Michigan
12-7-2, 6-3-2
Penn State
15-3-2, 8-2-1
U-M Bows Out of B1G Tourney in Semifinal Battle at No. 9 Penn State
11/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
» After being outshot 8-2 in the first half, Michigan held a 10-5 advantage in shots in the second half.
» Penn State's Frannie Crouse scored the game's only goal in the 62nd minute.
» Michigan was eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament in the program's 12th appearance in the semifinals and will now wait to see if it will earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Site: State College, Pa. (Jeffrey Field)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (Semifinals)
Score: #9 Penn State 1, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (12-7-2), PSU (15-3-2)
Attendance: 778
Next U-M Event: Monday, Nov. 9 -- NCAA Selection Show (NCAA.com), 4:30 p.m.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The fifth-seeded University of Michigan women's soccer team was eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament after being edged, 1-0, by the top seed, No. 9 Penn State, in a hard-fought semifinal match on Friday (Nov. 6) at PSU's Jeffrey Field.
With junior forward Nicky Waldeck playing at the top of Michigan's 5-4-1 formation, Waldeck produced both of U-M's shots in the first half. The first attempt came in the third minute from the top of the penalty box and was scooped up by Penn State goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom. In the 33rd minute, junior defender Anna Soccorsi played a long ball over the top to Waldeck, who brought the ball to the turf, took a couples touches into the 18 and ripped a right-footed shot from the right side, but Eckerstrom made the stop.
The Nittany Lions led 8-2 in shots at the break, but the majority of their chances came from outside the penalty box, as Michigan's defensive formation kept them away from the goal.
The Maize and Blue came out slightly more offensive minded in the second half and pushed more players up top. Michigan got off three shots in the first two minutes of the second half, including a Waldeck header inside the six-yard box that sailed over the crossbar.
Penn State eventually broke the tie in the 62nd minute as a Frannie Crouse cross from the left side outside the penalty box bent toward the goal and went over the head of U-M goalkeeper Megan Hinz to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 advantage.
Junior/sophomore Ani Sarkisian created two chances in the 73rd and 75th minutes from outside the box, but both went just high of the target.
Michigan outshot Penn State, 10-5, in the second half and was slightly edged, 13-12, in total shots. Hinz made three saves on the night.
"At the end of the day, Penn State had no dangerous chances in the box and just a handful of shots from outside the box," said head coach Greg Ryan. "In terms of defending, I thought we were fantastic -- our organization, discipline and intensity -- so I'm very, very proud of the girls. I think this game is a confidence-builder for our team, and hopefully we're fortunate enough to get into the NCAA Tournament."
The Wolverines now wait to see if they will earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Show will take place on Monday (Nov. 9) at 4:30 p.m. It will be shown live on NCAA.com.
Team Stats
Crouse, Frannie (8)
Assisted By: Jean, Ellie
left-footed strike from left side of fie
61:30
