Wolverines Unable to Overcome Early Deficit at No. 9 Delaware

Saturday, October 8

Newark, Del.

4:00 PM

Michigan

(8-5)

Delaware

(11-2)

Michigan

Delaware

Esther de Leijer

Wolverines Unable to Overcome Early Deficit at No. 9 Delaware

10/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Leah Howard

» No. 10 Michigan could not overcome a three-goal deficit in a 3-1 loss at No. 9 Delaware.
» Esther de Leijer scored U-M's lone goal, converting on a penalty corner at 62:42.
» Freshman goalkeeper Claire Stemper posted three saves in the Wolverine cage.

Site: Newark, Del. (Rullo Stadium)
Score: #9 Delaware 3, #10 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (8-5), UD (11-2)
Next U-M Match: Friday, Oct. 14 -- vs. Indiana (Phyllis Ocker Field), 7 p.m.

NEWARK, Del. -- The No. 10-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team scored late but could not overcome its deficit against No. 9 Delaware, falling, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 8) at the Blue Hens' Rullo Stadium.

Michigan's rally started too late, at the 62:42 mark, with a goal from graduate student Esther de Leijer on a penalty-corner conversion -- the second of two successive chance. Junior Katie Trombetta fed a pass to the right post, where de Leijer one-touched high into the cage.

The Wolverines continued to pressure but could not get another opportunity in the circle.

Michigan also started with a lot of pressure in Delaware territory, but it was the Blue Hens who claimed the early advantage with a penalty-corner goal at the 9:39 mark. Greta Nauck scored on the direct shot, a bouncer that beat freshman goalkeeper Claire Stemper high.

The score remained close until early in the second half when Delaware took advantage of a free hit just outside the Wolverine circle to set up a chance in front; Esmee Peet finished with a shot from the left side at 45:25. The Blue Hens added another goal on a pass from outside the circle at 54:44; Meghan Winesett got her stick on the ball in front and redirected into the U-M cage.

Delaware outshot the Wolverines, 8-6, and outcornered them, 5-3. Stemper earned three saves in the Michigan cage, while the Blue Hens' Emmeline Oltmans stopped four of five U-M shots on goal.

The Wolverines will return home next weekend to host a pair of Big Ten Conference matchups at Phyllis Ocker Field. The Wolverines will host Indiana at 7 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 14) before closing out the weekend with a 1 p.m. slate against Iowa on Sunday (Oct. 16). Both games will be free admission.