Michigan
1-1-2, 0-0-0
Boston College
1-3-1, 0-0-0
Sparkowski's Clean Sheet, Prych's Goal Give U-M First Win of 2023
8/31/2023 10:10:00 PM | Women's Soccer
» Gabrielle Prych scored the match's lone goal in the 46th minute, giving her goals in back-to-back games.
» Senior Stephanie Sparkowski had a career-high seven stops, highlighted by five in the second half.
» Michigan improves to a perfect 6-0 in home openers under head coach Jennifer Klein.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team notched its first win of the 2023 season with a 1-0 shutout against the Boston College Eagles on Thursday (Aug. 31) in the season's first match at U-M Soccer Stadium.
Freshman Gabrielle Prych had the lone goal of the contest in the 46th minute, while senior goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski made a career-high seven saves for the shutout.
Boston College (1-3-1) had a golden chance in the fifth minute, as a service was spliced through to the top of the six to Ella Richards. Her left-footed chance was stopped by Sparkowski diving to her left.
Despite several promising efforts by both teams, the first act came to a close at 0-0. Michigan (1-1-2) held a 5-3 shot advantage at the half, with sophomore Jenna Lang responsible for a pair of the opportunities.
Michigan earned its goal at the top of the second act with a stellar individual effort from Prych 37 seconds into the half. The freshman received a ball from sophomore Kali Burrell with her back to goal, turned to create space, and finished lower right from the top of the 18 with her left foot to give the Wolverines a 1-0 breakthrough. Prych led the Wolverine offense throughout the night, contributing three shots to the team's combined 11.
Tweet of the Match
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— Michigan Women's Soccer (@umichwsoccer) September 1, 2023
45' | Prych with a STELLAR individual effort, finishes lower left and we're OFF!
1:0
#GoBlue?? | #OurWay pic.twitter.com/3KVifihWwR
Boston College outshot U-M, 9-6, in the second half but its efforts came to no avail thanks to Sparkowski's five stops in the second half. The clean sheet is the second back-to-back shutout since the tail end of the 2021 season. Michigan also improves to 6-0 all-time in home openers under head coach Jennifer Klein.
Klein continued to rotate her squad throughout, with only Sparkowski and juniors Avery Peters and Tamia Tolbert playing the full 90 minutes. Overall, 17 Wolverines saw match action.
The Wolverines will close out the opening weekend at U-M Soccer Stadium with a contest against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Sunday (Sept. 3). Match time is slated for a 1 p.m. start, and will be broadcast on B1G+.
Team Stats
Gabrielle Prych (2)
GOAL by MICH Prych, Gabrielle.
45:37
