Third-ranked Louisville Falls Short at No. 2 Michigan

Sunday, October 10

Ann Arbor, MI

12:00 P.M.

University of Louisville

(11-2)

Michigan

(11-0)

Louisville

Michigan

Katie Schneider takes the ball down the field against Wake Forest

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

October 10, 2021 | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: Lori Harmon

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Halle O'Neill's goal with under three minutes remaining in the game broke a 1-1 tie and sent No. 2 Michigan to a 2-1 win over the third-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team Sunday at Michigan's Ocker Field.

"The game was a tough contest that you would expect from two of the top teams in the country," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "A game like that will always ebb and flow and momentum will shift. Ultimately you have to stay true to your identity and take your opportunities. We came up a little short today."

The loss snaps a four-game win streak for the Cardinals (11-2) who return to action on Friday at No. 14 Boston College.

The matchup was tightly contested with Michigan outshooting Louisville 10-7 including a 5-4 edge in shots on goal while each team earned four corners. Freshman Mila de Kuijer collected three saves for the Cardinals while Michigan's Anna Spieker also had three stops.

The Wolverines (11-0) jumped to an early lead after earning their first penalty corner in the sixth minute of the game. de Kuijer turned back the initial shot, but Sofia Southam found the back of the cage with an assist from Kathryn Peterson.

Michigan took the 1-0 lead into halftime after the teams were even in first half shots (4-4) and corners (2-2).

The Cardinals converted on a penalty corner to get on the scoreboard midway through the third quarter. Aimee Plumb got the corner started and Camryn Pichea stopped the ball for Julie Kouijzer who directed a shot toward the right side of the cage and Katie Schneider deflected the ball past Spieker for her team-best eighth goal of the season to even the score at 1-1.

The teams traded shots on goal with de Kuijer registering a save in the third quarter and Spieker stopping a shot in the fourth quarter before the Wolverines struck again with 2:58 left to play. O'Neill sent a penalty corner feed from Southam past de Kuijer to put Michigan back on top.

In the final minutes of the game, de Kuijer was lifted for a extra field player, but the Michigan defense held for the 2-1 win.

NOTES:
• Katie Schneider now leads the team with a career-best eight goals and 19 points on the season. She has scored a goal in each of the last four games.
• Louisville has outscored opponents 30-11 this year. Ten different players have contributed goals for the Cardinals.
• Today's game against No. 2 Michigan marks the eighth top-25 opponent the Cardinals have faced this season. Louisville is 6-2 in those games with its only other loss coming at the hands of then-No. 2 Iowa on Sept. 19.