Top-Ranked Irish Use Second-Half Goals to Slip by U-M

Sunday, September 17

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

4-2-2

Notre Dame

8-0-0

Notre Dame

Michigan

Top-Ranked Irish Use Second-Half Goals to Slip by U-M

9/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Matt Baumer

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Score: #1 Notre Dame 2, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (4-2-2), Notre Dame (8-0)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, Sept. 21 -- vs. Oakland (U-M Soccer Field), 7 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Two second-half scores by No. 1-ranked Notre Dame led to a 2-0 loss for the University of Michigan women's soccer team on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 17) at U-M Soccer Field. Michigan responded to Notre Dame's first tally in the 57th minute, but Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa) could not quite put home a breakaway chance as the Wolverines (4-2-2) fell for just the second time this season.

In a physical and back-and-forth matchup, Michigan did not seemed fazed by a potent Notre Dame offense and traded chances with the Fighting Irish in a conservative first 20 minutes of play. Madison Gates (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) replaced Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic) in net following a Tuura injury, which occurred during Notre Dame's first scoring opportunity.

Gates was immediately tested as she read a quick play in the box on a Notre Dame corner and deflected a low shot out of traffic. The sophomore goalkeeper came up huge again minutes later when she dove and disrupted a centering pass to an open Irish forward from six yards out.

Michigan had its best chance in the 42nd minute on a corner, but Katie Bohard's (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) set piece sailed over all U-M offensive players, and the two teams went into halftime scoreless.

Notre Dame outshot the Maize and Blue 6-2 to begin the second half before breaking the scoreless tie at 56:19. Michele Weissenhofer collected a pass just inside the 18-yard box and placed a bender into the right side of the net to give the Irish a 1-0 lead. Michigan bounced right back, earning one shot on goal and two corners in the next 12 minutes of play.

Coffman appeared to be on her way to tying the score at 1-1 in the 72nd minute as Jamie Artsis (Chatsworth, Calif./Harvard-Westlake School) sent her free on a breakaway. Coffman deked Notre Dame goalkeeper Lauren Karas and ripped a low shot that Karas just got her toe on to push the shot wide. Michigan attempted to break through again, but Notre Dame put the game away with a goal in the final second of the 84th minute.

Michigan returns U-M Soccer Field for a Thursday night (Sept. 21) match against Oakland. Game time is 7 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Notre Dame	0	2	2
Michigan	0	0	0

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- ND, Michele Weissenhofer, 59:19 (Susan Pinnick)
2nd -- ND, Amanda Cinalli, 83:59 (Weissenhofer, Jen Buczkowski)

Shots: U-M 7, ND 22
Shots on Goal: U-M 3, ND 4
Saves: U-M 2 (Megan Tuura 0, Madison Gates 2), ND 3 (Lauren Karas)
Corner Kicks: U-M 3, ND 4
Fouls: U-M 11, ND 17
Cards: ND, Brittany Bock, 20:26 (yellow); ND, Kerri Hanks, 54:23 (yellow); U-M, Katelin Spencer, 87:10 (yellow)

NOTES

• Michigan has yet to allow a first-half goal in eight games this season.

• Senior Judy Coffman led the Wolverines in shots as she recorded four of U-M's seven in the game. The senior captain accounted for all three of Michigan's shots were on goal.

• Michigan allowed multiple goals in a game for the first time this season and for the first time in 10 regular-season games dating back to last season. Michigan last gave up multiple goals to another top-ranked and undefeated team in Penn State on Oct. 21, 2005.

• Sophomore Madison Gates made a season-best two saves in 69:34 of game action.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Debbie Rademacher
On responding strong to Notre Dame's first goal ... "Being down one goal, we didn't put our heads down. Had we put in the couple of opportunities we created, it could have changed the whole complexion of the game."

On goalkeeper Madison Gates ... "She came into the game on the spot and held on to balls right in the middle of a big game when it was really intense. She didn't miss a play and she was great for us."

On building off a well-played game against top-ranked Notre Dame ... "We learn from these non-conference opponents and learn from our mistakes. We also learn how we can improve each week. This game was a big gauge for us as we head into conference play."

U-M Sophomore Goalkeeper Madison Gates
On going into a game on the spot ... "It can be pretty hard, but after you have your first touch of the game then you are pretty much set. You are nervous at first, but after a save or a good goal kick, I feel comfortable and ready to go."

On making two key plays minutes after coming into the match ... "I had to be ready to make the big saves especially against the No. 1 team. They are a great team. We played awesome. Unfortunately, we just didn't put it away and put it together. We had so much heart in this game and it will come. Everyone just has to play their hardest and make the big plays."

U-M Senior/Junior Defender Emily Kalmbach
On matching Notre Dame's physical play ... "We stuck with them. We won just as many airballs as they did, if not more. We were just as physical and our fouls were right up with theirs. We competed well and we were never way down."

On allowing just four goals in the first eight games ... "We are playing well as a unit in the back. We just need to strengthen between the midfield and defense, picking up marks and communicating more."