Offensive Surge Gives Michigan Vital Victory Over Iowa

Friday, October 13

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:00 PM

Michigan

6-5-4, 2-2-2Big Ten

Iowa

5-9-1, 0-6-0Big Ten

Iowa

Michigan

Offensive Surge Gives Michigan Vital Victory Over Iowa

10/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Matt Baumer

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Score: Michigan 2, Iowa 1
Records: U-M (6-5-4, 2-2-2 Big Ten), Iowa (5-9-1, 0-6 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Oct. 15 -- vs. Illinois (U-M Soccer Field), 1 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Melissa Dobbyn's (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) nine-shot effort led the offensive surge as the University of Michigan women's soccer team improved to .500 (2-2-2) in Big Ten play, downing Iowa 2-1 Friday night (Oct. 13) at U-M Soccer Field. Katie Miler (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington and Kilbourne) and Katie Bohard (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) each scored, with Dobbyn adding the assist on Miler's game-winner in the 74th minute. The Maize and Blue outshot Iowa 25-9 on a blustery evening.

Michigan controlled possession all night with Dobbyn and Bohard combining to generate the offensive chances in the first half. After Dobbyn fired a shot just over the crossbar in the 22nd minute, Bohard took advantage of an Iowa giveaway, sending a through-ball to Dobbyn, who trickled a low shot inches wide of the post.

The two forwards were able to redeem themselves minutes later when Bohard raced down the right flank and ripped a cross low into the 18-yard box. Dobbyn's pressure on an Iowa defender allowed the ball to bounce through the penalty area, off the far post and in, giving U-M a 1-0 lead at 35:56.

Lindsey Cottrell (Kalamazoo, Mich./Central) squelched the Hawkeyes' best chance in the first frame when she defended a one-on-one, through-ball opportunity. Michigan went into halftime up just one goal despite a 10-3 shot advantage.

The Wolverines opened the second half with a glorious opportunity in the 51st minute. Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) ran onto a breakaway feed over the top and slammed a rocket off the crossbar from just inside the 18-yard box. Bohard nearly added to the lead three minutes later on a restart kick by Coffman, but she could not get a foot on the service.

Michigan finally made a chance count in the 74th minute, extending the lead to 2-0. Dobbyn dribbled through the midfield and lofted a pass over the top of the Hawkeye defense to a streaking Miler, who bent her shot low into the right corner of the net for the eventual game-winner.

Iowa halved the lead minutes later at 77:41. A Hawkeye set piece by Melisa Kaetterhenry sailed into the middle of the box to Kelsey Shaw, who headed a bouncer low into the net to move the score to 2-1.

U-M looked to tally the insurance marker in the 83rd minute with a flurry of offense in the box. Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton) picked up a loose ball in front of the Iowa net and fired a shot that was blocked. Lindsey MacDonald (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) one-timed the rebound low into the Iowa goalkeeper.

After defending a Hawkeye corner, Michigan counterattacked as Spencer juked a defender, setting up a stellar left-footed chance, but her shot -- headed for the upper corner -- skidded off the top of the crossbar. The U-M defense stayed tough in the final minutes to back the Wolverines to a 2-1 victory.

Michigan returns to the field to take on No. 24 Illinois on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 15, 1 p.m.) for the final home contest of the season at U-M Soccer Field. A Senior Day presentation will take place prior to kickoff.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Iowa	0	1	1
Michigan	1	1	2

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Katie Bohard, 35:56 (unassisted)
1st -- U-M, Katie Miler, 73:59 (Melissa Dobbyn)
2nd -- Iowa, Kelsey Shaw, 77:41 (Melisa Kaetterhenry)

Shots: U-M 25, Iowa 9
Shots on Goal: U-M 4, Iowa 3
Saves: U-M 2 (Megan Tuura), Iowa 3 (Ali Becker)
Corner Kicks: U-M 1, Iowa 1
Fouls: U-M 15, Iowa 14
Cards: None

NOTES

• Katie Bohard and Katie Miler each scored her second goal of the season. Miler's tally puts her in a tie for the team lead in game-winning scores with Judy Coffman as each athlete has tallied two game-clinchers this season.

• Katelin Spencer made the 81st start of her career tonight, which puts her in a tie with three others for sixth on Michigan's all-time games started list. Spencer and Judy Coffman are U-M's active leaders in games played with 81 apiece.

• Melissa Dobbyn earned her team-leading fifth assist of the season on Katie Miler's game-winner. Dobbyn has tallied the team's last two helpers. The junior striker also led the Wolverines in shots with nine.

• Kylie Neschke made her first start of the season in tonight's game.

• Michigan extended to 10 games its streak of not allowing a first-half goal at home in any regular-season contest, dating back to last season. Overall, the Wolverines have yielded just one first-half goal this season.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On getting contributions from other players with three starters out ... "The players that were asked to step in that had not seen much playing time are rising to the challenge and getting game experience. I am hoping as the season progresses that they get better and better, but I am very pleased with the contributions from everybody."

On the play of sophomore forward Katie Miler ... "She is very physical and gets knocked down a lot, but it seems like the more adversity she sees on the field, the more she gets the adrenaline going and comes back to make something happen on offense."

On Melissa Dobbyn creating chances despite a constant double team ... "Melissa can handle two defenders on her because she is strong on the ball and can get a cross off under pressure. When you are drawing two defenders, it takes one out from somewhere else and another player can get on the end of her pass."

On the state of the team heading into a match with No. 24 Illinois ... "We feel good. We have Illinois at home after a win. We have a lot of players playing well and we know Sunday is going to be a battle. We have faced a lot of great teams this year so we are not going to bunker in and we are going to play our game."

U-M Junior Forward Melissa Dobbyn
On contributing in ways other than scoring goals ... "I have been taking a lot of shots and having a lot of opportunities this year. The finishing part is what I am lacking, but I feel like I am creating. Since I am having a hard time finishing, I am concentrating on getting assists and playing good balls to other players who can finish. They are making good runs and doing a great job getting open."

On the feeling heading into a match with No. 24 Illinois ... "A win tonight was important. We need to start winning games towards the end to get into the Big Ten Tournament. We are ready for Illinois. They are a really good team but we are up to the challenge."