Women's Soccer Beats Illinois State, Will Face ND in Sweet 16

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior Nkem Ezurike (Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia/Sackville) of the No. 11-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team became the program's career leader in points and was one of three goal-scorers, helping the Wolverines reach the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second straight season in a 3-0 victory over Illinois State in the second round on Friday (Nov. 22) at U-M Soccer Stadium.

Freshman Madisson Lewis (Canton, Mich./Plymouth) and fifth-year senior Holly Hein(Castaic, Calif./West Ranch) also scored goals, while freshman Taylor Bucklin (Greenwich, Conn./Brookfield) made three saves for her 11th shutout of the season, tying a single-season record.

Like last week, U-M started strong, getting a goal within the first three minutes of the match. Sophomore Christina Ordonez(Elmhurst, Ill./York) took the ball to the end line and crossed the ball to the far post to Lewis, who put a head on the ball to the near post, over the head of Illinois State goalkeeper Aryn Newsom and into the side netting to give U-M the 1-0 lead. The Wolverines peppered Illinois State with six shots on goal during the opening frame, leading in shots by a 13-4 margin.

Ezurike added to Michigan's lead less than five minutes into the second half, scoring an improbable goal close to the end line. She received a through ball from senior Meghan Toohey (Philadelphia, Pa./Phil-Mont Christian) and took it toward the far post. A few feet from the end line, Ezurike stopped, turned to her right towards the goal and launched a left-footed strike on a difficult angle into the upper netting to give Michigan the 2-0 lead.

Thirteen minutes later, Hein added an insurance goal off a corner kick. Senior Shelina Zadorsky (London, Ontario/St. Thomas Aquinas) took the corner on the near side and placed perfect service into the box. The ball might have gone into the net anyway, but Hein got a header on it for good measure, putting U-M up 3-0 with less than 30 minutes to play. The defense kept the pressure off Bucklin the remainder of the second half, limiting the Redbirds to shots from distance.

The Wolverines return to U-M Soccer Stadium for the third round on Sunday (Nov. 24) against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish beat Western Michigan, 1-0, earlier in the day to advance. Sunday's match will begin at 1 p.m.

U-M is 2-12-1 all-time against Notre Dame. The two teams have not faced each other since Aug. 22, 2008, a 7-0 loss in South Bend, Ind., in what was Greg Ryan's first match as Michigan head coach. They have played three times in the NCAA Tournament, with Michigan going 1-2 in those matches. The last time they met in the NCAA Tournament was 2002 (second round), with Michigan winning, 1-0, in South Bend.

For a full recap, click here: http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/112213aaa.html

For tickets to U-M's next game -- Sunday, Nov. 24 -- vs. Notre Dame (U-M Soccer Stadium), 1 p.m., click here: Tickets