University of Richmond
Michigan
No. 20 Michigan Hands 19th-Ranked Spiders First Loss Of Season, 3-2
09/08/2006 | Field Hockey
Sept. 8, 2006
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Junior Shannon Taylor scored her fourth goal of the year, while freshman Lindsey Conrad notched the first goal of her career, but it was not enough as No. 20 Michigan handed the 19th-ranked Richmond Spider field hockey squad its first loss of the season, 3-2, Friday evening in Norfolk, Va. The Spiders, now 2-1 on the year, will try and regroup before another game tomorrow in Norfolk against the third-ranked Old Dominion Lady Monarchs at 3 p.m.
Senior Heather Wrublesky and Conrad got the Spiders off to a fast start when the two combined for a score in the fifth minute of play. Wrublesky was able to draw Michigan goalie, Beth Riley, away from the cage before she laid it off to Conrad along the left side for the goal. The Wolverines answered in the 21st minute when Stephanie Hoyer scored her first goal of the season.
Taylor put the Spiders back on top in the 39th minute of play with her signature untouched blast from the top of the circle. Less than a minute after Taylor's blast, Hoyer equalized the game with her second of the night after a scramble in front of freshman Becca Weaver.
The Wolverines capitalized on one of their three penalty corners in the second half by scoring the game-winner in the 68th minute. Kristen Tiner used assists by Mary Fox and Jillianne Whitfield for the score.
The Spiders, who garnered seven penalty corners in the second half, had one last shot on a penalty corner as time expired, but a failed stick-stop halted the rally.
Along with her go-ahead goal in the 39th minute, Taylor garnered two defensive saves, while freshman Jess Weidner notched one defensive save.
The Spiders return to action tomorrow, Sept. 9, when they face No. 3 Old Dominion at Foreman Field in Norfolk, Va. Game time against the Lady Monarchs is slated for 3 p.m. Be sure to logon to Richmond's official athletics website -- RichmondSpiders.com for all the latest information on Spider field hockey.
