For the Michigan women’s soccer team, notches in the win column have been hard to come by this year – and shutouts haven’t come any easier. Thus, the pursuit of a win and the allure of a shutout have been fleeting. However, in searching for their first win in nearly a month, the Wolverines relied on their defense and physicality en route to a 2-0 victory over Purdue.
Strong challenges and winning possession were a big part of Michigan’s defensive success on Sunday. Tackles across the field – including a goal-saving tackle before the end of the first half by graduate defenseman Erin Junkmann – helped the Wolverines control possession and set up offensive opportunities in the attacking half.
“We want to be a team that dictates and is proactive and aggressive in what we do,” Michigan coach Jennifer Klein said. “And part of that is being aggressive defensively.”
For the Wolverines, controlling time of possession through their physical playstyle was key to limiting the amount of chances that the Boilermakers could muster. Throughout the first half of play, Michigan blocked passing lanes and attempted hard challenges – sometimes with two defenders on the ball – which both led to a stymied offensive attack and an ability for the Wolverines to control the game.
Simply put, it’s difficult to score goals without possessing the ball. And as Michigan controlled ball movement, Purdue’s inability to control possession spelled an inability to convert opportunities into goals.
While Michigan’s defense hasn’t garnered the results it’s wanted throughout this season, the physicality on the ball was a marked improvement in what has been a point of struggle so far for the Wolverines.
In addition to on-ball physicality, Michigan emphasized communication within its lines to promote cohesion throughout the defensive front. With 11 minutes remaining in the first half and both teams held scoreless, the Wolverines found themselves backed up against their own goal as the Boilermakers threatened to break the tie. However, Michigan’s defenders coalesced around their goalie and were able to deflect two shot attempts and clear the ball, thwarting the would-be threat.
“Communicating, having our holding mids and attacking mids drop back was super helpful,” senior midfielder Avery Kalitta said. “It helped to organize and drop back to protect against any through balls.”
Kalitta’s aptitude for defending as a midfielder speaks to the versatility the Wolverines relied on throughout the game. Midfielders dropping back and communicating effectively led to Michigan’s success in the back half as the team’s fluidity helped to stuff attacks and keep a clean sheet.
Coupled with the fluidity of the Wolverines’ midfielders positioning, the high line that they played allowed them to keep defensive pressure up on Purdue.
“We talked about our defensive organization and ways of making sure we could get pressure higher up,” Klein said of second-half adjustments. “Which I felt we did really well in the second half.”
While Michigan’s time of possession was diminished in the second half, its high line still stifled the Boilermaker’s goal-scoring chances. Despite playing in different formations throughout the match, the Wolverines maintained a defensive continuity through their on-ball pressure, aided by their consistently high line. Paired with an emphasis on physicality, Michigan’s defense played a clean second half that didn’t allow many opportunities for Purdue to gain offensive traction.
Earning their first shutout in conference play, the Wolverines’ defense definitely showed the ability to play as a physical and cohesive unit. Although shutouts are unrealistic to expect as a result, the keys to earning one –physicality and cohesiveness – are coaching points that should continue to be emphasized for Michigan’s defense.
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