The last time sixth-ranked Penn State faced No. 8 Michigan was last year in the Big Ten Tournament Championship game. Michigan came away with the 1-0 win, so yesterday's rematch was bound to be a fight to the end.
With both teams entering the game undefeated in conference play, the margin for error was slim.
With about two minutes left in the second half and the game scoreless, Penn State senior back Cori Conley was called for a foul and received her second yellow card of the game after colliding with a Michigan player in the shooting circle. Penn State challenged the call but it was upheld after video review. Michigan was awarded a penalty stroke as a result and junior midfielder/forward Meg Dowthwaite converted the stroke past Penn State senior goalkeeper Jenny Rizzo for the game-winning goal.
"It was unfortunate that was the situation at the end of the game. That's a big price to pay," Penn State head coach Char Morett-Curtiss said following the game.
When Conley was called for her first yellow card with about 11 minutes left in the contest, Penn State had to adjust by moving senior midfielder Katie Dembrowski to center back. Dembrowski usually subs in for Conley midway through each half so the co-captain was able to use her experience to help the team defend Michigan until Conley could return to the field.
"I thought we adjusted really well and the team handled that very well, playing down like that without one of your better players," Morett-Curtiss said.
Conley was not the only player who received a card in the second half, as three different Michigan players were given green cards in the span of about eight minutes.
With both teams playing at a high-level and fighting for possession, the physicality of the game only intensified as the game went on.
"I thought we battled well, fought through things and I thought it was a great game by both teams," Morett-Curtiss said.
Both teams had opportunities to break the draw throughout the game but Rizzo and Michigan freshman goalkeeper Anna Spieker matched each other save for save for most of the night.
While neither team scored on a penalty corner, Penn State had the edge earning five more corners than Michigan. However, Penn State struggled to adjust to Michigan's defensive tactic on corners of sending its flyer straight at the shooter at the top of the shooting circle.
"It was disappointing for our corners tonight because I didn't feel like we really adjusted to their flyer coming out so fast, so I think that's something we really need to look at and we have to improve that," Morett-Curtiss said.
Penn State was held scoreless for the first time this season and while Michigan's defense disrupted Penn State's offensive attack, poor decision making also played a role in Penn State's inability to finish their scoring opportunities.
"We did not make the smart decisions and they capitalized on it," Morett-Curtiss said. "I think there's a couple of times we just need to have a little bit more composure and make better decisions."
Although Penn State did not come away with the win, the way in which they competed against Michigan is something that they can build on as conference play continues. Penn State has the opportunity to rebound after this defeat as it takes on Michigan State this Sunday, Sept. 23.
"The Michigan versus Penn State game is always a knockout, drag out fight," Morett-Curtiss said. "I think that we have to bring that type of fight every game."
