Michigan
4-2
San Diego State
1-3
Solid Defensive Play Boosts Wolverines to Win at SDSU
3/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
» Michigan scored the first three goals of the game and held a 7-2 lead at halftime, but SDSU outscored U-M, 4-3, in the second half, including two goals in the final two minutes of play.
» Strong play from U-M's defenders helped preserve the win, including Emily Braun (4 GB, 3 CT, 1 DC), Kelly Kubach (3 GB, 2 CT) and Margaret Metzger (2G GB, 1 CT).
» U-M's offense was paced by Tess Korten's four goals and one assist and Anna Schueler's three goals and one assist.
Site: San Diego, Calif. (Aztec Lacrosse Field)
Score: Michigan 10, San Diego State 6
Records: U-M (4-2), SDSU (1-3)
Attendance: 372
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 4 -- at USC (Los Angeles, Calif.), 3 p.m. PDT
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- The University of Michigan women's lacrosse team began competition on its 2016 spring trip with a 10-6 win at San Diego State on Tuesday (March 1) at Aztec Lacrosse Field. U-M improves to 4-2 on the season, which marks its best start in program history, and is now 6-0 all-time against opponents from the state of California.
Michigan's defense was the key to the game, as it allowed just six goals, with two coming in the final two minutes. The defense also caused nine turnovers and forced the Aztecs to go 9-for-14 on clear attempts.
Junior Emily Braun led the Maize and Blue defense with three caused turnovers, four ground balls and a draw control. Junior Kelly Kubach also added two caused turnovers and three ground balls, while Margaret Metzger recorded one caused turnover and two ground balls.
Junior Allison Silber (five saves) and freshman Mira Shane (four saves) split time evenly in the cage, and Silber earned the start and her first win of the season.
"Our defense won this game," said head coach Jennifer Ulehla. "We contained SDSU's three most threatening players, holding them to a few shots and zero goals. Specifically, defender Emily Braun was outstanding tonight, coming up big for our team when we needed it most."
Michigan won the opening draw and junior Anna Schueler scored just 33 seconds into the game on an assist from junior Kim Coughlan. The Wolverines quickly pushed their lead to 3-0 by the 21:05 mark on goals from junior Tess Korten and a second from Schueler, before San Diego State's Kristen Hickey notched the Aztec's first goal.
Korten was able to add two more goals by the 5:49 mark of the first half, registering her second straight first-half hat trick, to help Michigan take a 6-2 advantage. Junior Sophie duPhily added one more for the Wolverines before the half ended, as she exploded off a restart near the end line, faked a pass up top and curled around the crease for the score. DuPhily's goal gave U-M a 7-2 lead at the break.
Schueler started the scoring in the second half, receiving a pass from junior Lauren Oberlander as she cut through the eight-meter arc and finishing strong to complete her first hat trick of the season.
Following Schueler's goal, both teams were held scoreless for more than 17 minutes, before SDSU's Hickey notched her third goal of the game to make it 8-3 U-M with 7:59 remaining in the game. The two teams traded goals, and the Wolverines led 10-4 with 2:19 to play.
Down the stretch SDSU turned up the pressure and was able to force U-M into turnovers that led to two Aztec goals in the final 2:05 of the game. A San Diego State free-position goal with 1:15 left on the clock made it 10-6 Michigan, but that is as close as SDSU got.
"We are happy with the win but not satisfied with how we played," added Ulehla. "Our focus this week has been on defense and team chemistry. Our defense kept us in this game. Unfortunately, we didn't execute our game plan tonight. We will learn from this win and refocus tomorrow as we begin preparing for a great USC team on Friday."
Tweet of the Game
Thanks to all the Michigan fans who came all this way to cheer us on! #BestParentsEver #goblue pic.twitter.com/GSdcJZjx6p
-- Michigan Lacrosse (@umichwlax) March 2, 2016
The Wolverines will now head north to Los Angeles, California, for its second and final game of its 2016 spring trip. Michigan will take on No. 11 USC on Friday (March 4) at 3 p.m. PDT at McAlister Field.
