Wolverines Drop Big Ten Semifinal Match at Penn State

Friday, November 3

State College, Pa.

7:30 PM

Michigan

9-7-3 *4-3-3

Penn State

14-4-3 *8-1-1

Michigan

Penn State

Wolverines Drop Big Ten Semifinal Match at Penn State

11/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Matt Baumer

Site: State College, Pa. (Jeffrey Field)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (Semifinals)
Score: #12 Penn State 2, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (9-7-5), PSU (14-4-3)
Next U-M Event: TBA

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team fell 2-0 to host and top-seeded Penn State on Friday night (Nov. 3) at Jeffrey Field, eliminating the Wolverines from the Big Ten Tournament. Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic) posted a season-high 11 saves and U-M was outshot 27-7. For her 15-save performance in two tournament matches, Tuura was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament team.

Michigan earned a quick shot inside the first minute when Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) sailed one on goal from long range that Penn State goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher snagged. Tuura stayed aware in the first portion of the first half, jumping on numerous Penn State long balls to end opponent scoring threats.

The Wolverines kept the Nittany Lions at bay as play continued and were rewarded with a number of free kicks. In the 19th minute, a long ball went directly to the head of Emily Kalmbach (Coto de Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic), but her header attempt was redirected wide.

Lindsey Cottrell (Kalamazoo, Mich./Central) and Tuura teamed up to turn away Penn State's dangerous offensive attempts in the first. Cottrell stayed on a PSU forward in a one-on-one in the 26th minute and slowed down a shot for Tuura to get her hands on. Minutes later, a long ball nearly sailed to an open PSU attacker at the far post, but Tuura came out aggressively and snared the pass. Tuura made six saves in the first stanza, allowing Michigan to head into the halftime tied 0-0.

Penn State, ranked 12th in the NSCAA/adidas poll, came close to taking the lead early in the second half on a wild scramble following a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. Tuura dove and stopped Carly Bedesem's set piece, but the ball squirted out into the middle of the box. The Lion's first shot hit the crossbar. Michigan's defense stayed in front of the goal line and continued to block away PSU shots before Coffman finally cleared the ball out of danger.

Michigan fell behind 1-0 in the 55th minute on a Penn State corner. Bedesem's service went to the near post and Jessie Davis headed it off the top of the bar and in, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead at 54:58.

U-M responded immediately with offensive pressure as Melissa Dobbyn (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) set up Coffman from 15 yards out, but her right-footed shot was saved. Penn State's counterattack created a 2-0 lead on another restart kick at 57:30. The Lions served the ball over the U-M defense, which attempted to set an offside trap. The ball went right to Ashley Myers, who directed the service past Tuura.

A Michigan free kick just after the Lions' second goal set up a header for Dobbyn inside the box, but her attempt sailed high into Naeher's hands. Tuura made her 10th save of the game a bit later on a liner from Aubrey Aden-Buie, diving for the shot headed for the far right post.

Dobbyn created Michigan's best chance in the 70th minute when she created space inside the box and ripped a left-foot shot just wide of the post.

Michigan will now wait for the NCAA Tournament selection show Monday (Nov. 6) to learn its postseason fate. The 64-team field will be announced between 3-4 p.m. EST on ESPNews.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Michigan	0	0	0
Penn State	0	2	2

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- PSU, Jessie Davis, 54:58 (Carly Bedesem)
2nd -- PSU, Ashley Myers, 57:30 (Davis)

Shots: U-M 7, PSU 28
Shots on Goal: U-M 3, PSU 13
Saves: U-M 11 (Megan Tuura), PSU 3 (Alyssa Naeher)
Corner Kicks: U-M 0, PSU 7
Fouls: U-M 13, PSU 10
Cards: U-M, Emily Kalmbach, 49:03 (yellow)

NOTES

• Michigan finishes the Big Ten Tournament having allowed just three first-half goals all season. U-M allowed just 20 total goals, equaling the program record for goals allowed in a season set in 1994 and 2002. While this season's squad posted the mark in 21 games, the 1994 team earned the record in 19 games and the 2002 team played in 24 matches.

• Senior Megan Tuura's 11-save effort gives her 15 in the past two games. She now has 318 saves in her career, placing her 10 shy of Carissa Stewart, who holds the top spot on Michigan's career saves list. Tuura's 11-save performance is one shy of her career high, set at Kansas last season.

• Seniors Katelin Spencer and Judy Coffman completed the weekend playing in 87 career games, tying them for 10th all-time in career games played in program history. Spencer's 87 starts rank fourth all-time on the career starts list.

• Junior Melissa Dobbyn's eight shots this weekend give her 92 this season, which is the second-highest total in any season in program history. She is two shots shy of Kacy Beitel's program-record 94 in 2000.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On tonight's contest ... "Penn State came out pretty motivated to play us. They were at home. Last year, we upset them and they haven't been out of the first round in a few years. They put together a really strong performance. For us, we struggled to get the offense going. We had a tough game last night and I think fatigue was a factor."

On the stellar play of goalkeeper Megan Tuura ... "She was the reason why we kept Penn State to two goals. She made some unbelievable saves and has been solid as a rock for four years. She has really kept us in some big games. We are definitely going to miss her."

On her evaluation of the season ... "We are crossing our fingers for the NCAA Tournament. To face some adversity this season and win some games, especially down the home stretch with different players contributing. I am really happy with how the season has gone."

U-M Senior Goalkeeper Megan Tuura
On her 11-save performance against the No. 12 team in the nation ... "It was hard. Going out there, I just try to do my best. The theme of my year this year is to give 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. I wrote it on my wrist before every practice and every game. I felt like I gave 100 percent and there wasn't much else I could do. It is still frustrating that we lost and that this may be my last game ever."

On earning Big Ten All-Tournament honors ... "It means a lot. It is great to be recognized for the effort you put in. I think this is the best I have ever played in my life so it's nice to get some recognition for that."