Michigan
5-5-4,1-2-2
Northwestern
7-6-1,3-2-1
U-M Earns Tough Point in Scoreless Tie at Northwestern
10/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Site: Evanston, Ill. (First and Stadium Multiplex)
Score: Michigan 0, Northwestern 0 (2OT)
Records: U-M (5-5-4, 1-2-2 Big Ten), Northwestern (7-6-1, 3-2-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 13 -- vs. Iowa (U-M Soccer Field), 7 p.m.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team held the shot advantage 13-9 and carried the play offensively, but the Wolverines could not bury numerous scoring chances and settled for a 0-0 draw against Northwestern Sunday afternoon (Oct. 8) at the Leonard B. Thomas Athletic Complex. Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic), who became the program leader in minutes played with 6,196, earned her fifth shutout of the season behind a stifling defense as she stopped three shots, including one in overtime.
The scoring opportunities were slim in the first half on both sides as the Wolverines' defense kept the Wildcats' speedy offense at bay. Michigan, playing against the wind, had its best chance on a Melissa Dobbyn (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) corner kick. Her service went high to Sarah Banco (Medfield, Mass./Noble and Greenough), who sent a header over the bar. Dobbyn, who created offense all day for Michigan, forced Northwestern to make three saves in the half, but none of her attempts found the back of the net and U-M carried a 7-1 shot lead into the second half.
Early in the second frame, Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) released Dobbyn on a breakaway following a glorious ball over the top. Dobbyn raced in alone and fired her shot just wide of the post. Minutes later, Coffman sent U-M's lone corner of the half to the far post to Katie Miler (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne), who just missed getting a foot on the ball.
Northwestern led in shots in the second 7-6, but none threatened the Michigan net and for the second straight match, the Wolverines went into overtime.
The Wildcats had the only opportunities in extra time, earning a shot on goal and three corners. Tuura and the Michigan defense smothered the chances, giving the Wolverines their second straight tie and seventh shutout of the season.
Michigan stays at home next weekend for two conference matches. U-M will take on Iowa on Friday night (Oct. 13, 7 p.m.) at the U-M Soccer Field.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | OT | OT | F |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northwestern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Shots: U-M 13, NU 9
Shots on Goal: U-M 6, NU 3
Saves: U-M 3 (Megan Tuura), NU 6 (Lauren Johnston)
Corner Kicks: U-M 5, NU 6
Fouls: U-M 11, NU 14
Cards: None
NOTES
• Megan Tuura allowed one goal in two games this weekend, improving her goals-against average for the season to 0.44. She also earned her fifth shutout of the year; the 18th of her career. Tuura is two shutouts shy of her career-best season high of seven, which she set as a sophomore.
• Megan Tuura became the program's all-time leader in minutes played. After playing 110 minutes in today's game, Tuura has 6,196 in her career.
• Melissa Dobbyn's four shots led the Wolverines. She has led Michigan in shots 11 times this season. Three of those occasions, she was tied with one or more other U-M players.
• The Wolverines collected their seventh shutout of the season, keeping pace with the school-record season of 2001 when Michigan posted 10 regular-season blankings and 12 overall.
• Following today's scoreless tie, Michigan has allowed just one first-half goal through 14 games.
• Kristin Thomas made her first career start in today's game.
• Erica Gordy made her first start of the season on defense.
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On today's scoreless draw ... It's disappointing because we had opportunities to score. Our team played hard and people were coming in and contributing. Our bench players have been phenomenal. We need to plug away because finishing hasnt come easy, but we are fighting and playing really well and staying tough defensively. I am not pleased with ties because we wished we would have put goals away, but we are playing good soccer."
On the road ahead ... "We need to stay positive. We are playing positive and keeping composed and finishing comes with composure. The margin of victory is so small in these games that we have to find a way to knock that ball in the net."
