Michigan
4-0
USC
3-1
Michigan Defense Locks Down No. 13 USC in Victory
2/24/2024 5:50:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
» Michigan defeated its second straight ranked opponent with a 9-3 win over No. 13 USC.
» Kaylee Dyer recorded a hat trick.
» Erin O'Grady made nine saves.
» Lily Montemarano led the draw control with six wins.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan women's lacrosse team moved to 4-0 overall on the season after earning its second straight win over a ranked opponent with a 9-3 victory over No. 13 USC on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 24) at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The Wolverines were led by Kaylee Dyer, who scored three goals and had one assist, while Jill Smith netted two goals. Annabelle Burke and Jane Fetterolf each recorded a goal and an assist, while Caroline Davis had two assists.
U-M won the draw control battle 10-6 with Lily Montemarano leading the way with six wins. Defensively, Maddie Burns had two caused turnovers and one ground ball and Grace Callahan had two ground balls and a caused turnover. In the cage, Erin O'Grady made nine save to earn her fourth career win.
Burke got U-M on the scoreboard less than a minute into the game before Fetterolf and Smith scored a goal each to give Michigan an early 3-0 lead. The Trojans came within one with their first goal of the game, but a goal from Katharine Merrifield put the Wolverines ahead 4-1 heading into the second quarter.
Smith opened the quarter with a free-position goal and Michigan went on to score another two goals to take a 7-2 lead into the halftime break. The Wolverines put 10 shots on goal and Montemarano won four draw controls in the first half.
Dyer completed her hat trick with eight minutes to play in the third quarter and Davis fed Julia Schwabe for U-M's ninth goal of the game. U-M carried a 9-3 advantage into the final 15 minutes.
Both teams' defenses dialed in over the final quarter as neither team found a goal and the Maize and Blue secured the 9-3 road victory.
The Wolverines conclude their trip West on Tuesday (Feb. 27) when they take on Arizona State at 3 p.m. MT at Sun Devil Soccer/Lacrosse Stadium.
