Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Michigan
Wildcats Downed by No. 13 Michigan, 2-0
10/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 20, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's soccer team has spent seemingly the entire season with its backs to the wall, and Sunday was no exception. Playing its final Big Ten match of the 2002 season, and sitting precariously in eighth place, the Wildcats knew they needed to add some cushion to their lead over Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota.
Unfortunately, it was not to be. Michigan, the 13th-ranked team in the latest national coaches poll, was able to sneak in a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes and escape Lakeside Field with a 2-0 victory.
The final salvo was fired a few hours later, as Illinois finished off a 2-1 win over Indiana in Champaign. The victory gives the Illini 10 points in the Big Ten standings and catapulted them past the Wildcats into eighth place.
In other words, Northwestern (4-8-3, 2-6-2 Big Ten) will not be returning to the Big Ten Tournament.
That's too bad, because this team has been playing its best soccer the last few weeks. They gave the Wolverines all they could handle for much of Sunday's contest.
"We played great yet again," said head coach Jenny Haigh. "What can I say? I'm happy with our effort."
Northwestern and Michigan (12-4-0, 7-2-0) played a thoroughly entertaining match at Lakeside Field, in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Both teams had chances in the first half, although Michigan certainly had the best one when sweeper Andrea Kayal rocketed a free kick off the crossbar late in the stanza.
The second half picked up where the first left off, as quality play on both sides kept the match scoreless. Eventually, though, Michigan's counterattack got the better of the Northwestern attack.
In the 73rd minute, the Wildcats pressed up for a dangerous free-kick opportunity, but when the ball was cleared well outside the box it became a footrace between UM forward Stephanie Chavez and NU defender Lindsey Veris (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa). Chavez got there first, poking it past Veris and setting off on a 70-yard sprint toward the Wildcat goal.
With the other NU defenders in hot pursuit, Chavez closed down on Wildcat goalkeeper Susie McCreery (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South). When McCreery finally charged out to challenge, Chavez pushed a 20-yard shot past her left side and into the side netting for the first goal.
"I think we got a little bit deflated after that goal," said Haigh.
NU was forced to press the issue even more offensively, but the Wolverines started exploiting the new openings in the 'Cat defense. Abby Crumpton, the Big Ten's leading scorer, shook free at one point and took a 15-yard shot from the right side that beat McCreery but hit the post and bounced out of bounds.
A few minutes later, though, Crumpton got a nearly identical chance, and this time she was true -- her shot slipped just inside the far post for the 2-0 Michigan lead.
Overall, the Wolverines outshot Northwestern 12-4, forcing McCreery to make five saves. At the other end, Suzie Grech had three stops.
Northwestern's season is not entirely over. The Wildcats will be home for the final time next Friday, hosting UW-Milwaukee at 3 p.m. Following that, the 'Cats hit the road to finish the season with games at Wyoming and Colorado College.
MATCH SUMMARY
Score by Half
Michigan (12-4-0, 7-2-0) 0 2 - 2
Northwestern (4-8-3, 2-6-2) 0 0 - 0
Goal Summary
UM - Stephanie Chavez (unassisted), 72:19
UM - Abby Crumpton (unassisted), 81:32
Shots: Michigan 12, NU 4.
Corner Kicks: Michigan 5, NU 4.
GK Saves: NU - Susie McCreery, 5; UM - Suzie Grech, 2 (Team 1).
