Michigan
5-2-1
Illinois
7-1-0
Dobbyn, Tuura Lead Michigan to Upset of No. 11 Illinois
9/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 25 University of Michigan women's soccer team closed out its six-game homestand with a 1-0 upset of No. 11 Illinois on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 19) in front of 1,268 fans at the U-M Soccer Field. The Wolverines improved to 2-0 in league play and avenged their 2003 Big Ten Conference Tournament final loss to the Fighting Illini behind a first-half goal by freshman Melissa Dobbyn (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) and three saves by sophomore goalkeeper Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic HS).
Dobbyn recorded the lone goal of the game at 12:18 when she headed a ball that deflected off the foot of junior Therese Heaton (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South HS) past the reach of Illinois goalkeeper Leisha Alcia and into the upper right corner of the net to give Michigan an early 1-0 lead.
The Illini had an opportunity to even the score later in the first half, with Ella Maser getting behind the defense and heading in all alone toward Michigan's goal. Fortunately, sophomore Brenna Mulholland (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) hustled to the play and deflected Maser's shot into the waiting arms of Tuura.
Senior Laura Tanchon (Laguna, Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS) nearly gave the Wolverines a two-goal lead, but her shot off a rebound of her own direct kick was slapped up and over the crossbar by Alcia.
Michigan continued to pressure the Illinois defense early in the second half of action, as Dobbyn sent a long cross to sophomore Jamie Artsis (Chatsworth, Calif./Harvard-Westlake School) near the left side of the box, but her attempt at the near post was stopped by Alcia. Less than one minute later, Artsis served a perfect ball to Morgan at the far post, but Alcia was once again able to get a hand on the header.
It appeared that Illinois had tied the game with over 39 minutes left in the game, but Tara Hurless' goal was called back due to an offsides call.
Alcia kept the Illini in the game with a pair of big saves in the final 15 minutes of play, stopping a shot from just inside the box by sophomore Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) before slapping away a blast by Dobbyn eight minutes later.
Time eventually became a factor for Illinois, and the U-M defense supplied Tuura with great protection for the remaining minutes of the contest. The Illini, who got off just eight shots the entire game, had one last chance with a corner kick in the final minute, but the ball went untouched and sailed out of bounds.
The Wolverines (5-2-1, 2-0 Big Ten) continue conference play next weekend on the road. Michigan will visit Minnesota on Friday (Sept. 24) at 7 p.m. CDT in Minneapolis, Minn., before traveling to Iowa City, Iowa, on Sunday (Sept. 26) to face Iowa at 1 p.m. CDT.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Melissa Dobbyn, 12:18 (Therese Heaton)
Shots: U-M 14, UI 8
Saves: U-M 3 (Megan Tuura), UI 8 (Leisha Alcia)
Corner Kicks: U-M 5, UI 7
Fouls: U-M 14, UI 6
Cards: None
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On the magnitude of the win ... "It's our last home game for a couple weeks and it's against a Big Ten team that's ranked 11th in the country. There are a lot of great things that come out of this win. Illinois is one of the top teams and we were able to hold a one-goal lead where we didn't give up any goals on set pieces and other things. It's just a confidence-builder for us and just a great win to get at home."
Sophomore Goalkeeper Megan Tuura
On what this win means for the team ... "It's huge. Illinois is an incredibly good team. We lost to them in the Big Ten Tournament last year, which was upsetting. But today, we came out with a win and that was huge for us. They are a top-10 team and getting that win will put us back up in the national rankings where we belong."
N O T E S
With an assist on Melissa Dobbyn's goal, Therese Heaton extended her point streak to seven games. Prior to the game against the Illini, Heaton scored at least one goal in six straight games and is the first U-M player to accomplish the feat since Abby Crumpton (1999-2002), who scored seven times over a six-game stretch during the 2001 season. Heaton leads the team with 16 points on seven goals and two assists.
Melissa Dobbyn recorded her sixth goal in eight games and is second on the team with 14 points on six goals and two assists. It was her second game-winning goal of her career.
Megan Tuura collected her second shutout of the season and the seventh of her career.
Michigan evens its record to 2-2 against nationally ranked opponents this season.
The Wolverines improve their all-time record against Illinois to 7-3-1.
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Dobbyn, Melissa (6)
Assisted By: Heaton, Therese
GOAL by MICH Dobbyn, Melissa (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Heaton, Therese, goal number 6 for season.
12:18
