ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The #18 Old Dominion Field Hockey team fell to #4 Michigan on Sunday, 1-0 in Ann Arbor.
Old Dominion (1-2) and Michigan played a very close and defensive first half as ODU rattled off three total shots and the Wolverines took four. Neither team could take advantage of those opportunities as they would enter halftime tied.
In the third quarter Michigan (2-2) would take six shots with three of them being on goal but Freshman goalkeeper Suus Broers denied the Wolverines from the scoreboard and would remain that way entering the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was much like the first half only seeing one shot taken by Michigan and would end tied and head to overtime.
In overtime the Wolverines were able to break through the Monarch defense as Natalie Millman would send a ball in from the left corner and Alana Richardson would tip it into the back of the net securing the victory for the Wolverines.
In the second half ODU did not record a shot and was outshot by Michigan 12-3. Broers a career high seven saves in goal.
"Very proud of our team and how we played. We worked our butts off, played with toughness and played together. We had a great chance to win this game today. I can't ask for much more than that," said head coach Andrew Griffiths.
"We started strong and adapted to playing against a very physical opponent, who has high quality across the field, and we did very well in the first half. Well in the 3rd quarter we stunk and got away from the plan a bit, but we had the focus to get back on track and play well in the 4th. We also created 2 great chances in overtime to win it, that just didn't bounce the right way."
"Nicole played extremely well at center back, and Dani showed her class in a holding midfield and cover role, but we had strong periods from many players today, including Suus in goal, who made some saves and also communicated well," Griffiths said.
"The game reinforces my feeling of confidence in our team, our ceiling is high for the season going forward."
Old Dominion returns home next weekend for a matchup with Queens (CLT) on Friday, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. and will then host #1 North Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 12 p.m.
#18 ODU Field Hockey Loses Heartbreaker To #4 Michigan In Overtime
