Michigan
(15-4)
Northwestern
(19-1)
Wolverines Down No. 1 Northwestern to Capture B1G Tourney Title
11/10/2024 1:57:00 PM | Field Hockey
» No. 9 Michigan knocked off No. 1 and undefeated Northwestern, 1-0, to capture the ninth Big Ten Tournament title in program history.
» Alana Richardson scored the game-winning goal at 32:45 early in the second half after receiving the ball unattended in the circle off a free hit from Abby Tamer following a Northwestern green card.
» Goalkeeper Hala Silverston earned four stops for her fourth complete-game shutout, including a first-quarter penalty stroke and off a NU corner with just 1:00 to play in the fourth.
» U-M earned the Big Ten's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships; the selection show is slated for 10 p.m. tonight on NCAA.com.
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The No. 9-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team downed top-ranked and undefeated Northwestern, 1-0, to capture its ninth Big Ten Conference Tournament title in program history on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 10) at Maryland's Lacrosse and Field Hockey Complex.
It is the Wolverines' second tournament crown in three seasons, while Michigan leads the Big Ten with nine tournament titles in program history. Penn State ranks second with seven. U-M has also advanced to the Big Ten Tournament championship game in four of the last five years -- and 17 times in 27 seasons.
Michigan scored the game's only goal at the 32:45 mark early in the second half. The Wildcats were issued a two-minute green card, and senior/junior Abby Tamer immediately took the ensuing restart and fed the ball up the middle and into the circle, where she connected with senior Alana Richardson streaking in from the left side all alone. Richardson, on the move, corralled the ball, then pushed it five-hole through the pads of NU goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz before her forward momentum laid her out on the turf. It was her seventh goal this season and first game-winner.
The game was evenly matched throughout though Northwestern led 16-8 in shots while corners were even at 6-6. Sophomore/freshman Hala Silverstein was phenomenal in the cage for Michigan, earning four saves for her fourth complete-game shutout of the season and Michigan's ninth overall.
Silverstein's biggest stop came late in the first quarter when Northwestern earned an upgraded penalty stroke on umpire review and the Wolverine goalkeeper kept it out of the cage, diving to make a stick save on the left post against Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Ashley Sessa.
Northwestern revved up the pressure after the Michigan goal and outshot the Wolverines 7-0 in the fourth quarter. Silverstein made another big stop early in the frame on a NU fast break, coming out of the cage to challenge and forced the shot wide. The Wildcats drew back-to-back corners less than a minute later; Silverstein made a save on the drag flick before flyer Tamer blocked the second just inside the arc.
Northwestern pulled Subcisz for an extra attacker with 3:18 to play and drew a penalty corner with exactly 1:00 remaining, but Silverstein made a big blocker save down on the turf. The Wildcats got off one more shot that redirected wide, and Michigan did not allow them in the circle again.
Graduate student Lora Clarke was named the Tournament MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by fellow graduate student Erin Reilly.
With today's win, Michigan earned the Big Ten's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Selection Show is slated for 10 p.m. tonight on NCAA.com. The 2024 championship field will consist of 18 teams with the tournament running from Nov. 15 through Nov. 24. The semifinals and finals will be held at Phyllis Ocker Field in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Team Stats
Richardson, Alana (5)
Assisted By: Tamer, Abby
GOAL by MICH Richardson, Alana (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Tamer, Abby, goal number 5 for season.
32:45
