Early Goal Holds Up as U-M Shuts Out No. 9 Stanford

Sunday, October 11

Evanston, Ill.

Noon CT

Michigan

(11-3)

Stanford

(9-4)

Stanford

Michigan

Sam Swenson

10/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Leah Howard

» Shannon Scavelli scored the game-winner at 15:44 for her team-best and career-high eighth goal of the season.
» Goalkeeper Sam Swenson earned four saves for U-M's sixth shutout of the season and fourth in five games.
» Despite being down a player after late back-to-back cards, Michigan did not allow a Stanford shot for the final 15 minutes of the game.

Site: Evanston, Ill. (Lakeside Field)
Score: #16 Michigan 1, #9 Stanford 0
Records: U-M (11-3), Stanford (9-4)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 16 -- at Northwestern (Evanston, Ill.), 3 p.m. CDT

EVANSTON, Ill. -- The No. 16-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team claimed its second shutout win over a ranked opponent in as many games this weekend, battling to a 1-0 decision over No. 9 Stanford on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 11) at Northwestern's Lakeside Field. The Wolverines have earned shutouts in four of their last five games.

"It was a great battle," said head coach Marcia Pankratz. "Stanford is a strong team. They were giving us a lot of hard pressure and came out with a different press than expected, so we had to adjust our breakout accordingly. I thought we did a great job on the fly. We really hustled today, put great pressure on the ball and played with a lot of grit and tenacity. I'm proud of them."

Senior Shannon Scavelli scored the game's only goal at the 15:44 mark, getting her stick on a centering pass from junior Courtney Enge and redirecting into the Stanford cage. Enge used her speed to create the opportunity, carrying the ball down the left side of the field and into the circle before dishing it to Scavelli in front. It was Scavelli's team-best and career-high eighth goal of the season and her third game-winner.

Stanford gained some momentum after the Wolverine goal, drawing a pair of corners midway through the first half, but U-M's defense withstood the barrage. Sophomore goalkeeper Sam Swenson made a spectacular blocker save on the latter corner attempt.

Michigan put the ball in the Cardinal cage again on its first corner opportunity of the first half, but the goal was waved off when deemed too high.

The Wolverines largely carried play in the second half after coming out firing with two Scavelli shots on goal in the opening minute. Stanford's best opportunity came on back-to-back penalty corners with sophomore Katie Trombetta off with a yellow card, but Michigan successfully killed the five-minute Cardinal man advantage and regained control.

Michigan was again down a player late in the game after consecutive cards to Enge but did not allow another Stanford shot for the final 15 minutes of the game.

The Wolverines outshot the Cardinal, 9-7, but were outcornered, 4-2. Swenson earned four saves for her third complete-game shutout of the season, while Dulcie Davies stopped five of six U-M shots on goal.

After dropping its opening two games of the season, Michigan has claimed 11 of its last 12, including three against ranked opponents.

Michigan will return to Evanston, Illinois, next Friday (Oct. 16) to face Northwestern -- another ranked opponent -- at 3 p.m. CDT at Lakeside Field before heading to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, on Sunday (Oct. 18) to take on Central Michigan at noon at the CMU Field Hockey Complex.

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