Michigan Shut Out by Connecticut in NCAA Third Round

Sunday, November 23

Storrs, CT

Noon

Michigan

11-8-6

University of Connecticut

13-5-3

Michigan

UCONN

11/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. -- The No. 24 University of Michigan women's soccer team fell to No. 18 Connecticut 5-0 in the third round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday (Nov. 23) at Morrone Stadium. The Wolverines, who were outshot 20-10 in the game, gave up two early goals in the first half and allowed three second-half goals in the loss.

The Huskies got on the scoreboard about five minutes into the game, as Brittany Barakat took a cross from Jessica Gjersten and beat her defender on the left side before putting the ball into the lower right corner past freshman goalkeeper Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic HS). Connecticut nearly increased its lead two minutes later, but Nikki Cross' attempt off a corner kick went wide of the net.

Michigan looked to even the score with 36:30 left in the half, but freshman Katelin Spencer's (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) shot in front off a restart went wide of the left post. Two minutes later, Tuura made a huge diving save on a blast from Meghan Schnur to keep U-M within reach.

The Wolverines were awarded with another restart after a Huskie foul with under 27 minutes remaining until the break, but senior Stephanie Chavez (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood HS) just missed a header at the far post and the ball sailed out of play.

Connecticut went up 2-0 with 19:04 left in the first half, as Cross collected a pass from Kristen Graczyk and was headed in all alone toward the U-M net. Cross was able to draw Tuura out of the goal before putting it past the Michigan keeper and into the wide-open net.

Connecticut finished the first 45 minutes with a 9-2 advantage in shots. Tuura collected two first-half saves, while Erin Rice made one stop for the Huskies.

U-M got a great chance to cut the deficit, as Kramer took the opening ball of the second half and moved down to the top of the Connecticut box before being fouled. The ensuing kick from junior Robyn Vince (Holt, Mich./Holt HS) was on target, but Rice was able to jump up and snag the ball out of the air to keep Michigan scoreless. Seconds later, freshman Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa HS) took a cross up the left side, but she was unable to get a good position and Rice came out and made the block.

The Huskies added to their lead with about 20 minutes left in the game, with Graczyk finding a cutting Jennifer Sullivan, who put a shot from the left side of the box into the far corner of the goal to put Connecticut up 3-0.

Eight minutes later, the Huskies went up 4-0, as Graczyk collected a pass from Gina Merchant in front, turned and put the ball past reserve goalkeeper Suzie Grech (Narberth, Pa./The Shipley School). Graczyk tallied another goal just four minutes later, converting on a free kick from the top of the box to put Connecticut on top 5-0 with 8:51 to play.

The Wolverines were unable to break the Huskie defense in the remaining minutes, and head coach Debbie Rademacher gave seniors Shannon Reid (Centerville, Ohio/Archbishop Alter HS) and Nicole D'Hondt (Grosse Pointe, Mich./South HS) time on the field in their final career game at U-M.

Michigan finishes the season at 11-8-6, while Connecticut (13-5-3) will move on to face Brigham Young in the quarterfinal round next weekend (Nov. 28-30).

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Michigan	0	0	0
Connecticut	2	3	5

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- UConn, Brittany Barakat, 4:07 (Jessica Gjersten)
1st -- UConn, Nikki Cross, 25:57 (Kristen Graczyk)
2nd -- UConn, Jennifer Sullivan, 69:49 (Graczyk)
2nd -- UConn, Graczyk, 77:38 (Gjersten)
2nd -- UConn, Graczyk, 81:09 (unassisted)

Shots: U-M 10, UConn 20
Saves: U-M 4 (Megan Tuura 3, Suzie Grech 1), UConn 5 (Erin Rice)
Corner Kicks: U-M 1, UConn 6
Fouls: U-M 10, UConn 20
Cards: None

Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423