Michigan field hockey loses to Louisville in a top-five matchup

Down by one purpose with simply over 4 minutes left to play, the No. 4 Michigan area hockey crew pulled sophomore goalkeeper Caylie McMahon to deliver an additional attacker onto the sector. 

The Wolverines drew three penalty corners and fired off a number of photographs within the ensuing three-minute interval however had been unable to capitalize, as Michigan (3-2 total) fell to No 5. Louisville (6-0), 2-1.

From the beginning, it was obvious that each groups had been evenly matched. Getting into halftime scoreless, the Wolverines had outshot the Cardinals 3-2, however they had been outcornered, 2-0. This sample continued into the second half, as corners finally proved to be Michigan’s downfall. 

“We received tons of alternatives on the final minute of the sport,” Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz mentioned. “And we now have to capitalize and really execute underneath strain on these corners and rating. And we failed to do this.”

The Wolverines struck first with a purpose from fifth-year ahead Katie Anderson with two minutes left within the third quarter. However Louisville wasted no time, answering with a purpose off a penalty nook deflection inside a minute. 

As the sport remained tied for the primary 10 minutes of the fourth quarter, it grew extra bodily. The groups traded inexperienced playing cards, however neither might capitalize after they had been up a participant. 

With four-and-a-half minutes left, the Cardinals had been awarded two penalty corners, bringing their whole as much as seven on the sport. On the second, a rifling shot discovered the again of the cage for what finally ended up being the distinction maker.

“You gotta execute a nook protection,” Pankratz mentioned. “So we now have to work on that this week.”

Against this, Michigan solely had 4 penalty corners — three of which got here within the final two minutes of the sport. And on each, the Wolverines didn’t convert. 

On the primary of the ultimate three corners, a Louisville defender stepped over the road too shortly, which led to the Cardinals shedding a defensive participant in the course of the insertion. Even with that benefit, Michigan couldn’t rating in what was its most favorable probability of the quarter.

Regardless of outshooting Louisville 11-6, the Wolverines couldn’t make the most of their alternatives when it mattered. 

Heading into convention play, it’s clear what Michigan must work on transferring ahead. The crew struggled with corners of their earlier recreation, too. But when the Wolverines can generate — and capitalize on — extra penalty corners and forestall their opponents from getting as many beauty, the crew will likely be in good arms. 

If not, Michigan is in for a tough season.