Michigan
9-4-1, 4-1-1B1G
Northwestern
9-3-2, 3-2-1B1G
Harris' Long-Range Goal Helps U-M Take Down No. 22 Northwestern
10/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
» Corinne Harris scored the game's only goal in the 35th minute, marking her second straight game with a goal.
» Michigan had 18 shots and allowed seven, including just three on goal, which goalkeeper Megan Hinz saved.
» The win marks U-M's first over a ranked opponent this season and moves the Wolverines to 4-1-1 in Big Ten play. U-M and NU were tied for second in the conference standings heading into tonight's match.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 1, #22 Northwestern 0
Records: U-M (9-4-1, 4-1-1 Big Ten), NU (9-3-2, 3-2-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 791
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Illinois (U-M Soccer Stadium), 2 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior Corinne Harris scored a highlight-reel goal in the 35th minute against No. 22 Northwestern to help the University of Michigan women's soccer team earn its first win over a ranked opponent, 1-0, on Thursday (Oct. 8) at U-M Soccer Stadium. With the win, U-M improved to 9-4-1 overall and 4-1-1 in Big Ten play, which is key for Michigan, as it was tied for second place in the Big Ten with Northwestern heading into tonight's match.
Corinne Harris
The shutout marks the Wolverines' sixth of the season and fourth in Big Ten play, as well as the third of the season for U-M goalkeeper Megan Hinz. Michigan outshot its opponent for the 12th time this season by an 18-7 margin and allowed just three of those shots on goal. The Wolverines also held a 9-3 advantage in corner kicks.
"It was an amazing effort all night long, from the first whistle to the last," said head coach Greg Ryan. "There was nothing but positive energy. We were relentless in our attacking, and we were so organized in our defending that we just never gave up anything."
Michigan nearly got on the board in the second minute of play, as junior Nicky Waldeck put a hard left-footed shot on net, but Northwestern keeper Lauren Clem just got a glove on it to push it over the cross bar.
Michigan kept the pressure on and eventually broke the tie in the 35th minute when senior Christina Murillo played a long ball to the left flank in the attacking third, where freshman Reilly Martin settled the ball and laid it off to Harris. The senior captain took a touch and fired from 25 yards out, putting the ball just under the cross bar in the upper right 90. Her second straight game with a goal gave the Maize and Blue a 1-0 lead at 34:15.
"We've been talking about upperclassmen stepping up and finding goals and assists because this is the end for us, so it was really nice to get that goal today," said Harris. "It was a great team win overall, and that goal would not have happened without the defense playing awesome and our midfielders and forwards doing their job well, so it was a great team effort."
The Wolverines took their 1-0 lead into the half and also led 9-3 in shots and 6-1 in corner kicks after the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, Michigan's attack kept up the pressure, while its defense allowed just four shots, including two on frame. In the 64th minute, junior/sophomore Ani Sarkisian found herself one on one with Wildcat keeper Lauren Clem, but Clem came out to cut off Sarkisian's angle and tipped the ball out of bounds for a U-M corner. Murillo served the corner to the back post, where Waldeck's header went just wide.
Michigan's sixth shutout of the season was spearheaded by Hinz and its back line of Murillo, juniors Madisson Lewis and Anna Soccorsi, and senior Christina Ordonez, who made a big impact coming off the bench.
"Defense has been our mantra -- concede nothing, and we'll find goals and find a way to win," added Ryan. "That is our formula, and we're going to stick with it. I'm really proud of this team."
The Wolverines will remain at home to host Illinois on Sunday (Oct. 11) at 2 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium. In conjunction with Michigan's homecoming weekend, the women's soccer program will welcome more than a dozen alumni back to campus for its annual alumni day. The game can be seen live online via BTN Plus.
Team Stats
Harris, Corinne (3)
Assisted By: Martin, Reilly
from 25 yards, under cross bar
34:15
