University of Delaware Athletics
Tenth-Ranked Michigan Posts 4-1 Field Hockey Victory Over Blue Hens Behind Leslie Smith's Hat Trick
9/1/2012 8:45:00 PM | Field Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan sophomore back Leslie Smith recorded a hat trick to lead the 10th-ranked Wolverines to a 4-1 victory over the University of Delaware field hockey team Saturday afternoon at Phyllis Ocker Field.
After dropping its opening three games of the season in overtime, Delaware lost its first contest in regulation while falling to 0-4 on the campaign. Michigan, which opened its season with losses to ranked opponents North Carolina and Wake Forest, improved to 1-2 on the year.
Smith, who entered the day with two career goals before notching three against the Blue Hens, opened the scoring just 3:52 into the game when she corralled a rebound off a penalty corner and delivered a sweeping shot into the corner of the cage.
Wolverines freshman Aisling Naughton added another goal off a penalty corner rebound with 8:29 left in the first half, and Michigan took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Smith scored her second goal of the day with 25:05 remaining in the game when she took a pass from Rachael Mack off a penalty corner and found the back of the cage, and completed her hat track less than eight minutes later by converting a penalty stroke.
Playing their third ranked opponent of the season, the Blue Hens would not quit and finally got on the board with 9:48 to play in the contest. Delaware junior Kasey Prettyman rushed into the circle from the left side before feeding a pass in front to senior Tory Sharpless (at right), who buried a shot to avoid the shutout. The goal was the first of the season and seventh career marker for Sharpless, while Prettyman recorded her third career assist.
Making her Blue Hen debut, freshman goalkeeper UD Mégane Simons made six saves and allowed four goals while playing all 70 minutes in the Delaware cage. Haley Jones and Adrianna Crovo split time in the Michigan net, with neither goalkeeper stopping a shot.
The Wolverines held a 14-5 advantage in shots and a narrow 5-4 edge in penalty corners.
The Blue Hens will look for their first win of the season on Wednesday when Delaware opens a three-game homestand by hosting Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m.
