030205 Arizona Article

March 2, 2005

Event: Men’s Lacrosse

Site: Tucson, Arizona (Rincon Vista Field)

Score: #5 Michigan 12, #6 Arizona 1

Records: UM (3-1, 0-0 CCLA), Arizona (3-3), (0-0 WCLL)

Next U-M Game: Saturday, March 5 -- vs. Brigham Young (Provo, Utah – South Field), 1:00 p.m. MST

Wolverines Roll in #5 vs. #6 Match-Up

Tucson, Arizona – The #5 ranked University of Michigan men’s lacrosse team earned a 12-1 road win over Arizona on Wednesday (March 2) in Tucson. In front of 215 fans at the Rincon Vista Fields, the Maize and Blue dominated their opponent defensively for the second game in a row, limiting the Wildcats to a lone third-period goal, and holding them to only 16 total shots while tallying 40 of their own.

Youth was served once again offensively on Wednesday as freshman Evan Fox (Suffern, N.Y./Suffern) led the squad again in total points, netting five goals in the game (5-0-5) and freshman Peter Krauss (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) led the squad with three helpers for 1-3-4 totals. After notching one goal in the first 30 minutes, Fox exploded for four goals in the second half to propel the Wolverines to their third victory of the season and their second win versus a ranked opponent.

After senior defenseman Kirk Kozel’s (Barrington, Ill./Taft) second-career goal with only four seconds remaining in the first half, the two teams entered the locker rooms in a relatively close, five-goal game. U-M charged out of the second-half gates though and notched three goals in the first five minutes of the third period, and another at the 7:05 mark to give Michigan a dominating 9-0 lead. Fox netted the first two of those goals, while fellow freshman Paul Kang (St. Louis, MO/Parkway Central) delivered his own back-to-back punch, scoring his fourth and fifth goals of the season. Arizona’s lone goal of the game came at the 4:50 mark of the third on a shot from Chase Foley.

Senior goaltender Dan Webber (Weston, Mass./Weston) finished with five saves, four in the first half. Senior long-stick midfielder David Silverman (Potomac, Md./Churchill) and Kirk Kozel both led the squad with five groundballs. Michigan scooped up 31 groundballs compared to Arizona’s 30.

Statistically, the game appeared much closer than it was with both teams successfully clearing the ball with the Wolverines producing 31 for 34 totals, while the Wildcats were 20-25. Arizona was very successful in face-offs winning 12 of 15 attempts. Conversely, U-M was able to hold Arizona scoreless on the man-up while finishing on four of their 10 attempts.

The Wolverines will take to the field again on Saturday, March 5 at 1:00 pm MST in Provo, Utah vs. #3 BYU at the South Field. The two teams met last on February 28 last season in Florida with BYU winning 8-6.

NOTES

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QUOTES

U-M Head Coach John Paul

On the game itself: “I can't say enough about our team tonight. It was as close to a complete game as we've had in quite some time. Defensively we obviously dominated, but we know we can do that. I'm most impressed with our offense, considering all the freshmen who are having to step in until we get healed up. That freshman attack unit was sharp tonight."

On the patch-work offense continuing to step up: “They converted on transition, and they played with composure when we were even. That's all I can ask of any offense, much less the guys we've got in right now. They are going to make it tough to decide who's going to play when our injuries start to heal."

On the play of the defense for the second straight game: “Dominating. We don't track takeaways, but I'd guess we were up around 20 or more. We wanted to extend and not let them possess tonight, and we certainly did that. Kozel, Roth and Silverman were a force."

On facing rival, BYU: “We've never beaten them on the road. They are fun to play. They are talented, well-coached and athletic. We know the type of game we're getting into. I'm always excited to face them, and I know the guys are fired up as well."

Contact: Joe Hennessy (734) 276-8493, jjhennes@umich.edu