Michigan
6-6-6,3-5-3Big Ten
Rutgers
12-2-4,6-2-3Big Ten
Wolverines Suffer Narrow Loss at No. 25 Rutgers in Regular-Season Finale
10/25/2017 6:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Site: Piscataway, N.J. (Yurcak Field)
Score: No. 25 Rutgers 1, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (6-6-6, 3-5-3 Big Ten), RU (12-2-4, 6-2-3 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Monday, Nov. 6Â -- NCAA Tournament Selection Show (NCAA.com), 4:30 p.m.
» Rutgers scored the game's only goal in the 40th minute and recorded its nation-leading 14th shutout to secure the 1-0 win.
» The shot count was a tale of two halves, as Rutgers outshot Michigan, 10-2, in the first half and the Wolverines held an 8-7 edge in shots in the second half.
» Michigan will finish outside the top eight in the Big Ten standings and will not qualify for the Big Ten Tournament.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team was edged by No. 25 Rutgers, 1-0, in the regular-season finale on Wednesday (Oct. 25) at Yurcak Field.
With the loss, Michigan will not earn a spot in the Big Ten Tournament, marking the first time since 2011 U-M did not qualify for the conference tournament.Â
The Scarlet Knights outshot the Wolverines, 10-2, in the opening half, including 4-1 in shots on goal. Michigan's only shot on goal in the first half came in the sixth minute, when freshman Sarah Stratigakis cut to her left foot in the middle of the box and got off a high shot that was saved by Rutgers goalkeeper Casey Murphy.
Rutgers got on the board first in the 40th minute as Alaysia Lane's shot from the top of penalty box rattled off the inside of the left post and into the goal. It marked the first goal Michigan senior goalkeeper Megan Hinz has allowed this season. Hinz finished the opening half with three saves before classmate Sarah Jackson came on in the second half to finish the match in goal.
The tide turned in the second half as the Wolverines came out firing and created several chances. Overall, Michigan outshot Rutgers, 8-7, in the second half.
Injuries that occurred in the first half or early in the second half gave opportunities for several Wolverines to see time off the bench, including several players who pushed up and played out of position in search of the tying goal.
In the 54th minute, senior Emma Groffsky laid a ball off to fellow senior Rubina Veerakone, whose initial shot was blocked and junior Abby Kastroll headed the rebound toward the goal, but it was cleared off the line by a Rutgers defender. Veerakone was pushed up into the middle from her usual spot at outside back.
Later, in the 78th minute, Kastroll carried the ball to the right touch line and crossed a low-driven ball across to Veerakone, but her shot sailed over the crossbar.
The Wolverines were not able to net the equalizer, as Rutgers recorded its 14th shutout of the season, which leads the nation.
Michigan will now wait to see if it will earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Show will take place on Monday, Nov. 6, at 4:30 p.m. It will be shown live on NCAA.com.
Team Stats
Lane, Alaysia (3)
Assisted By: Moneme, Nneka
Take in UM territory; pass midfield lin
39:47
