[an error occurred while processing this directive] Michigan 18 Penn State 4 - University of Michigan Women's Lacrosse Team

#4 Michigan 18 Penn State 4

Mar. 6, 2009

Ann Arbor, MI -- After defeating Ohio State earlier in the evening, the Wolverines (6-2, 2-0) picked up right where they left off, trouncing Penn State 18-4 in Friday night's finale at Oosterbaan Fieldhouse. Alexis Pavle (Grosse Pointe, MI/Grosse Pointe South) kicked off the scoring for Michigan in the game's opening minute. Amy Johnson (Washington, D.C./Holton-Arms) added one of her season-high five goals just two minutes later and the rout was on. Penn State seemed drained after a long day of travel, then rallying from behind against #14 Michigan State before falling 10-8. Despite the nearly three hours of rest, the Nittany Lions seemed fairly tame from the opening draw against the tournament host Wolverines.

Eight different Wolverines found the net against the overmatched Nittany Lions (1-2). The Michigan fans who stuck around for the night's final game were not disappointed as Michigan scored eleven goals in the first half including three in the first five minutes of action. "One of the things we were working on today was our offense, moving the ball and setting up some of our plays out of the attack," said head coach, Jen Dunbar after the game. "Today we did a really nice job on it and we'll continue building on it."

Quad-captain Micaela Battiste (Flint, MI/Grand Blanc) set up a pair of highlight goals in the first half with her passing, assisting on Johnson's first goal of the night at the 22:05 mark as well as fellow quad-captain, Rachel Lary's (San Diego, CA/Torrey Pines) tally at 19:36. Lary scored two goals within a 1:22 of each other for her third multi-goal effort on the year.

Michigan dominated the second half as Johnson scored her third goal of the game :59 after the intermission. Britt Boehm (Cleveland, OH/Magnificent) nailed home her second of three goals on the game on an eight meter penalty following a Penn State foul. Boehm charged from the left hash and bounced one past the Penn State goalie to give Michigan a 13-3 lead. Johnson continued her domination using her 5'10" frame to shoot over the Penn State defenders for back-to-back goals at 19:23 and 17:40. Pavle got back in the offensive action as well, scoring despite being fouled by the Penn State defender. The goal was disallowed as the officials gathered and decided that the foul was called before Pavle's shot. That only delayed the inevitable as Pavle powered a shot past the goalie on the ensuing eight-meter to put the Wolverines ahead 16-4. Boehm knocked home a rebound for her third goal of the game before Ashley Felber wrapped up the scoring with her third goal of the season.

Game Notes: Michigan remained undefeated at home, moving to 4-0 at Oosterbaan this season...Johnson's five goals and Boehm's three goals moved them into a tie for the team lead for goals on the season...The multi-goal effort was Johnson's team-leading sixth of the season...Johnson has now scored in seven of Michigan's eight games this year...WCBN's Matt Boyer and John Zaccardelli had the call of this game on the WCBN Sports Stream...Michigan' will play Wisconsin Saturday night at 8:30, also to be broadcast online...Michigan's Ashley Felber wore Sam Staroba's #19 jersey after her #15 blue jersey went missing before the game. Staroba is out with a knee injury.

Quotes:

Head Coach, Jen Dunbar: It was a great way to start the weekend. We've had a little break so it was great to come back with some strong games...We played some good teams and we played really hard and put together some things we've been working on.

Were you surprised at the number of goals scored in the two games? I don't know surprised, but I think very pleased. They were all enthusiastic before the game and they looked like they were ready to play. It was pleasant to see that they put it all together. It was something that they knew they could do so to have them step out on the field and do it is awesome to see.

On the fans: It was great to see the sidelines packed, it was loud and just a really fun atmosphere.

Contact: Stuart Zaas (734)-239-4711, szaas@umich.edu