Michigan
Albany
Wolverines to Head East for Non-Conference Contests Against Albany, Cornell
9/15/2021 4:28:00 PM | Field Hockey
» No. 1 Michigan will face Albany and Cornell this Saturday and Sunday in Ithaca, N.Y.
» The Wolverines lead the nation in scoring, boasting a 6.25 scoring average and 5.75 scoring margin through four games; Sofia Southam also leads individually with a 2.33 goals-per-game average.
» Michigan has boasted shutouts in each of its last three games and ranks fourth nationally with a 0.50 goals-against average.
THIS WEEK
Sat., Sept. 18 -- vs. Albany (Ithaca, N.Y.), 1 p.m.
Live Stats
Sun., Sept. 19 -- at Cornell (Ithaca, N.Y.), 11 a.m.
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The No. 1-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team (4-0) returns to the road this weekend for a pair of non-conference games in Ithaca, N.Y. The Wolverines will face Albany (2-4) in neutral-site action at 1 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 18) before taking on host Cornell (2-0) at 11 a.m. on Sunday (Sept. 19). Both games will be held at the Big Red's Dodson Field.
Wolverine Bites
• The Wolverines remain the nation's No. 1-ranked team for the second week in a row after claiming the top spot in the NFHCA national rankings for the first time in program history in last week's poll. U-M owns a 4-0 record, with ranked wins over previous No. 1 North Carolina (3-2, Aug. 27) and No. 11 Wake Forest (2-0, Aug. 29). The Big Ten Conference boasts six teams in the top 10, including three of the top four spots, while UNC, which held the top position every week since Sept. 11, 2018, has now dropped to sixth in the poll. [ NFHCA Coaches Poll ]
• Michigan leads the nation in several offensive categories, including scoring average (6.25), scoring margin (5.75), goals per game (6.25) and points per game (15.5). Senior Sofia Southam leads the nation with 2.33 goals per game, while senior Tina D'Anjolell shares the sixth spot with 1.00 goals-per-game average.
• Southam and D'Anjolell already boast career highs in goals this season. Southam has scored seven through two appearances, including five in the first half against Ball State (Sept. 10), while D'Anjolell owns four goals -- at least one in three of four games. Southam's previous best was five goals, which she posted as a freshman (2018). D'Anjolell tallied three goals in each of her previous three seasons.
• Thirteen different Wolverines already have scored goals this season -- more than half of U-M's field players. Michigan has outscored its opposition 25-2 through four games. Michigan's 12 goals against Ball State were the program's most since posting a 14-0 shutout against Olivet on Sept. 25, 1980, and the third-largest single-game goal total in U-M field hockey history.
• U-M also leads the nation with a 0.75 shutouts-per-game average, boasting three straight shutouts over its opening four games, and ranks fourth nationally with a 0.50 goals-against average. Senior goalkeeper Anna Spieker lists sixth individually with a 0.67 goals-against average after splitting the last two shutouts with sophomore Gillian Dumont.
• With 19 career complete-game shutouts, Spieker is one shy of the second spot on Michigan's career leaders list, currently held by Laure Pieri (20, 1976-79). Sam Swenson (2014-17) owns the program record with 23 career shutouts.
• Six Michigan players have tallied their first collegiate goals already this season. Freshmen Alana Richardson and Abby Tamer and sophomore Erin Reilly own two apiece -- Richardson scored the first and game-winning goal in the season opener against No. 1 North Carolina -- while freshman Emmy Tran and sophomores Kate McLaughlin and Katelyn Clarke own one goal apiece.
Scouting the Opposition
Albany -- The Great Danes carry a 2-4 record into the weekend after consecutive losses to Penn State (3-1, Sept. 10) and Columbia (3-2, Sept. 12) in their most recent games. Albany defeated Colgate, 5-1, in its season home opener (Aug. 27), but has lost three of its last four matches. Alison Smisdom leads Albany scoring with six goals and three assists, while goalkeeper Lara Behn owns a 2.04 goals-against average and .667 save percentage. Michigan leads the all-time series against Albany, 2-1, and has earned a win in overtime in each of the last two meetings. It will be the first matchup between the programs since Michigan's 2-1 victory in 2012.
Cornell -- The Big Red carry an undefeated 2-0 record into the weekend after defeating Wagner College (2-0, Sept. 10) and Colgate (3-1, Sept. 12) in their only games of the season. Caroline Ramsey leads Cornell in scoring with two goals and two assists, while starting goalkeeper Aerin Park owns a 0.00 goals-against average and 1.00 save percentage with two saves on the season. Sunday's game marks the first-ever meeting between the Wolverines and the Big Red.Â
Last Time Out
Michigan cruised to a 12-0 win at home against Ball State last Friday (Sept. 10), drawing goals from seven different Wolverine players, including five goals from senior Sofia Southam. The Wolverines' 12 goals were the program's most since posting a 14-0 shutout against Olivet on Sept. 25, 1980. Sophomores Pilar Oliveros, Lora Clarke, Katelyn Clarke and freshman Emmy Tran all scored their first goals of the season. Senior Anna Spieker and sophomore Gillian Dumont combined for the shutout in goal; Ball State failed to post a shot in the contest. [ Full Recap ]
Up Next
Fri., Sept. 24 -- vs. Michigan State (Phyllis Ocker Field), 6 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 26 -- vs. Kent State (Phyllis Ocker Field), 1 p.m.
