Outscored 11-2 in their previous four matchups, the Michigan’s women soccer team had clear gaps to tighten up on the defensive side. Especially with the Wolverines’ most recent loss to Western Michigan stemming from early-game defensive breakdowns, Michigan needed to remedy its play in the back half ahead of its tough conference schedule.
And though Youngstown State is not as competitive as the Wolverines’ previous opponents, Michigan’s backline played a near-perfect game. Giving up just four shots — with none of them posing much of a threat — the Wolverines demonstrated that they have the personnel and the talent to keep a clean-slate.
“The last couple of days, we definitely have given up goals,” Michigan coach Jennifer Klein said. “And, it’s always nice when you can have a result where you don’t give up any. So overall, I’m just proud of the team.”
While still utilizing their offensive-focused three-back formation, the Wolverines came out attacking. After five corners, two shots and a goal by the eighth minute of the match, Michigan’s defense pushed up the field. With only a singular striker to mark, the Wolverines backline aided in resetting plays, giving midfielders support in flipping the field when needed.
“In this game, we really wanted to focus skipping lines,” junior defender Stella Tapia said. “So driving the ball forward a lot and really exploiting their back line as much as we can since they were very deep.”
Michigan playing its backline high up, though, opened itself up to counterattacks. The first of these came in the 24th minute, with the Penguins playing the ball up the right, while two other players streaked towards the goal on the left. However, with composure, the Wolverines cut off the passing lanes and cleared the cross as soon as it arrived.
Nine minutes later, Michigan remained solid again. In a one-on-one at the top of the box, sophomore defender Ellie Fife minimized damage, drawing her attacker in and then forcing her outside. Youngstown State managed to get a shot off at the inside post, but senior goalie Sophie Homan easily made the save.
In the second half, the Penguins turned up their offense a notch, but the Wolverines contained the flame. Even with two shots in the first five minutes of play, Michigan’s man coverage kept a header harmless and transformed a long ball over the top into a goal kick.
Offensively, the Wolverines still continued to depend on their backline, especially junior defender Campbell Jewell. Playing as an inverted back, Jewell opened the field. And after checking into a throw-in, she ultimately set a series of passes in motion that became Michigan’s second goal of the game.
“As we look it’s, ‘How can we continue to track teams higher up the field?’ ” Klein said. “Have a good shape behind the ball to one, to help us lock teams in and recirculate possessions, but also it puts us in a good place for some defensive transition moments.”
With less room for error due to their three-back formation, the Wolverines need consistent composure at all times from their backline. And on Sunday, in its last opportunity before Big Ten play, Michigan dotted all their i’s and crossed all their t’s against Youngstown State.
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