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Just two minutes into the No. 12 Michigan field hockey team’s game against Boston on Friday, redshirt junior forward Abby Tamer capitalized on a corner and quickly found the back of the cage. The early lead was short lived, however, as the Terriers scored back-to-back goals in 30 seconds. The match seemed to be headed towards a tight back-and-forth battle between the two teams.
Instead, the remainder of the game was defined by the Wolverines’ overwhelming offensive dominance (2-1), leading them to a 5-2 win over Boston University (1-2).
After falling behind, Michigan turned a corner and regained control of the game. With five minutes to go in the first quarter, graduate forward Kate McLaughlin tied the game on another corner, tipping in senior forward Alana Richardson’s initial shot. The Wolverines finished the first quarter with six offensive corners, in comparison to the Terriers’ one.
“I think we’ve really grown in the past few years not getting rattled and losing our temper,” McLaughlin said. “We’ve learned to not let two goals against us put us down or shake us up, because ultimately, if you get rattled and nervous, it’s going to show and you’re not going to give good passes, you’re not going to get good shots.”
Michigan did just that — remained unrattled — and it paid off. Boston didn’t score for the remainder of the game, and it was outshot by the Wolverines 24-4.
Even with increased physicality and energy from the Terriers in the second quarter, the Wolverines controlled play and possession. Two minutes into the quarter, McLaughlin notched her second goal of the evening, once again on a corner.
“We executed our corners well tonight,” Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz said. “I was really proud of our team. I think we’ve been practicing hard, and they’ve been executing under pressure, so that’s been really fun to see.”
Michigan’s elite corner play has been a difference maker for the team so far. Not only are the Wolverines able to cause opponents to commit defensive mistakes on corners, they take advantage, making each shot count.
Heading into halftime, Michigan held a narrow 3-2 lead. While the score remained close, the Wolverines’ control of possession made the gap feel larger. Boston was disruptive, applying high pressure to star player Tamer and causing turnovers in the midfield, but it often gave the ball right back.
For the majority of the third quarter, Michigan continued this offensive dominance. With five minutes to go, the Terriers found themselves down two players due to penalties, and the Wolverines capitalized on their advantage. McLaughlin completed a hat trick with a reverse chip from the middle.
“We had most of the possession,” McLaughlin said. “So just letting the goals come, letting the passes come, and really just letting the team group together and controlling most of the game was crucial for us tonight.”
This mindset of staying calm and letting success follow manifested in the final quarter. Within the first 30 seconds of play, Michigan drew yet another corner. Redshirt senior midfielder Pilar Oliveros’ initial shot was deflected, but the Wolverines persisted, and Tamer’s rebound shot found the back of the cage, increasing their lead once more.
Michigan kept up its pressure throughout the rest of the game and finished strong. The Wolverines’ self-assured attitude and unwavering confidence in spite of a rocky start paid off, and their offensive dominance led to a convincing 5-2 win.
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