Wolverines Suffer First Loss of Season to No. 4 UConn

Sunday, September 3

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

(3-1)

Connecticut

(3-0)

UConn

Michigan

Wolverines Suffer First Loss of Season to No. 4 UConn

9/3/2017 3:56:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» Michigan suffered its first loss of the 2017 season, falling to No. 4 UConn, 2-1, at Ocker Field.
» UConn scored twice late in the second half, converting on a penalty corner at 54:42 and subsequent stroke to break the scoreless tie.
» Meg Dowthwaite tallied her fifth goal of the season on U-M's first penalty corner at 66:27, but the Wolverine rally fell short.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: #4 Connecticut 2, #11 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (3-1), UConn (3-0)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Sept. 8 -- vs. William & Mary (Phyllis Ocker Field), 6 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team suffered its first loss of the 2017 season, dropping a close 2-1 decision to No. 4 Connecticut Sunday afternoon (Sept. 3) in front of 709 fans at Phyllis Ocker Field.

The Huskies, who outcornered U-M by an 11-2 margin, broke open the deadlocked game with two goals late in the second half, scoring off a penalty corner at the 54:52 mark and adding a stroke goal less than four minutes later at 58:40. Casey Umstead tallied both UConn goals, scoring on the direct shot with the former before drawing -- and finishing -- the stroke after a goal-line foul on Michigan.

Michigan pulled within one goal in the waning seconds of regulation, as sophomore Meg Dowthwaite scored on the direct shot of the Wolverines' first corner opportunity of the game -- at 66:27 -- when her sweep deflected off a defender and tipped high over UConn goalkeeper Nina Klein. Sophomore Guadalupe Fernandez Lacort and junior Emma Way earned assists for the stop and the insert, respectively. It was Dowthwaite's third goal of the weekend and fifth of the season, already tying her 2016 season total.

The Wolverines drew another corner with about a minute remaining in regulation, but Dowthwaite's shot was saved and UConn was able to clear the ball as time expired.

UConn narrowly outshot the Wolverines, 8-7, while posting the significant 11-2 advantage in penalty corners. Senior goalkeeper Sam Swenson earned two saves, while Klein stopped five of six U-M shots on goal.

Michigan will remain at home next weekend with a pair of non-conference games at Ocker Field. The Wolverines host William & Mary at 6 p.m. Friday (Sept. 8) and wrap up the weekend with a 2 p.m. slate against UC Davis on Sunday (Sept. 10). Admission to all regular-season home games is free.