Michigan
Northwestern
U-M Downs Northwestern in B1G Road Action, Extends Win Streak to Six
9/21/2023 10:55:00 PM | Women's Soccer
» Freshman Gabrielle Prych scored U-M's first goal -- her fourth of the season -- in the seventh minute while Sammi Woods sealed the match in the 82nd minute.
» The victory runs U-M's win streak to six matches and its unbeaten streak to eight (two ties).
» U-M handed Northwestern its first defeat of the season and snapped the Wildcats' nine-match unbeaten streak.
» Stephanie Sparkowski recorded her sixth shutout of the season with six saves.
EVANSTON, Ill. -- The No. 19-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team dealt the No. 18Â Northwestern Wildcats their first defeat of the season behind a 2-0 scoreline on Thursday night (Sept. 21) at NU's Martin Stadium.
The victory extends U-M's winning streak to six matches and its unbeaten streak to eight (two ties).
Michigan (6-1-2, 2-0 B1G) came out flying in the opening minutes. Three fouls were whistled on Northwestern (7-1-2, 1-1 B1G) in the opening six minutes and two corner kicks also came in the sequence for the Wolverines.
Senior Sarah Bridenstine took the latter corner service from the left corner flag at 6:14 and a bounding attempt in traffic at the top of the six resulted in a headed effort by freshman Gabrielle Prych -- her fourth goal of the season. The score in the seventh minute was U-M's fastest to start a match on the season and allowed Michigan to go up 1-0 early.
Despite the opening surge, U-M was outshot 4-1 the rest of the half but was able to hold the vaunted Wildcat offense to few chances of any quality.
Coming out of the half, Michigan nearly doubled its goal count in the 48th minute as Bridenstine found space on the right flank on a ball played on by Prych from the middle of the pitch. Her attempt on goal with her right foot was cleared out by the Wildcat backline.
Michigan's offense continues to press and another chance came four minutes later, as sophomore Abby Zugay darted down the left flank and cut inside for a sliding effort at the top of the six. Her near-post shot on frame was kick-saved by Wildcat goalkeeper Reiley Fitzpatrick.
The Wildcats hit the right post in the 55th minute, as well as the crossbar in the 68th minute, and held the majority of the ball in the second half. However, their attacking flurry began to wane in the 80th minute, as junior Avery Kalitta had a chance from distance that skipped just wide of the left post.
Minutes later, U-M doubled its lead and sealed the match in the 82nd minute as senior Sammi Woods slotted home a square ball played from Prych at the top of the 18. The goal was Woods' team-leading fifth of the season, while the helper was the first of Prych's career.
The result is the first loss of the season for the Wildcats and snaps their nine-match unbeaten streak. Senior goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski earned her sixth clean sheet of the season with six saves while holding a Northwestern offense that averages 3.11 goals scoreless.
Tweet of the Match
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— Michigan Women's Soccer (@umichwsoccer) September 22, 2023
ON THE B EARLY.
Prych header in traffic, our fastest marker to start a match this season.
1:0
#GoBlue?? |#OurWay pic.twitter.com/oH2o7llaLh
Michigan closes out the road trip on Sunday (Sept. 24) when the Maize and Blue travel to Illinois for a 1 p.m. CT start in Champaign.
