Wolverines Surge Past Rutgers on Facility Dedication Day

Sunday, September 28

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

(7-3, 2-1Big Ten)

Rutgers

(4-5, 0-3Big Ten)

Rutgers

Michigan

Wolverines Surge Past Rutgers on Facility Dedication Day

9/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

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By: Leah Howard

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: #14 Michigan 2, Rutgers 1
Records: U-M (7-3, 2-1 Big Ten), Rutgers (4-5, 0-3 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 3 -- at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), 4 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team used a strong second half to surge past Rutgers, 2-1, on its facility dedication day Sunday (Sept. 28) in front of 567 fans at Phyllis Ocker Field. Sophomore Eliza Stein (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) netted the game-winner at the 47:41 mark as U-M improved to 2-1 in Big Ten Conference play.

The game-winning tally followed soon after Michigan's successful kill of a Scarlet Knights' three-player advantage after U-M was issued three cards, including two yellows, within a narrow 1:11 window early in the second half. Back at full strength, the Wolverines immediately pushed back into Rutgers territory.

Freshman Veerle Lubbers (Arnhem, Netherlands/Stedelijk Gymnasium) set up the three-on-one goal, receiving the ball near midfield and carrying to the Scarlet Knights' defensive 25 before firing a forward pass into the circle, where sophomore Courtney Enge (San Diego, Calif./Ranch Scripps HS) gained control and fed it past the lone Rutgers defender to sophomore/freshman Carly Bennett (Narragansett, R.I./Hotchkiss School) on the right side. As Rutgers goalkeeper Shevaun Hayes charged Bennett, she dished the ball cross cage to Stein, who one-timed a shot into the open net.

With the one-goal lead, the Wolverines continued to pressure deep in Rutgers territory, just missing wide on several late scoring opportunities; Bennett hit the crossbar on another in the waning minutes. The Scarlet Knights drew a corner with less than two minutes remaining, but U-M did not allow them a shot and maintained possession to claim the victory.

Both teams tallied one goal in the first half. Bennett opened scoring early, at the 6:03 mark, corralling a rebound of Hayes' pads near the right post and knocking it into the nearside corner. It was her fourth goal of the season and third in Big Ten play.

Rutgers evened the goal just 12 minutes later, at 18:09, after a series of consecutive penalty-corner opportunities. Rachel Yaney took advantage of the Scarlet Knight's third corner chance, getting her stick on a direct shot from Alyssa Bull and redirecting the ball into the bottom right corner.

Michigan outshot the Scarlet Knights, 14-6, while penalty corners were even at 7-7. Freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson (Harrogate, England/Ashville College) earned four saves, including three in the first half, to collect her seventh win, while Hayes stopped five of U-M's seven shots on goal.

The Wolverines (7-3, 2-1 Big Ten) will return to the road next weekend, heading to Bloomington, Ind., to face Indiana at 4 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 3) before taking on Louisville at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 5) in Louisville, Ky.

GAME SUMMARY

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

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Carly Bennett, 6:03 (unassisted)
1st -- RU, Rachel Yaney, 18:09 (Alyssa Bull)
2nd -- U-M, Eliza Stein, 47:41 (Bennett)

Shots: U-M 14, RU 6
Saves: U-M 4 (Sam Swenson), RU 5 (Shevaun Hayes)
Defensive Saves: none
Penalty Corners: U-M 7, RU 7

NOTES

• With today's win, U-M improved to 3-0 in the all-time series against Rutgers. It was the first meeting since 2000.

• Michigan has outscored its home opposition, 21-4, this season.

• Sophomore Eliza Stein owns career bests with two goals and two assists this season. Today's goal was her second collegiate game-winner.

• Sophomore/freshman Carly Bennett has tallied at least one point in three of the Wolverines' last five games. She boasts four goals and three assists in her rookie campaign.

• Prior to the game, Michigan held a pregame ceremony for its facility dedication, featuring comments from athletic director Dave Brandon, head coach Marcia Pankratz, president Mark Schlissel and regent Kathy E. White. It also included ceremonial first shot by Team One member Gray Gilfillan.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On the backfield play ... "I thought our defense was good all day. We have a very experienced backfield, and I was proud of them. Sammy Gray did a great job marking and defending today. Lauren Thomas and Mackenzie [Ellis] are always solid as well. That was important, because it wasn't one of our best games. There was a lot going on today, and I think we were a little distracted. But it was an important win to pull out."

On second-half adjustments ... "We tried to make a couple adjustments at halftime to help them get a little more aggressive tactically. It worked a little bit, but we can get better; it's still a work in progress. Being able to win those games that are somewhat of a struggle are really important. I was proud of them for that."

On killing the Rutgers three-player advantage ... "I don't think we've ever been down three players in my 20 years. We defended that very well, and then when you get those players back, it's a big momentum shift. That was huge."

On facing Rutgers in a conference game ... "They have a very good team. We were prepared for a hard-fought battle. They're a strong, disciplined team, and they're well-coached. We're glad that they're a part of our conference. It makes our conference better."

U-M Sophomore Eliza Stein
On her goal ... "We had a ton of shots in both halves; we just couldn't convert. On that play, we caught the defenders off guard and finally capitalized on it. It was a great run from Courtney [Enge] to Carly [Bennett] to me. It felt good. We were getting the shots off; we just had to be a little more aggressive to put one in."