Michigan
Minnesota
Grech Sets Shutout Records as Michigan Blanks Gophers
10/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Score: #24 Michigan 2, Minnesota 0
Records: Michigan (9-5, 7-2 Big Ten), Minnesota (4-9, 3-6 Big Ten)
Next U-M Match: Sunday, Oct. 21 -- at Oakland (Rochester, Mich.), 1 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore goalkeeper Suzie Grech (Narbeth, Pa./The Shipley School) made three saves for her school-record eighth shutout of the season as the No. 24-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team scored a 2-0 victory over the University of Minnesota Friday (Oct. 19) at U-M Soccer Field.
Michigan's solid defensive game was punctuated by two timely goals to lift its consecutive victory streak at home to seven games. The Wolverines had a physical and time of possession edge over the Gophers, keeping them devoid of great scoring chances. With her seventh solo shutout of the season, Grech set U-M single-season records for solo shutouts and total shutouts (eight) and recorded her ninth overall victory of 2001.
Defender Andrea Kayal (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills HS) netted her third goal of the season 18:09 into the game. Minnesota defender Jordan Bieler was issued a yellow card for tripping, stopping the clock and rewarding the Wolverines with a direct kick just outside the 18-yard line. Michigan head coach Debbie Rademacher enlisted Kayal to take the kick, and her shot swooshed into the mesh of the upper left-hand corner of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Michigan dominated the first half but was unable to generate another good scoring opportunity until the early part of the second half. Forward Abby Crumpton (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams HS), who scored two breakaway goals last week in a victory over Indiana (Oct. 12), was unleashed on another breakaway but was caught from behind by Gopher Megan Turner, who deflected the ball before Crumpton could shoot.
At 62:51 into the game freshman Liz Dosa (Piedmont, Calif./Piedmont HS) scored her first career goal. Amy Sullivant (Utica, Mich./Eisenhower HS) brought the ball up the left side of the field, booming a cross to the far side. Kate Morgan (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty HS) slid behind the defenders and was primed for a header but the ball took an unexpected bounce past her. Minnesota goalie Julie Eibensteiner breathed a premature sigh of relief though as Dosa emerged from a retreating pack of Gopher defenders to put her foot on the ball and slide it under the arms of Eibensteiner.
The 2-0 lead was insurmountable for the Gophers, who managed only two good scoring chances the rest of the game. Rademacher subbed her defense so that it would stay fresh and maintain its strength over a tiring Gopher offensive unit.
Michigan (9-5, 7-2 Big Ten) travels to Oakland University Sunday (Oct. 21) for a 1 p.m. non-conference game against the Grizzlies.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Minnesota | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- MICH, Andrea Kayal, 18:09 (unassisted)
2nd -- MICH, Liz Dosa, 62:51 (Amy Sullivant)
Shots: MICH 12, MINN 6
Saves: MICH 3 (Suzie Grech), MINN 4 (Julie Eibensteiner)
Corner Kicks: MICH 1, MINN 1
Fouls: MICH 8, MINN 6
Cards: MINN, Megan Turner, 17:50 (yellow)
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On her team's play against the Gophers ... "I think we played very well. The Gophers employ a tough system. They allow a lot of room to our forwards but then they build a wall and are tough to penetrate. The only way for us to score was to start wide and cross. On our second goal we did exactly that with Amy (Sullivant) making a great pass and Liz (Dosa) being in the right spot."
On goaltender Suzie Grech's eighth shutout ... "Suzie may not face many shots but when she does she's ready. That's a sign of a very confident and very good goalie."
On deciding to use Andrea Kayal on the direct kick that resulted in a goal ... "On those kicks it's either Andrea or Amy (Sullivant) that takes them. They're out on the field and they know who feels better about it so they decide."
On her enthusiasm for the Big Ten Tournament ... "The tournament is up for grabs. The Big Ten has been beating up on each other all season. We're feeling pretty confident right now about our chances; we just have to do it on game day."
U-M Junior Defender Andrea Kayal
On her goal ... "I played forward in high school and on my club team so I love any chance I can get to do it. I've scored a couple goals and I just relish the opportunity for scoring chances."
U-M Freshman Midfielder Liz Dosa
On being in the right place at the right time ... "I made a run along the weakside and Sully (Amy Sullivant) gave me a perfect ball. It curved right to me and I just tapped it in."
On gaining new experiences ... "I still feel like a freshman. I'm still trying to adjust to school and soccer."
On the vast difference in weather between her home in California and Michigan ... "It's freezing. I talk to my friends (from California) and they tell me it's warm and sunny there and they're still going to the beach. But there's a lot here that makes up for it. The soccer's great, the school's great and the people are really great."
