Michigan Wolverines
Overall Rank: #13
#1 Big Ten
Michigan Team Page
Michigan has very steadily turned itself into an emerging national power in women’s college soccer under the guidance of head coach Greg Ryan. The 2013 season was another outstanding one where the Wolverines advanced, once again, to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Virginia. There will be some retooling of the lineup for Coach Ryan early on in the season, however, there is still plenty of talent returning to make a run at the College Cup.
2013 Record: 18-4-1, 9-1-1
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Greg Ryan
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Madisson Lewis, Sophomore, M/F, 6
Assists: Madisson Lewis, Sophomore, M/F, 9
Shots: Madisson Lewis, Sophomore, M/F, 36
Saves: Taylor Bucklin, Sophomore, GK, 79
Other Key Returnees: F Nicky Waldeck, M/F Corinne Harris, M Cassie Collins, D Christina Ordonez, D Chloe Sosenko
Key Losses: F Nkem Ezurike, M Meghan Toohey, M Tori McCombs, M Christina Murillo, D Shelina Zadorsky, D Holly Hein, D/M Kayla Mannino
Strengths:
Madisson Lewis will be looking to build off of an excellent freshman season as she scored six goals and dished out nine assists for Michigan in 2013. Lewis will be a critical component within the attack for the Wolverines to help overcome the losses of Nkem Ezurike and Meghan Toohey. The backline should still be very good in 2014. Sophomore Taylor Bucklin returns in goal and anchors a back line that only allowed a 0.51 goals against average in 2013.
Weaknesses:
There are not a ton of weaknesses with this Michigan side. The key is going to finding a way to be a little more dynamic offensively especially against stronger teams. For Michigan to break through and get to the College Cup they need to be able to win a 2-1 or 3-2 type of match in the NCAA Tournament if necessary.
Final Projection:
Michigan should be able to get off to a strong start as the most challenging part of the non-conference schedule is a trip to San Diego and San Diego State. If the Wolverines can get results in those matches they should have plenty of momentum heading into the Big Ten conference schedule. A trip to College Park to play Maryland looms on September 19th at Ludwig Field. Michigan should be stronger than the Terrapins, but Ludwig Field is a very difficult place to get a result. The rest of the key Big Ten matches for the Wolverines are at home as Nebraska visits on October 2nd and Penn State visits on October 16th. For Michigan to get one the top two seed lines for the NCAA Tournament they need to take care of business at home against the Cornhuskers and Nittany Lions. Look for the Wolverines to be once again in the College Cup conversation by the end of the season.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.96 (45th in nation, 4th in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.514 (8, 1)
Shutout Percentage: 0.522 (25, 1)
Save Percentage: 0.872 (9, 1)
Madness 2014 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#43 Taylor Timko
#71 Megan Hinz
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Women's Soccer Previews
