Michigan defense blanks Michigan State in 3-0 win

After shutting out both Ohio and Central Michigan amid a five-game win streak, the Michigan field hockey team hoped to continue both streaks as it squared off against Michigan State in East Lansing.

While the Wolverines’ hopes of keeping their streaks alive could have been deterred by the eight day break in between competitions, the time off wasn’t a factor. For 60 minutes, No. 9 Michigan (6-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) offensively dominated against Michigan State (4-4, 0-2) by outshooting and outscoring the Spartans, while the defense held tight, blanking them 3-0.

“I think that we got a couple days off to kind of rejuvenate and get collected as a team, and kind of get our legs beneath us, and then we practice super hard for four days,” graduate forward Lora Clarke said. “We did a lot of scrimmaging, which was good, because when we scrimmage against each other, it’s super aggressive and it’s super good hockey.”

And the Wolverines showed why their offense ranks first in goals and scoring margin as they had more than double the number of shots Michigan State, 24-11. The Wolverines’ offense wasted no time in making shots as redshirt junior forward Abby Tamer attempted a goal just 48 seconds into the game. Despite her shot being saved by Spartans goalkeeper Lyra Gavino, Tamer and the rest of Michigan’s offense quickly got the ball back and continued to take shots.

Eventually, those shots turned into the first goal halfway through the quarter as Tamer snagged the ball within the circle, shooting it into the bottom center of the net for her eighth goal this season.

The Wolverines’ offense was so dominant at maintaining possession that Michigan State tallied only one shot throughout the first 15 minutes, and Michigan ended the quarter with a 1-0 lead.

However, the tables turned as the Spartans’ offense attempted the first shot of the second quarter just five minutes in. Midfielder Maddie Lawlor tried to get Michigan State on the scoreboard but was denied as redshirt freshman goalkeeper Hala Silverstein made a save. Despite the Spartans having the first shot, the Wolverines didn’t let them maintain possession for long and quickly answered with another goal. Off of a penalty corner by Clarke, freshman back Eva Bernardy scored her first goal in a Michigan uniform as the ball slammed into the bottom right side of the cage.

“Lora’s been a wonderful leader for us,” Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. “She has really been a great captain, and takes the team on her shoulders pretty much every game. And I think that she just set a great tone for us today.”

Though penalty corners remained the theme of the second quarter, the Wolverines failed to capitalize on the offensive opportunities. However, Michigan went into halftime with a 2-0 advantage, still outshooting Michigan State with 14 shots — the most its had in the first half this season.

The Wolverines’ offense continued to overpower the Spartans as Clarke scored off a penalty stroke seven minutes into the third quarter. However, as Michigan continued to shoot the ball, the shots were consistently blocked by Michigan State goalkeeper Lyra Gavino. 

“I think their goalkeeper made some nice saves,” Pankratz said. “And sometimes it’s just how field hockey is. But I like the fact that we kept shooting the ball. And you gotta keep shooting. And hopefully you’re gonna get your opportunities when you can, and we got enough of them to win the game.”

Although the Wolverines started the first half of the fourth quarter with the ball, they refused to go to the back of the net. Michigan’s lone offensive threat came in the 47th minute with an on-target shot by redshirt-senior midfielder Pilar Oliveros. However, just as all the shots prior, it didn’t turn into a goal.

It wasn’t until the 51st minute that the Spartans’ offense advanced enough to attempt shots of its own. However, just like Michigan’s offensive troubles in the later half of the third quarter, Michigan State failed to execute offensively as its shots were blocked. In the last four minutes, the Spartans made one final push with two on-target shots and a penalty stroke, but redshirt junior goalkeeper Caylie McMahon stopped the ball on each opportunity, and the Wolverines’ shutout streak stayed intact.

Michigan’s offense once again showed why it ranks number one in many offensive stats. And on Monday against Michigan State, the Wolverines’ defense silenced the Spartans for its third shutout win.

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