. The nerves went away pretty quickly. It's a team effort. You just need to get out there and communicate with each other. We got into a groove quickly."
On her two penalty-corner goals ... "We really worked hard on our corners during the week. It was just a matter of going out and executing. We were reading their defense a bit and playing to their weakness. I just wanted to get in there and do whatever I could to get the ball in the goal."
U-M Freshman Sam Swenson
On staying focused while facing limited shots ... "It was great, honestly. We played so well. You want to get shots, but you don't want at the same time. I always stay focused in the game, whether it's just saying 'well done,' to my teammates. If I keep talking, then I know where they are on the field and I won't lose my focus. I can plan ahead when I know what's going on."
On U-M's backfield ... "It's amazing. My defense is fabulous. They listen to me, and they know exactly what to do. I never really worked with a defense that's as good as this. It's so nice to play behind a group that's so good. It lifts everyone else."
Team Stats
Scavelli, Shannon
Assisted By: Smith, Leslie
tipped on corner shot
16:24
Scavelli, Shannon
Assisted By: Smith, Leslie
tip on corner shot
46:49
