May. 15th, 2004 - Wolverines (Almost) Shut Out Oregon in Second Half, Win Final Consolation Game
Wolverines (Almost) Shut Out Oregon in Second Half, Win Final Consolation Game
Article By Rene Kozarsky
FENTON, MO - The Michigan Wolverines closed out their 2004 season and MDIA tourney with a 7-5 win over the Oregon Ducks, in a shortened consolation game on Saturday morning. The Wolverines were down 4-3 at the half, but they shutout Oregon for the entire second half and scored four unanswered goals to grab the victory. The lone Duck goal came on a Julian Coffman tally as time expired.
"Michigan really beat us on ground balls (in the second half). It was difficult for us to clear the ball. We had some good possessions. Michigan's a really good team," added Oregon senior Jim O'Neil after playing in his final college game.
Oregon Coach Josh Barbour tried to explain his second team's collapse.
"We got out of our game. We didn't have very good possessions on offense in the second half. We started to panic."
But both teams looked a little tired after the long week in St. Louis. Even Michigan Head Coach John Paul struggled with the early morning Saturday consolation game.
"It's hard to motivate anybody. We all want to be into it, we all want to play hard, but we don't prepare the same way. To be honest I wasn't motivated either. It's hard to play when the coach is unmotivated and no one else motivated. We're here to win this whole thing."
But for the seniors it was their final time to step on the lacrosse filed in their school's colors. That includes Michigan's standouts Justin Gal and Jeff Hanna. Hanna commented about his teammates and about watching them in the future, as Michigan alum.
"I hope they have a great time, it's been fun for me. It's supposed to be fun."
Justin Gal agreed.
"I'm going to be rooting for them all the way. I hope they have as much fun as we did."
Coach Paul talked a little about how special this team was to him.
"In a lot of ways, this is the most fun I have with the team; the most satisfied I've been with the team. This was not the most talented team offensively we have ever had, but defensively it is the best team we have ever had. It's the best 'team' we've had, guys who just work hard, have a good attitude, and really focus on what they are doing. We had great senior leadership and a great bunch of guys."
Oregon's O'Neil also reflected back on his playing days at Eugene.
"When I went there in my freshman, the team was barely a team. Since then the players and the coaches really made an effort to step the program up and become a real legitimate team. We have come miles from there. The fact that we are here and got to the second round is really an accomplishment for the Oregon team."