University of Louisville
Michigan
Michigan Edges No. 11 Field Hockey 1-0
September 17, 2006 | Field Hockey
Sept. 17, 2006
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - - Michigan's Ashley Lennington scored with less than four minutes remaining in the game as the No. 11 ranked University of Louisville field hockey team fell to the host Wolverines 1-0 Sunday at Ocker Field. U of L drops to 4-3, while Michigan improves to 4-5 on the season.
The Wolverines came out firing in the first half rattling off 17 shots, but the Cardinal defense in the circle stood strong with Louisville goalkeeper junior Marie-Claire Heller posting five saves in the period. Michigan had a chance to score on a penalty corner in the closing seconds of the first half, but U of L thwarted the threat by clearing the ball out of the circle.
The teams entered the break in a scoreless tie with the Wolverines holding a 17-2 shot advantage and a 5-2 penalty corner lead.
The Cards regrouped and opened the second half with an offensive flurry. U of L drew two penalty corners and delivered eight shots in the first 15 minutes of the half with Michigan goalkeeper Beth Riley coming up with five saves during that time frame.
The teams battled through the next 15 minutes before the Wolverines broke through with a goal at the 66:07 mark in the game. Lennington's goal came on Michigan's third penalty corner of the half, when she tipped Kara Lentz's shot to give the Wolverines the 1-0 lead.
Louisville played through most of the remaining minutes of the game in its offensive 50, but could not capitalize in the 1-0 loss.
In the second half, the Cards held a 9-8 edge in shots and the teams had three penalty corners each. Heller posted 10 saves in the game for Louisville. Riley had five stops for Michigan.
U of L will open BIG EAST Conference play Friday, Sept. 22 at Syracuse at 3 p.m. The Cards will face Vermont in a neutral game Saturday at 2 p.m
