WSU Soccer loses first game of season in Michigan

Sturdy first half propels Michigan to victory

WSU Soccer (0-1) misplaced their season opener Thursday in opposition to the Michigan Wolverines 2-1 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The final time the Cougs and Michigan met was in September 2019 in Pullman the place Michigan received 2-1 as nicely. 

Getting into the competition, Michigan was ranked No. 9 within the United Coaches Ballot whereas the Cougs sat at No. 19.  

On Aug. 18, the Wolverines bought off to a scorching begin and produced two targets within the first half. The Cougs answered within the second half with a aim of their very own, however couldn’t discover the tying aim and fell 2-1.

Within the first half, WSU had 4 photographs and produced zero targets whereas the Wolverines had 5 photographs and produced two targets. 

“Michigan’s a great staff, we didn’t end, I wouldn’t say they dealt with us, we couldn’t end our possibilities there on the finish,” WSU head coach Todd Schulenberger mentioned postgame.

WSU goalkeeper Nadia Cooper had two saves within the first half which ended up being the one two saves of the sport for WSU. 

The primary aim within the recreation got here within the eleventh minute with a aim from Sammi Woods that was assisted by Sarah Bridenstine. Bridenstine then bought a aim herself within the twenty first minute of the primary half to double the Wolverines’ lead.

“They’re good on the counter too, they’re good at crossing and ending that’s how they bought us,” Shulenberger mentioned postgame. 

The one yellow card of the half got here from the Wolverines as Danielle Wolfe bought a yellow for the foul on Alyssa Grey. 

The Cougs produced 4 photographs within the first half, one from Mackenzie Frimpong-Ellertson, one from Jenna Studer, one from Margie Detrizio and one from Lexi Lerwick. Solely Lerwick’s shot was on course.

WSU took over the second half of the sport and outshot the Wolverines 13-0. Out of the 13 photographs from the Cougs they’d eight on course and one in all them was a aim from Detrizio within the 56th minute of the sport. The aim was assisted by Reese Tappan. The entire Cougs seven different photographs on course within the second half have been saved by the Wolverines.

Detrizio led all gamers with 5 photographs on aim. Lily Boyden had the second most photographs on aim for the Cougs with two. 

Cooper, Tappan, Bridget Rieken and Mykiaa Minniss have been the one Cougs starters to play all 90 minutes of the sport. 

The Cougs had three corners within the second whereas the Wolverines had none. WSU was on the assault all second half, always placing stress on the Wolverine protection, particularly within the final quarter-hour of the sport the place WSU had six photographs and 4 of them on course however no targets. 

Successful on the street shouldn’t be straightforward, however this recreation felt like one which slipped away from the Cougs, Shulenberger mentioned postgame.

Apart from the 2 targets allowed by the Cougs, their protection appeared strong. Three of the 4 Coug defenders performed all 90 minutes and stored the photographs and stress on Cooper to a minimal, which is a optimistic takeaway from the sport contemplating the Wolverines have been ranked within the top-10 within the nation. 

One other optimistic takeaway from the sport was the play of Detrizio, whose seven photographs with 5 on course and one aim in simply 66 minutes of motion is a brilliant spot for the junior. 

On the Wolverine aspect of the sector, they’d two gamers who performed 90 minutes: goalkeeper Izzy Nino and ahead Emily Leyson. The Wolverines made six substitutions within the recreation with Danielle Wolfe enjoying 55 minutes to guide the subs for Michigan. Wolfe had one of many 4 photographs on aim for Michigan.  WSU used seven substitutions within the recreation with Boyden enjoying probably the most minutes for the subs with 62. She additionally had two photographs on course within the recreation. 

The subsequent time the Cougs take the sector is Thursday once they host the Portland Pilots for his or her first dwelling recreation of the season and intention to get their first win of 2022. The sport is about to start out at 7 p.m. on the Decrease Soccer Discipline and may be watched on-line by means of the WSU Livestream.