Michigan
(1-1)
Iowa
(4-1)
Pyrtek Scores Late Game-Winner in B1G Road Win at Iowa
3/12/2021 6:42:00 PM | Field Hockey
» Michigan used a late goal to defeat Iowa, 1-0, in its first road game of the season.
» Sarah Pyrtek netted the game-winner at 53:44; after a diving play from Halle O'Neill to poke the ball into the circle, Pyrtek swept it into the left side of the cage.
» Goalkeeper Anna Spieker earned seven saves to earn the complete-game shutout in her season debut.
Site: Iowa City, Iowa (Grant Field)
Score: Michigan 1, Iowa 0
Records: U-M (2-0, 2-0 B1G), Iowa (4-1, 3-1 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, March 14 -- at Iowa (Iowa City, Iowa), Noon CDT
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Sophomore Sarah Pyrtek scored the game-winning goal to break a scoreless tie in the fourth quarter as the University of Michigan field hockey team defeated Iowa, 1-0, on Friday afternoon (March 12) at Grant Field.
Pyrtek's game-winner came at the 53:44 mark, with less than seven minutes remaining in regulation, and followed an all-out effort setup from senior Halle O'Neill, who earned an assist on the play. O'Neill received the ball at the Iowa 25, and, losing control as two Hawkeyes converged at the top of the arc, she dove to poke it ahead into the circle. Pyrtek also laid out to connect with the bouncing ball near the stroke mark, sweeping it high into the left side of the cage. All three of her collegiate goals have been game-winners.
Michigan (2-0, 2-0 Big Ten) turned away three Iowa penalty corners after taking the lead, including an upgraded call -- that was challenged by U-M and upheld -- with just 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes passed the ball around the arc and got a shot on goal off a blocked shot, but junior goalkeeper Anna Spieker made the save despite traffic in front of the cage and Michigan cleared the ball out of the circle to end the game.
Spieker was outstanding in her season debut, earning seven saves en route to the ninth complete-game shutout of her career. Iowa goalkeeper Grace McGuire earned one save -- off a Wolverine penalty stroke in the second quarter -- while Pyrtek's goal was her first allowed in five games this season.
Iowa (4-1, 3-1 Big Ten) outshot the Wolverines, 13-2, and outcornered them, 6-0.
Tweet of the Game
GAME-WINNER. Beauty!@halle_oneill + @sarahrc24 #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/37zSy3EoFb
— Michigan Field Hockey (@umichfldhockey) March 12, 2021
The Wolverines will wrap up the road weekend with a non-conference slate at Iowa at noon CDT on Sunday (March 14) at Grant Field. In all two-game series this season, only the first counts toward conference standings. The game will be streamed live on Big Ten Network Plus.
Team Stats
Pyrtek, Sarah (1)
Assisted By: O'Neill, Halle
GOAL by MICH Pyrtek, Sarah (FIRST GOAL), Assist by O'Neill, Halle, goal number 1 for season.
53:44
