Hernandez's First-Half Goal Lifts U-M to Shutout of DePaul

Sunday, September 5

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

5-1-0, 0-0-0

DePaul

2-3-0, 0-0-0

DePaul

Michigan

Nicki Hernandez (Jaime Crawford)

Hernandez's First-Half Goal Lifts U-M to Shutout of DePaul

9/5/2021 3:59:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Scott Kemps

» Senior Nicki Hernandez scored her fourth goal of the season in the 34th minute, providing the match-winner.
» Michigan outshot DePaul 27-5 on the match, 16-1 in the second half alone.
» Goalkeeper Hillary Beall made three saves for U-M's fourth clean sheet of the season.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: #24 Michigan 1, DePaul 0
Records: U-M (5-1), DePaul (2-3)
Attendance: 800
Next U-M Event: Friday, Sept. 10 -- at Louisville (Louisville, Ky.), 5 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 24-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team used a marker in the 34th minute from senior Nicki Hernandez for the lone goal of the match in a 1-0 win over DePaul on Sunday (Sept. 5) at U-M Soccer Stadium.

Michigan (5-1) came out firing early, earning three chances in the opening seven minutes, with sophomore striker Sammi Woods getting credit for two of the opportunities. DePaul (2-2) settled into the match in the ensuing 15 minutes, evening the shot count at 3-3.

U-M got on board in the 34th minute, capitalizing on a failed clearance by the DePaul backline. Junior Dani Wolfe collected a loose ball at the top of the box, and played it to senior Raleigh Loughman at the top of the 18. Loughman's service inside the mixer found Hernandez on the back post, and finished lower-right to give the Wolverines the breakthrough and a 1-0 lead.

At the intermission, U-M held an 11-4 shot advantage, with Woods and sophomore Sarah Bridenstine registering a trio of chances apiece.

Ten minutes into the second half, U-M appeared to double its lead on a shot from senior Sarah Stratigakis. Her effort off a service from junior Jayde Riviere from the right flank at the top of the six hit off the crossbar and appeared to cross the goal line, but appeals were denied, and the score held at 1-0.

In total, the Wolverines outpaced the Blue Demons in shots 16-1 in the second half, and 27-5 on the match. Woods finished the afternoon with a team-high six shots, with three coming on frame.

Senior goalkeeper Hillary Beall made three saves in goal for U-M's fourth clean sheet of the campaign. Senior forward Sammi Atterbury made her first-career start, playing 41 minutes. She previously appeared in 29 matches as a reserve in her U-M career.

Tweet of the Match

Hernandez goal, her fourth of the season!#GoBlue? | #InPursuit pic.twitter.com/G611uw7Fhm
— Michigan Women's Soccer (@umichwsoccer) September 5, 2021

After playing five of its first six matches at home to start the season, U-M hits the road to take on Louisville on Friday (Sept. 10) at 5 p.m. and Cincinnati next Sunday (Sept. 12) at 3 p.m.