April 10, 2008

Event:  Men's Lacrosse

Site: Boulder, Colorado (Kittredge Field)

Score:  #1 Michigan 8, #16 Colorado 0

Records:  U-M (11-0, 3-0 CCLA), CU (3-5, 0-2 RMLC)

Next U-M Game:  Saturday, April 12, 2008, 7:00pm MST - vs. Colorado State - Fort Collins, Col.

Townsend Shuts Down the Buffalos

Event Recap I Boxscore I Notes & Quotes I Photos

Boulder, CO. - The #1 University of Michigan men's lacrosse team shut out their third opponent of the season on Thursday night (April 10), grabbing an 8-0 win over #16 Colorado in Boulder.  Senior goaltender Graham Townsend (Williamsville, N.Y./Williamsville East) stole the show, stopping 28 shots en-route to the Wolverines' 11^th win of the season.

Both teams traded possessions for the majority of the first quarter as the Wolverines had trouble running their offensive sets with much efficiency.  Loose balls and groundballs were the story in the first frame, and neither team had much luck producing quality chances. 

A failed clear attempt for the Wolverines mid-way through the quarter resulted in a two on zero transition opportunity for the Buffs.  Townsend was up to the task however, coming out of the cage, cutting off the angle and making the save with his left foot to maintain the scoreless game and help build momentum for the Maize and Blue.

Michigan finally got on the board with 19 seconds left in the quarter as sophomore transfer Kevin Zorovich (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa - Marist) scooped up a loose ball following a CU turnover and fed freshman Trevor Yealy (Pittsburgh, Penn./Upper St. Claire) in front of the cage for the goal.  Yealy scored again on Michigan's ensuing possession after a shot attempt was juggled by the Buffalo netminder, and banged back home by Yealy. 

Sophomore Josh Ein (Potomac, Md./Bullis) pushed the Michigan lead to 3-0 just over four minutes into the second quarter on another feed from Zorovich from behind the cage.  Zorovich kept up his helping ways, assisting Yealy for his third in the game at the 4:19 mark.

The Michigan defense continued their strong play in the second, forcing the play to the outside and allowing their goaltender to make the necessary saves.  When the Buffalos were able to crack the Wolverine "D", Townsend came up big, making nine second quarter saves and frustrating the CU attack. 

Senior captain Mark Hammitt (Madison, N.J./Delbarton - Boston College) got Michigan going in the third, scoring just two minutes into the period on a blast from the top of the box.  Junior Peter Vasher (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) notched his first goal of the game on a quick-stick tally on another assist from Zorovich mid-way through the quarter, and Townsend kept up his stellar play in the third, as Michigan took a 6-0 lead into the final frame. 

Vasher scored his second goal under two minutes into the fourth to increase the Wolverine lead to 7-0 before sophomore Svet Tintchev (Potomac, Md./Bullis) closed out the scoring on a transition goal that featured Zorovich's fifth assist on the night.  Michigan killed off two penalties in the final two minutes as Townsend and the Wolverines could taste the shutout.  Michigan was successful in keeping the Buffs off the board as U-M won their fifth game on the road versus a ranked opponent. 

Statistically, it was a mixed bag for the Wolverines.  U-M was outshot by their opponent 39-35, but scooped up more groundballs, 37 to 23.  U-M was 7 of 12 on faceoffs, and finished 21 of 25 on clears, while CU cleared the ball at a rate of 15 for 20.  Michigan failed to score on three man-up attempts but also kept Colorado scoreless on their four attempts.

The Wolverines will be back in action on Saturday, April 12, when they travel to Fort Collins to take on Colorado State University.

NOTES

● Townsend's 28 saves sets a career high, besting a 17-save performance vs. Arizona earlier this season (Feb. 27).   

● Michigan has out-scored their opponent 112-11 in their last six games. 

● Senior captain and faceoff specialist Brekan Kohlitz (St. Claire Shores, Mich./Notre Dame Harper Woods) finished 6 of 9 on faceoffs, while sophomore David Reinhard (East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing) won one of his three attempts.

 ● Senior Peter Krauss (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) and junior Zach Elyachar (Upper Saddle River, N.J./Northern Highlands) paced the squad with five groundballs a piece.

 ● Zorovich's five assists top his previous high of three vs. BYU earlier this season (March 1). 

● With another stingy defensive performance, Michigan is holding opponents to an average of 4.4 goals per game in 2008. 

● Michigan improves to 4-0 all-time vs. Colorado. 

● Freshman Trevor Yealy (3g, 0a) has scored at least three goals in six consecutive games, totaling 24 goals in that span.

QUOTES

Head Coach John Paul

On his general impressions:  "Offensively we were a little sloppier than we wanted to be, especially in the first quarter, but the defense came up big and Graham stood on his head.  Once we got that momentum going and they weren't scoring the defense really buckled down.  They saw an opportunity and they wanted to finish the game.  Once we saw that opportunity to have a shutdown defense night, we just built off that.  We felt it was something special and you could sense how into it the sideline was."

On the early struggles: "I thought the energy was there, but they were playing solid defense and their goalie played very well.  I also think it took us a little time to get used to the cold but once we warmed up and settled down we started executing a little better."

On the defensive success:  "Obviously we wanted to keep them shooting outside, but Graham certainly made some very difficult saves.  Our defense did a nice job of sliding tonight and the defense was always there to help each other.  We only switched into a zone a couple of times and it was nice to get some zone work in against quality opposition."

On getting a chance to play top-level competition:  "This was a nice opportunity for us to get a chance to play a team that we consider very good.  It's been a month, and it was nice to get back into that mode of playing better lacrosse.  We needed this game going into Saturday."

On the upcoming game vs. Colorado State:  "We know they weren't happy with the way they played last week vs. BYU and it's their Hall of Fame induction so you know they're going to be up for it.  It's a big game for us too though because this is one of only two teams we have a losing record to.  We have a lot of respect for their program."

Junior James Payer

On the defensive effort:  "Once Graham made that two on none save early on, we knew he was going to have a special game.  We are so comfortable with each and we know what we're good at.  We want to keep them outside and just play smart.  We're so deep across the board as well that we have confidence no matter who's in there."

Junior Zach Elyachar

On the confidence of the unit:  "Scott had us prepared again like he has all season and even when we messed up and got beat, Graham was there to make the save.  When your goalie is playing that well it gets you going as well, and it takes you to another level where you want to make a play yourself."

Senior Graham Townsend

On his performance:  "Our defense did a great job of keeping them outside, and I got lucky with a few off the post, and a few off the helmet, but it seemed like everything was going into my stick.  When it got down low I felt like I could really read the play and I had a good sense of what they wanted to do.  I felt great out there.  To not allow any goals against a team like that is special to me."

On the two on none play:  "I remember thinking I was a little out of position in the cage and that I was giving up the left side a little.  I took a step towards the left because I had a sense he was going to go there, and luckily it hit my foot.  It's one of those plays where you try to read the situation as best as possible but a little luck certainly helps and it worked out in the end."

On getting up for CSU:  "It's a huge game for us because this will be the last big game vs. a top-10 opponent before the post-season.  I was actually a little concerned about getting through this game, and coming out healthy, and not having any slipups.  Saturday's game is huge though, and I think we'll respond well to it."

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