Offense Awakens in Wolverines' Shutout Victory at Fairfield

Sunday, September 6

Fairfield, Conn.

Noon

Michigan

(2-2)

Fairfield

(1-2)

Michigan

Fairfield University

Lauren Thomas

Offense Awakens in Wolverines' Shutout Victory at Fairfield

9/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Leah Howard

» Courtney Enge scored the game-winner for the second straight contest with a redirection goal off a penalty corner at 29:02.
» Michigan scored three goals in the second half. Freshman Emma Way netted her first collegiate goal to close out scoring at 62:17.
» Goalkeepers Sam Swenson and Chris Lueb combined for four saves in U-M's second straight shutout win.

Site: Fairfield, Conn. (University Field)
Score: #14 Michigan 4, Fairfield 0
Records: U-M (2-2), Fairfield (1-2)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Sept. 11 -- vs. Vermont (Phyllis Ocker Field), 6 p.m.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team netted a season-high four goals, including three in the second half, in a 4-0 win at Fairfield on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 6) at the Stags' University Field. The shutout victory marks the Wolverines' second in as many games.

"I'm proud of the way they played," said head coach Marcia Pankratz . "I think the second half of the game was a real confidence builder for us in terms of scoring. All four goals were beautiful and well executed. Hopefully, those will give us good confidence going forward. Defensively, it's always good to shut out another team. We're still going through the process of getting better each game, and we're looking forward to using this as a stepping stone for more improvement next weekend."

Junior Courtney Enge scored the game-winning goal -- her second of the weekend -- on another tip at the 29:02 mark. The Wolverines, who largely controlled the pace throughout the opening half, converted on their second penalty-corner opportunity of the game when Enge got her stick on senior Lauren Thomas' direct shot and redirected it past Stag goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett from the left post.

The Wolverines carried the momentum from the late goal into the second half, scoring in the aftermath of another penalty corner just 1:36 into the frame. Sophomore Katie Trombetta's direct shot was saved, but Michigan maintained possession as Thomas carried the ball to the left side of the circle and sent a long cross-cage reverse shot from the scoring arc. It is her first goal of the season.

Senior Shannon Scavelli also picked up her first goal of the season less than 10 minutes later, at the 44:30 mark. Freshman Lydia Sydnor stole the ball at the Fairfield 25, carried to the right side of the circle and fed a crossing pass back to Scavelli, who was rushing the front of the cage and tipped it in.

Fairfield claimed some momentum with a back-to-back penalty corners late, but the Wolverines turned away both -- not allowing a shot on goal -- before using a quick breakout up the field to net their final goal at the 62:17 mark. Freshman Emma Way pounced on a loose ball in front of the cage, backhanding it in for her first collegiate goal.

The Stags, who outcornered Michigan, 7-2, in the second half, drew one last penalty corner with time expired, but senior/junior Chris Lueb, who played the final 7:43, stopped the direct shot and forced the ball out of the circle to end the game.

Michigan outshot the Stags, 12-8, but was outcornered, 7-4, in the contest. Sophomore goalkeeper Sam Swenson and Lueb combined for four saves and the shutout win, while Fairfield's Bennett stopped four of eight U-M shots on goal.

The Wolverines will kick off a four-game homestand on Friday (Sept. 6), hosting Vermont at 6 p.m. at Phyllis Ocker Field. The Catamounts are coached by former Wolverine Kate [Dillon] Pfeifer. Admission is free for all Michigan home games.

Postgame Notes

• Freshman Emma Way is the second Wolverine to net her first collegiate goal this season, joining fellow freshman Leah Cardarelli.

• Sophomore goalkeeper Sam Swenson has not allowed a goal in her last 173:45 played, stretching back to the first half against Wake Forest.

• Michigan played all 25 members of its roster against Fairfield. Freshmen Marleise Emrhein and Regan Leavitt both made their collegiate debuts.

Postgame Quotes

U-M Senior Lauren Thomas
On U-M scoring a season-high four goals ... "We have good goal scorers on this team, and I think that showed through today. The more goals the merrier. It's definitely a good confidence builder. But we definitely need to keep working on it this week."

On the Wolverine defensive effort ... "We have a lot of experience in the backfield, and that's always going to be something that we pride ourselves on. Defense comes from the whole team not just the backfield. We have great experience in the goal cage. We practiced our corner defense quite a lot this week, just working on getting the ball out of the circle. That was a good improvement for us this weekend."