Michigan
Oakland
Wolverines Battle to Scoreless Tie at Oakland
10/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ROCHESTER, Mich. -- The No. 24-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team battled the Oakland Grizzlies to a 0-0 tie after two overtimes on Sunday (Oct. 21) at the OU Soccer Field.
Junior goalkeeper Suzie Grech (Narbeth, Pa./The Shipley School) made the save of the game in the second overtime on a chance by OU's Anita Rapp. Grech deflected just enough of the ball for it to hit the crossbar and bounce back out in the box for U-M's Andrea Kayal (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills HS) to clear.
U-M's biggest chance to win the game came in the first overtime as freshman Liz Dosa (Piedmont, Calif./Piedmont HS) had a scoring opportunity from six yards out but could not settle the ball and had it kicked away by Grizzly defenders. Then, in the second overtime, it was Abby Crumpton (Rochester, Mich./Rochester Adams HS) who had an open shot, but kicked it wide.
Both teams played extremely well defensively, making it difficult for offensive players to move with the ball. Despite U-M controlling the ball for most of regulation, the Grizzlies stayed relatively even in the shot count, finishing with 14 to Michigan's 17. The 0-0 tie marks the first time U-M has been shut out this season.
The Wolverines (9-5-1, 7-2 Big Ten) are back in action next Friday (Oct. 26) as they host Michigan State at 3 p.m. at the U-M Soccer Field to wrap up the Big Ten Conference schedule.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | OT | OT | F |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
None
Shots: U-M 17, Oakland 14
Saves: U-M 3 (Suzie Grech), Oakland 6 (Sarah Buckland)
Corner Kicks: U-M 4, Oakland 6
Fouls: U-M 15, Oakland 14
Cards: None
Q U O T E S
U-M Assistant Coach Scott Forrester
On the team's play ... "We played really well as a team. Our defense was superb and Suzie (Grech) was brilliant at times."
On the team's defensive effort ... "Oakland played three up front, which we haven't seen much all season. We made the necessary adjustments and played well through it."
On OU's standout player, Anita Rapp ... "Overall, I thought we controlled her. We didn't expect to see her today since she sat out against Michigan State (on Thursday, Oct. 18). She is a Norwegian National Team player and is very talented."
On Michigan's overtime chances ... "Liz Dosa almost had the game-winner. She was just inside the six-yard mark, but she stepped on the ball and the Grizzlies got it out. Then Abby (Crumpton) had a chance, but it went wide. We were pleased to be creating these chances. Now we just need to capitalize."
N O T E S
Illinois' 1-1 double-overtime tie at Purdue on Sunday assured Michigan of a second-place finish in the Big Ten race and the No. 2 seed for the Big Ten Tournament Nov. 8-11 in West Lafayette, Ind. U-M is 7-2 (21 points) while third-place Illinois is 5-3-1 (16 points) with one league game remaining for each. Penn State (8-0-1, 25 points) clinched the regular-season title Sunday with a 1-0 home win over Northwestern.
Suzie Grech recorded her ninth shutout (eight solo, one shared) of the season, extending her single-season school records for shutouts and solo shutouts. She has played 347:48 minutes without allowing a goal, dating back to the Penn State game (Oct. 7) in which she had a 403:41 streak halted.
Michigan has played to a 0-0 tie four times in its history, with the last time prior to today being Oct. 20, 2000, at home against Northwestern. U-M's other two 0-0 games were against Penn State (Oct. 5, 1997, and Sept. 19, 1999).
The Wolverines are now 2-0-1 all-time against Oakland. U-M beat Oakland 3-1 at home last season (Oct. 4) and opened the 1999 season with a 4-1 home win over the Grizzlies (Aug. 29).
Michigan is 1-1-1 in overtime games this year, with 2-1 loss at Illinois (Sept. 21) and a 1-0 home victory over Wisconsin (Sept. 30).
U-M has outshot its opponents 224-180 so far this season.
Contact: Karen Simpson (734) 763-4423
