Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Michigan
Wildcats Knock Off Michigan, 1-0
9/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 21, 2003
NU-Michigan Box Score in PDF Format
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EVANSTON, Ill. - It has been said that the most important players step up when the biggest games are on the line.
Sunday at the Leonard B. Thomas Sports Complex, senior women's soccer captains Molly Greene and Aileen Guiney did just that against Michigan.
Greene -- a two-time All-Big Ten pick -- headed home a corner kick from 2002 first-team all-conference Guiney in the 16th minute, and that goal held up as the Wildcats knocked off the Wolverines, 1-0.
In addition to being its first conference win this season -- NU is now 1-1 in the Big Ten -- it was Northwestern's first win over Michigan since 1998 and just the third overall in 12 meetings with the Wolverines. In addition, it was the first time the Wildcats have defeated Michigan by shutout -- the teams fought to a scoreless draw in 2000.
"After losing Friday (3-0 to Michigan State), we still felt we could get out of this weekend with a split," said NU head coach Jenny Haigh. "It was really important to get this win, especially so early in the Big Ten season. Now we head to Iowa next weekend for another important chance to get some points."
Greene and Guiney provided the margin in what was an excellent all-around team effort by Northwestern. In a match that featured a pair of stingy defenses -- only nine shots were taken by the two teams, including just three that were actually on goal -- Northwestern was able to prevail.
"Aileen and Greeney are tremendous leaders," said Haigh. "We lean on them a lot, and I am not surprised that they stepped up to make the big play in this game today."
At the other end, perhaps the most important play of the day was made by two unsung NU players. In the 55th minute, Michigan's Laura Tanchon broke behind the `Cat defense and seemed to be in on a breakaway. However, freshman Tori Bohannon -- a walk-on who has earned a starting role -- was able to track her down and the ball slid harmlessly to freshman goalkeeper Whitney Jones.
Jones was called upon to make two routine saves on the day, and had great presence in the goalbox as NU struggled down the stretch to keep Michigan at bay.
"We have not been in a situation in awhile where we've held a lead on a very good team, such as we did today," said Haigh. "There is definitely room for growth in that area; we need to be better at managing the clock in these types of games."
Northwestern will host Loyola Thursday afternoon to close out this six-match homestand, then travels to Iowa next Sunday for another Big Ten matchup.
MATCH SUMMARY
Score by Half
Michigan (1-4-3, 0-1-1) 0 0 - 0
Northwestern (4-3-0, 1-1-0) 1 0 - 1
Goal Summary
NU - Molly Greene (Aileen Guiney), 15:47
Shots: Michigan 6, NU 3
Corner Kicks: NU 4, Michigan 4
Fouls: Michigan 17, NU 14
GK Saves: NU - Whitney Jones 2; UM - Megan Tuura 0
