Kramer Pushes Michigan Past Chippewas, Back to .500

Sunday, October 19

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

5-5-6

Central Michigan

7-6-2

Central Michigan

Michigan

10/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team completed its second weekend sweep of the season, defeating Central Michigan 1-0 Sunday afternoon (Oct. 19) in front of 873 fans at the U-M Soccer Field. The Wolverines, who defeated Iowa 1-0 on Friday (Oct. 17), received their goal from sophomore Katie Kramer (Andover, Mass./Andover HS) in the second half, while goalkeepers Suzie Grech (Narberth, Pa./The Shipley School) and Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic HS) combined for four saves in the shutout victory.

Kramer and Boyles (6) gave U-M the only goal it needed.

U-M came out a little flat in the first half, as the Chippewas (7-6-2) held Michigan without a single shot on goal in the first 45 minutes. Tuura kept the Wolverines in the game with three key saves in the first frame. Central Michigan's best scoring chance came with 13 minutes left, when Jacqui Lorenzo's corner kick was on target before being batted out of danger by Tuura.

After the break, the Wolverines seemed to be rejuvenated and simply outplayed CMU the rest of the way. Sophomore Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South HS) made a great effort in the opening minutes of the half. After a Central Michigan corner kick was slapped away by Grech, Heaton took the open ball and dribbled nearly the entire length of the field untouched before ripping a shot from the top of the 18-yard box. The shot just missed high right and out of bounds.

Michigan nearly broke the game open with 27 minutes remaining, but junior Laura Tanchon's (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS) shot in front hit the top of the crossbar. Six minutes later, sophomore Stephanie Boyles (Arvada, Colo./Pomona HS) served up a nice ball off the restart and Kramer headed the ball past CMU goalkeeper Kari Alexander to put Michigan up 1-0 with 21:10 to go in the game.

On U-M's next series, senior Stephanie Chavez (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood HS) got behind Alexander on the left endline and made a nice cross to freshman Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) on the far post. Spencer's shot appeared to be on its way to the back of the goal, but a team save by the Chippewas prevented Michigan from taking a two-goal lead.

Central Michigan did not challenge Grech with a single shot on a goal in the second half. The Wolverines dominated the shot count 11-3 in the final 45 minutes.

The Wolverines (5-5-6, 3-2-4 Big Ten) return to the U-M Soccer Field on Friday (Oct. 24) to face rival Michigan State. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Central Michigan	0	0	0
Michigan	0	1	1

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- U-M, Katie Kramer, 68:49 (Stephanie Boyles)

Shots: U-M 15, CMU 6
Saves: U-M 4 (Suzie Grech 1, Megan Tuura 3), CMU 4 (Kari Alexander 3, Team 1)
Corner Kicks: U-M 6, CMU 2
Fouls: U-M 16, CMU 13
Cards: None

Q U O T E S

U-M Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the game ...  "Our first half was probably one of the worst we've played all season. We were outworked in the first half, but I saw a big change in the second half. We just got ourselves to .500 and we are looking to finish up strong. We still want to get to the NCAA Tournament but we also have to make sure we qualify for the Big Ten Tournament. That is our main focus right now."

N O T E S

With her assist on Katie Kramer's goal, Stephanie Boyles earned her first point of the season. In 39 career games, Boyles has collected three goals and three assists for nine points.

Kramer's goal is the second of her career and the second this season.

The Wolverines have posted seven shutouts in 2003.

Michigan is 1-0 all-time against the Chippewas.

Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423