Wolverines Blank Tribe in Home Opener

Saturday, September 6

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

(1-2)

William & Mary

(1-3)

William & Mary

Michigan

9/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

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By: Leah Howard

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: #17 Michigan 2, William & Mary 0
Records: U-M (1-2), W&M (1-3)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 7 -- vs. Central Michigan (Phyllis Ocker Field), 2 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team opened the newly renovated stadium with a victory, scoring twice in the first half en route to a 2-0 decision against William & Mary on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 6) in front of 452 fans at Phyllis Ocker Field.

Fifth-year senior Leslie Smith (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey HS) netted both goals for the Wolverines, scoring in quick succession on penalty corners early in the opening frame. She opened scoring on U-M's fifth corner opportunity of the contest at the 11:25 mark, firing a hard direct shot to the left, near side of the cage. The ball deflected off a defender in front, redirecting into the netting just above the board.

The Wolverines struck again just three minutes later, converting its next corner opportunity at 14:47. Smith found a similar spot on a rocketed direct shot, scoring to the left side beyond the reach of Tribe goalkeeper Meredith Savage. Freshman Veerle Lubbers (Arnhem, Netherlands/ Stedelijk Gymnasium) and fifth-year senior Ainsley McCallister (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) earned assists on both goals for the stop and the push, respectively. Smith upped her season goal total to three.

Michigan controlled the bulk of the game, outshooting the Tribe, 12-2, and outcornering them, 11-1. Freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson (Harrogate, England/Ashville College) registered her first complete-game performance, earning one stop -- an impressive stick save on a late W&M penalty corner -- while Savage blocked four of U-M's six shots on goal.

The Wolverines will wrap up their home weekend tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 7), hosting intrastate rival Central Michigan at 2 p.m. at Ocker Field. Admission is free to all regular-season home games.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
William & Mary	0	0	0
Michigan	2	0	2

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Leslie Smith, 11:25 (Veerle Lubbers, Ainsley McCallister)
1st -- U-M, Smith, 14:47 (Lubbers, McCallister)

Shots: U-M 12, W&M 2
Saves: U-M 1 (Sam Swenson), W&M 4 (Meredith Savage)
Defensive Saves: none
Penalty Corners: U-M 11, W&M 1

NOTES

• Michigan improved to 5-1 in the all-time series against William & Mary.

• U-M extended its home winning streak to 12 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. Michigan improved to 13-7 in home openers at Ocker Field.

• Fifth-year senior Leslie Smith owns four career multi-goal efforts.

• Freshman Veerle Lubbers earned her first career points with assists on both U-M goals. She is the second Wolverine to earn her first collegiate point this season; freshman Morgan Malone earned as assist last weekend against Wake Forest.

• Freshman goalkeeper Sam Swenson recorded her first collegiate shutout in her first complete-game performance. Swenson posted one save.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On the Wolverines' game ... "I was really pleased with them. I had been a little worried that they might be distracted with all the new, but it really was just a 'wow' experience and they did a great job staying focused."

On Leslie Smith's corner goals ... "She's been really piping them in practice, so we just knew she'd have a good game. She's a big-time player. We gave her the ball, and she delivered."

On getting freshman goalie Sam Swenson more experience ... "She's a freshman; 18 years old and a young woman coming over from another country. We just started school, so she's getting her feet on the ground and getting more comfortable. It's nice to have a win where she can gain some confidence and really go on and grow from there."

U-M Fifth-Year Senior Leslie Smith
On the home opener ... "We had been away for 20 days, and we had to adjust to this field in just three days. I think our team did a great job of it, and I think as the season goes on, we'll keep taking it up a notch each week. As we practice more on this field, it'll get a lot sharper. We had a great turnout today. It's so exciting to be at home on your own field, especially this beautiful new field."

On the Wolverines' corner execution ... "We really focus on our corners. As Marcia says, you should be making at least 30 percent of your corners. We were 2-for-11, so there's some room to grow. It's important; it's a huge opportunity. I think we've been doing a good job on both ends. We have a lot of great corners and we love to practice it, and we're excited to see what we can do this season."