Michigan
9-6-6, 4-2-4
Wisconsin
10-9-2, 4-6-0
Dwyer, Defense Push Wolverines into Big Ten Title Game
11/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team advanced to the championship game of the 2003 Big Ten Tournament by defeating No. 8 seed Wisconsin 1-0 in the blistering cold Friday night (Nov. 7) at the McClimon Soccer Complex. Junior Theresa Dwyer (Metairie, La./Mount Carmel Academy) scored the lone goal of the game in the final minutes of the first half, and the U-M defense stifled any Badger attempt at a tying goal in the second frame. Freshman keeper Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholis HS) did not face a single shot on goal for the entire 90 minutes.
| | Dwyer's three career goals have all been game-winners. |
In the 27th minute, senior Stephanie Chavez (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood HS) made a cross to junior Laura Tanchon (Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS), who chipped the ball over the head of Badger goalkeeper Stefani Szczechowski, but the shot sailed just high over the crossbar and out of play.
Wisconsin's only legitimate chance on offense came around the 34th minute, as Lindsey Walker made a cross to Rachael Hansen, but her header was just wide right.
Two minutes later, the Wolverines were pressuring down on Wisconsin's end. Sophomore Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South HS) gained possession of the ball inside the left corner of the box and sent a shot on target, but the ball fell into the arms of Szczechowski.
With time winding down on the first-half clock, the Wolverines were threatening down on the left side of Wisconsin's end. Dwyer chased a ball down the left side and made a cross back to Heaton. Dwyer stuck with the play and cut toward the right endline, where Heaton fed the ball back to her. Dwyer corralled the pass and lofted a shot near the far post, where the ball deflected off the upper post and back into the net to put Michigan up 1-0 with 2:36 left until the break.
Szczechowski finished the half with two saves, while Tuura was not challenged with a shot in the first 45 minutes.
The Wolverines came out strong and dominated the first several minutes of the second half. In the 49th minute, sophomore Stephanie Boyles (Arvada, Colo./Pomona HS) sent a nice through ball to a Chavez, who took the ball in stride and put it just wide left of the goal. Minutes later, Dwyer looked to put the Wolverines up by two goals, but her strike in front was stopped by Szeczechowski.
The Maize and Blue continued the offensive intensity, as Kleinholz collected a long serve on the left side, but her attempt fell just shy of the far post. The Wolverines would not let down their guard, as freshman Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa HS) juked out her defender inside the box and blasted a shot that was high left of the goal.
The Badgers stepped it up in the waning minutes of the game, as Tuura had to come out and make a diving stop before a Wisconsin forward could get to the ball. Tuura could not get a firm grasp on the ball, as it was deflected toward the net. Fortunately, sophomore Whitney Kjar (Sandy, Utah/Skyline HS) was able to catch up with the ball and clear it out.
Time eventually ran out on Wisconsin, as the Wolverine defense ended up allowing just one shot in the final 45 minutes.
Michigan (9-6-6) will meet No. 2 seed Illinois in the championship game on Sunday (Nov. 9). The game is set to start at 1 p.m. CST at the McClimon Soccer Complex and will be broadcast by College Sports Television.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Theresa Dwyer, 42:24 (Therese Heaton)
Shots: U-M 11, UW 6
Saves: U-M 0 (Megan Tuura), UW 4 (Stefani Szczechowski 3, Team 1)
Corner Kicks: U-M 3, UW 7
Fouls: U-M 10, UW 11
Cards: None
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the game ... "At the beginning it was back and forth, but as the game wore on, we just got better and better. We had the wind in the first half, and we didn't get much advantage off of it except with the goal at the end. We were expecting a huge push from Wisconsin in the second half and we possessed the ball to counter that. I was really proud of the way the team played tonight. I give credit to the defense, they played strong and they were organized. Wisconsin is a very dangerous offensive team and we just rose to the challenge."
On what U-M can expect from Illinois in the final ... "They have some very fast and dominant players. We have to make sure that we control their front line. If we can just keep playing the way we've been playing, we know it's going to be a great game."
N O T E S
Dwyer's goal was her first of the season and the third of her career. All three of those goals have been game-winners. In 39 career games, Dwyer has recorded three goals and three assists for nine points.
Heaton's assist was her third of the season and the seventh of her career. In 45 career games, Heaton has totaled 12 goals and and seven assists for 31 points.
The Wolverines will make their fourth appearance in the championship final of the Big Ten Tournament. U-M earned a championship in 1997 with a 1-0 overtime defeat of Northwestern and another title in 1999 with a 4-2 victory over Penn State. The Nittany Lions avenged the loss with a 1-0 triple-overtime win over Michigan the following year.
Michigan improves its all-time record against Wisconsin to 5-7-2.
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Theresa Dwyer (1)
Assisted By: Therese Heaton
shot from end line at difficult angle in
42:24
