Michigan
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Western Michigan
Wolverines Blank Broncos to Close Regular Season
11/3/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Junior Abby Crumpton (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams HS) had a goal and an assist as the No. 22-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team finished the regular season with a 2-0 shutout over Western Michigan on Saturday (Nov. 3) at the U-M Soccer Field.
The Wolverines took control of the game from the first whistle as U-M fired three shots in the first minute and a half of play. Junior Amy Sullivant (Utica, Mich./Eisenhower HS) was the first Wolverine to capitalize on the miscues by the Broncos. Senior Becky Kozlik (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central HS) passed the ball from midfield ahead to Crumpton, who outran a Bronco midfielder to get the pass. Crumpton then held onto the ball and drew the defense to the right side of the net before handing it off to Sullivant, who scored on the open net. Sullivant's goal came at 41:22 and proved to be the game-winner as the Wolverine defense limited the Broncos to just two shots in the first half.
U-M's offense didn't let up as it managed nine more shots and another goal, this time by Crumpton. Erika Kleinholz (North Ridgeville, Ohio/Elyria Catholic HS) had the ball around the 30-yard mark, dribbled around two defenders as Crumpton moved to the left side of the net, and then made a perfect pass to the wide-open forward. Crumpton shot the ball on the ground to the right corner for U-M's second goal 25:02 into the contest.
Halftime gave the Broncos a chance to regroup, but they were unable to generate any offense in the second half. WMU managed four shots, its closest hitting the crossbar late in the second half, before U-M had two more scoring chances. Tammy Mitchell (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Seaholm HS) missed an open net after Crumpton dribbled the ball within two feet of the goalkeeper and Kozlik set up another scoring chance where fellow senior Alissa Shaw (West Carrollton, Ohio/West Carrollton HS) hit the crossbar with her shot.
The Wolverines outshot the Broncos 21-6 as they got their school-record ninth home win of the season, and sophomore goalkeeper Suzie Grech (Narbeth, Pa./The Shipley School) made three saves for her ninth shutout -- and the team's 10th -- of the year.
U-M (11-6-1, 8-2 Big Ten) heads to West Lafayette, Ind., for the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday, Friday and Sunday (Nov. 8-9-11). The second-seeded Wolverines face No. 7 seed Michigan State at 1:45 p.m. Thursday in the quarterfinal round.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Western Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Amy Sullivant, 41:22 (Abby Crumpton)
1st -- U-M, Crumpton, 25:02 (Erika Kleinholz)
Shots: U-M 21, WMU 6
Saves: U-M 3 (Suzie Grech), WMU 8 (Megan Ramey)
Corner Kicks: U-M 3, WMU 1
Fouls: U-M 3, WMU 10
Cards: none
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the team's performance ... "Well, it wasn't the prettiest game of soccer we've ever played and I felt like we were kind of lackadaisical after getting the lead, but a win is a win."
On the team's regular-season play ... "I am happy with our play during the regular season. We definitely had a slow start, but we pulled it together and we have been fairly consistent. We have played well at home and finished on a high note."
On facing Michigan State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament ... "We have to go there focused and play a lot better than we played today. I am hoping we have good conditions because the last time we played them our conditions weren't so good. We'll be ready though."
N O T E S
Abby Crumpton is on a three-game goal scoring streak, the first of her career, dating back to U-M's match against Michigan State (Oct. 26). Crumpton leads the team with 10 goals and three assists for 23 points.
Amy Sullivant recorded five shots for the third time this season and tied her career high for shots on goal with three. Sullivant leads all Wolverine defenders with 51 shots and is second in team scoring with 16 points.
U-M's 21 shots against the Broncos is its second-highest shot total of the season. The Wolverines fired 30 shots against the Detroit (Sept. 17).
Contact: Karen Simpson (734) 763-4423
