Michigan
(12-6)
Michigan State
(8-12)
Wolverines Advance to Big Ten Semifinals with Double-OT Win
11/3/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
» Leah Cardarelli used a double-overtime reverse chip to net the game-winner at 89:57 and send No. 10 U-M over in-state rival Michigan State, 2-1, in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
» Michigan trailed throughout most of the game until Esther de Leijer scored the equalizer on a penalty-corner tip with just 2:44 remaining in regulation.
» Goalkeeper Sam Swenson earned four saves in the Wolverine cage, including two in the double-overtime frame.
Site: College Park, Md. (Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (Quarterfinals)
Score: #10 Michigan 2, Michigan State 1 (2OT)
Records: U-M (12-6), MSU (8-12)
Next U-M Match: Friday, Nov. 4 -- vs. Penn State - Big Ten Tournament (College Park, Md.), 1 p.m.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Sophomore Leah Cardarelli buried the double-overtime game-winner at the 89:57 mark to propel the No. 10-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team to a 2-1 comeback victory against in-state rival Michigan State in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday morning (Nov. 3) at Maryland's Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
Freshman Meg Dowthwaite initiated the play on her own defensive 25, taking the ball up through the midfield and finding Cardarelli behind the Spartan defenders on the MSU 25. Cardarelli carried the ball into the circle all alone, pulled the goalkeeper out of position and sailed a reverse chip into the cage for her first goal of the season. It is the Wolverines' third overtime win in four games.
Leah Cardarelli (1) celebrates her game-winner with Meg Dowthwaite
The Wolverines, who trailed throughout most of the game after a first-half MSU goal, poured on the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Spartans, 8-2, and outcornering them, 7-1. U-M finally evened the score on its seventh corner attempt, with just 2:44 remaining, when graduate student Esther de Leijer tipped in a corner shot from junior Katie Trombetta at the 67:16 mark. The ball appeared to ricochet in front, veering just slightly to de Leijer, who redirected it in from the right post.
Michigan State claimed the early advantage at the 19:30 mark when Kristin Matula intercepted a pass on the U-M defensive 25, dribbled in and fired a low shot to the board.
After largely controlling the first overtime -- but struggling to push the ball into the MSU circle -- the Wolverines withstood a Spartan flurry early in the second overtime, with junior goalkeeper Sam Swenson making two big saves on an initial shot and ensuing rebound. Cardarelli netted the game-winner less than a minute later.
Michigan outshot the Spartans, 18-9, and outcornered them, 8-1, in the contest. Swenson earned four saves in the Wolverine cage, while MSU goalkeeper Sierra Patton stopped 10 of 12 U-M shots on goal.
Tweet of the Game
GOAL MICHIGAN!!! 89:57. Cardarelli gets the ball at the 25, carries it in all alone on MSU GK, chips one high for the winner! 2-1 U-M.
-- Michigan FieldHockey (@umichfldhockey) November 3, 2016
The Wolverines advance to the second Big Ten Tournament semifinal contest tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 4) and will face No. 6-ranked Penn State at 1 p.m. at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
Team Stats
Matula, Kristin (11)
dribble into circle, blast from top
19:30
de Leijer, Esther (5)
rebound off shot from top of circle
67:16
Cardarelli, Leah (1)
Assisted By: Dowthwaite, Meg
dribble into circle, backhand shot
89:57
