Michigan
1-0-0
Detroit
0-1-0
Wolverines Christen New Stadium With Season-Opening Win Over Detroit
8/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 20, 2010
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 3, Detroit 1
Records: U-M (1-0-0), Detroit (0-1-0)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Aug. 22 -- vs. Eastern Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m.
ANN ABROR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team inaugurated its new home with a 3-1 victory over Detroit on Friday evening (Aug. 20) inside the brand new U-M Soccer Stadium. The triumph is U-M's first season-opening win since 2002.
Two stars of the freshman class were on display, as Tori McCombs (Londonderry, N.H./Londonderry) netted the first two goals and Nkem Ezurike (Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia/Sackville) added another, all coming in the second half.
It was Detroit that struck first, scoring in the 12th minute off a corner kick to give the Titans an early 1-0 advantage.
Michigan tied the match at 1-1 in the 53rd minute when McCombs put one in the back of the net off a perfectly placed cross from sophomore Clare Stachel (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central). McCombs nearly struck again, attempting two shots at point-blank range, the first of which was blocked by Detroit keeper Nora Abolins. The ball came back to McCombs on the rebound, but her ensuing chance was ripped wide left of the goal.
Michigan added two insurance goals in the final minutes of the match seal the win. McCombs and Stachel hooked up again in the 83rd minute, as the rookie took the cross from the right side of the field and shot into the upper-right portion of the goal for the game-winner. Ezurike netted the final goal, in the 87th minute, scoring off a 35-yard free kick from senior Amanda Bowery (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester). The Michigan defense did not allow a Detroit shot in the second half.
The Wolverines return to the stadium on Sunday (Aug. 22) to host Eastern Michigan at 7 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | F |
| Detroit | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Michigan | 0 | 3 | 3 |
1st -- DET, Nina Carter, 11:59 (Sarah Dzuris)
2nd -- U-M, Tori McCombs, 53:35 (Clare Stachel)
3rd -- U-M, McCombs, 82:50 (Stachel)
4th - U-M, Nkem Ezurike, 86:04 (Amanda Bowery)
Shots: U-M 22, DET 3
Shots on Goal: U-M 8, DET 1
Saves: U-M 0 (Kopmeyer), DET 5 (Abolins)
Corner Kicks: U-M 6, DET 2
Fouls: U-M 9, DET 10
Cards: DET, Abby McCollum, 44:13 (Yellow); DET, Alauna Pierce, 66:26 (Yellow); U-M Nkem Ezurike, 66:21 (Yellow)
• Tonight's game was the first contest held inside the U-M Soccer Stadium. U-M also had the honor of opening the U-M Soccer Complex, facing Penn State on Oct. 10, 2008.
• Freshmen Nkem Ezurike, Kayla Mannino, Tori McCombs, Meghan Toohey and Shelina Zadorsky made their collegiate debuts, starting in their first career game. Freshmen Shelby Chambers-Garcia and Shelby Murphy also made their first career appearances, coming off the bench.
• Michigan improved to 6-6-5 all-time in season-opening contests and 9-5-3 in home openers.
• Michigan got its first opening day win since 2002 when it defeated No. 13 Florida, 2-1, on the U-M Soccer Field. The Wolverines were 0-3-4 between opening-game victories.
• The Wolverines upped their record against Detroit to 7-2-0 all-time.
• The Maize and Blue upped its record against teams from the state of Michigan to 6-0-3 under third year head coach Greg Ryan.
• All three of Michigan's goals came in the second half, and all were by freshmen.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Greg Ryan
On the win against Detroit ... "We went in at halftime and pushed everybody forward. We didn't play great defense on their corner kick and knew they were going to control the ball by keeping a lot of people back. We knew we were going to have to fight through a lot of different people to score a goal. Tori McCombs had a fantastic first game as a freshman scoring two, and Nkem is such a handful up top. Clare had a couple of really nice assists on those goals, as well."
On the brand-new U-M Soccer Stadium ... "It's just amazing. I think this is a great way to open our stadium and it was a great atmosphere here tonight. This is one of the top college soccer stadiums in the country. For us to be able to come out and win our first match on our home field is very special for our girls and is a great start for the 2010 season."
On the impact the freshmen made ... "We have so many freshmen playing right now, and we are asking them to step up and take on scoring roles, game-winning roles. By halftime, they weren't afraid anymore, and I think you saw the results out there tonight. I'm just really happy because this is how freshmen mature. It's a good start for them."
U-M Freshman Tori McCombs
On her first game in a Michigan uniform ... "I think everyone was nervous about it. We've been working our butts off with triple sessions the past two weeks and then going down to single sessions this week. But we were ready to do well in the stadium, and with a big crowd behind us, our adrenaline was pumping."
U-M Senior Jackie Carron
On the win ... "The atmosphere was so great. The fans were awesome and you could tell everyone in here was excited. The energy we had allowed us to pressure them the whole game. It was a big win."
Contact: Ryan Sosin (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
CARTER, Nina (1)
Assisted By: DZURIS, Sarah
off of a corner in box volleyed into top
11:59
McCombs, Tori (1)
Assisted By: Stachel, Clare
cross into box into right side of net
53:35
McCombs, Tori (2)
Assisted By: Stachel, Clare
cross from the right into the right side
82:50
Ezurike, Nkem (1)
Assisted By: Bowery, Amanda
header into net off of free kick from 35
86:04
