Wolverines Earn Dramatic OT Comeback against No. 16 Iowa

Sunday, October 16

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

(9-6, 4-3B1G)

Iowa

(10-6, 2-4B1G)

OT 2

Iowa

Michigan

Wolverines Earn Dramatic OT Comeback against No. 16 Iowa

10/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

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By: Leah Howard

» No. 12 Michigan rallied to defeat No. 16 Iowa, 2-1, on Meg Dowthwaite's game-winner at 82:29 in overtime.
» With U-M trailing, 1-0, after halftime, Carly Bennett netted the equalizer less than a minute into the second half, at 35:57.
» Goalkeeper Sam Swenson posted a season-high 10 saves, including a one off a penalty stroke with less than 12 minutes remaining in regulation.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: #12 Michigan 2, #16 Iowa 1 (OT)
Records: U-M (9-6, 4-3 Big Ten), Iowa (10-6, 2-4 Big Ten)
Next U-M Match: Friday, Oct. 21 -- at Northwestern (Evanston, Ill.), 3 p.m. CDT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Freshman Meg Dowthwaite scored the overtime game-winner at the 82:29 mark, propelling the No. 12-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team to a 2-1 comeback victory against No. 16 Iowa on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 16) at Phyllis Ocker Field. The win is the Wolverines' third over a ranked opponent this season.

Senior Courtney Enge created the opportunity that led to the game-winning tally, stealing the ball at her own 25, taking it nearly 75 yards up the left sideline and finding Dowthwaite all alone in the Iowa circle. The Wolverine rookie dribbled in, pulling Hawkeye goalkeeper Alexandra Pecora out before taking to her reverse stick to roofing a shot to the top shelf of the cage. It marks Dowthwaite's fourth goal of the season and first career game-winner.

Michigan trailed, 1-0, at halftime but scored less than a minute into the second half, at the 35:57 mark, to initiate its rally. Senior/junior Carly Bennett scored the equalizer, accepting a goalmouth pass from senior/junior Allie Sardo and tipping it in from the left post for her fifth marker of the season.

The Wolverines appeared to have another goal midway through the second half when sophomore Emma Way, after inserting on a penalty corner, got the ball on the left post and knocked it, audibly, against the right sideboard. Michigan challenged the no-call, but the decision was upheld.

Junior Sam Swenson posted a season-high 10 saves in the Wolverine cage, none more dramatic than her stop on an Iowa penalty stroke with 11:31 remaining in regulation. Chandler Ackers took the shot to the right side, and Swenson swallowed it up five-hole to keep the ball from crossing the line.

The Hawkeyes' lone goal came at 26:47 on a shot from Natalie Cafone at the top of the circle, where she accepted a pass, turned and fired one to the board.

Iowa outshot the Wolverines, 18-14, while corners were even at 5-5. Michigan held the advantage in overtime, however, with three shots to Iowa's none. Hawkeye goalkeeper Alexandra Pecora earned six saves, while Katie Birch tallied a defensive save on a high shot in the second half.

Tweet of the Game

GOAL MICHIGAN!!! 82:29. Dowthwaite gets pass all alone in the circle, pulls GK out, then sends reverse shot high. Assist from Enge. 2-1 U-M.

-- Michigan FieldHockey (@umichfldhockey) October 16, 2016

The Wolverines will wrap up Big Ten Conference play on the road next Friday (Oct. 21), heading to Evanston, Illinois, to face No. 9 Northwestern at 3 p.m. CDT at Lakeside Field.