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Sometimes it only takes one player to propel a team to a victory. But in the Michigan women’s soccer team matchup against Purdue Sunday, working as a unit was what it needed to pull out a win.
In search of just their third win of the season, the Wolverines (3-12-2 overall, 2-7-1 Big Ten) squared off against the Boilermakers (7-8-2, 3-6-1). And in resounding fashion, Michigan bested Purdue, 2-0, backed by complete domination on both sides of the field.
From the initial kickoff, the Wolverines came out hot. With junior forward Kali Burrel on the wing, senior midfielder Avery Kalitta in the center and junior forward Jenna Lang up top, Michigan found plenty of opportunities in its offensive third. Quick passes in the midfield and runs down the sideline opened up space for the Wolverines, allowing Lang to take her first shot just five minutes into the game
Defensively, Michigan also stood tall. With physicality and strong coordination with the midfield, the Wolverines’ defensive line held the Boilermakers to just two shots the entire first half. Furthermore, by shutting down passing lanes, Michigan intercepted every counter attack and sent the ball back into its offensive half.
“To get a shutout and to keep a clean sheet was really special for our team and for our defenders and for our goalkeepers,” Wolverines coach Jennifer Klein said. “It’s been something, in a way, we felt like we’ve just been unlucky in a lot of moments. And I think today, luck finally went our way, and we were able to do it.”
In the 43rd minute, Michigan’s continuous efforts paid off. After building out from the back, playing to the sideline and finding the top of the box, the Wolverines converted their first goal with a shot off the right post from sophomore defender Campbell Jewell.
“From the beginning, we were knocking on their door in terms of shots,” Lang said. “A lot of younger players really showed up today, but I think across the board, our attack was very composed and executed things consistently. Even though our first shots weren’t falling, we were still driving and taking players on and trying to get that second or third or fourth.”
Michigan’s dominance continued into the second half. Patience from defenders and continued communication with the midfield allowed the Wolverines to stay in possession, making slow moves en route to their second goal. Constant pressure, especially from strikers, forced Purdue into making mistakes, giving Michigan crosses and opportunities in the box.
With only two minutes left in the game, Lang delivered the nail in the coffin. After receiving a throw-in and performing a well-executed scissor in the box, Lang slotted the ball past the keeper, putting the Wolverines up two in their penultimate match of the season.
“We’re just so proud and happy of our team, to end with our last home game of the year with the win,” Klein said. “It’s been a tough season for us … And I’ve been so impressed with our team’s ability to continue to pick themselves back up, show real perseverance and grit, to continue to show up every single day, not getting the results that we’ve that we’ve wanted, sometimes results that we feel we deserved, but they showed today and really show their true character.”
Earning a victory in the Big Ten takes a team ready to deliver offensively and defensively. Everyone needs to buy into the system and work cohesively across the entire field. And against Purdue, that’s exactly what Michigan did.
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