Michigan Outshoots Oakland But Drops Home Opener

Friday, September 5

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

0-2-1

Oakland

2-0-1

Oakland

Michigan

9/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team lost its second straight game Friday afternoon (Sept. 5), losing its home opener 1-0 to Oakland University in the Nike Challenge at the U-M Soccer Field. The Wolverines controlled the offensive intensity for a majority of the contest, outshooting the Golden Grizzlies 21-4, but Shelley Piccirillo's goal early in the first half proved to be the game-winner for OU.

Oakland's goal came on its first legitimate scoring chance of the game, as U-M senior goalkeeper Suzie Grech (Narberth, Pa./The Shipley School) was caught out of position in front and Piccirillo easily sent the ball into the lower left corner. Michigan only allowed two more Oakland shots in the first half, but the Wolverine offense was unable to put anything past Grizzlies goalkeeper Sarah Buckland.

Michigan came out in the second half and dominated on the offensive end, posting 13 second-half shots compared to Oakland's one. The Maize and Blue nearly tied the game five minutes into the second half as freshman Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa HS) sent a long pass to senior Erika Kleinholz (North Ridgeville, Ohio/Elyria Catholic HS), who just missed a header on the right side. Fifteen minutes later, sophomore Stephanie Boyles (Arvada, Colo./Pomona HS) found Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South HS) cutting to the net, but the sophomore forward's header went high right.

The Wolverines continued to pressure the OU defense, as a shot inside by senior Stephanie Chavez (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood HS) deflected off the goalkeeper and toward junor Kate Morgan (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty HS), who chipped the ball over the net.

U-M appeared to have tied the game with 11:42 to play, with Chavez taking a pass from sophomore Colleen McAndrews (St. Charles, Ill./East HS) and putting it past Buckland. However, the Wolverines were called offsides and Oakland escaped with the one-goal victory.

The Wolverines will look for their first victory of the season when they take on No. 15 Southern California on Sunday (Sept. 7) in the final day of the Nike Challenge. The match is slated to start at noon at U-M Soccer Field. USC played Marquette to a 0-0, double-overtime tie in today's opening game of the Nike Challenge.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Oakland	1	0	1
Michigan	0	0	0

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- Oakland, Shelley Piccirillo, 11:32 (unassisted)

Shots: U-M 21, OU 4
Saves: U-M 1 (Suzie Grech 1, Megan Tuura 0), OU 7 (Sarah Buckland)
Corner Kicks: U-M 9, OU 1
Fouls: U-M 12, OU 16
Cards: None

Q U O T E S

U-M Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the play of the freshmen ... "Megan Tuura and Lindsey Cottrell have been pleasant surprises for us so far this season. Katelin Spencer has also done a nice job; she is always working to get around the ball."

On the competition at the goalkeeper position ... "Megan (Tuura) is very competitive right now and is really fighting out there. Right now we are in a very comfortable situation because we have two great goalkeepers who are ready to contribute."

On Michigan's game against USC on Sunday ... "We're going to need to step it up physically if we want to come out on top."

N O T E S

Freshman goalkeeper Megan Tuura (Tucker Ga./St. Pius X Catholic HS) played the entire second half for Michigan. Tuura has not allowed a goal through two games (155:00 minutes) and has posted four saves on the season.

The last time Michigan lost two straight games was during the 2001 season, when U-M fell 3-2 to Loyola Marymount (Aug. 31) and 4-2 to California (Sept. 2) at the Cal Invitational.

Friday's game marks Oakland's first victory over the Wolverines. U-M still leads the all-time series 4-1-1.

Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423