A lot more to talk about this week, with Michigan having 4 teams in action. It wasn't a resoundingly great weekend, but there were no significant disappointments either. Here's your recap:
TEAM OF THE WEEK - FIELD HOCKEY
This was a no-brainer. The field hockey team started off their season on Saturday with a thrilling 3-2 upset of #1 North Carolina. Then today they avoided the let-down and won a shootout with #15 Wake Forest, 5-4. These two wins will for sure move Michigan into the top 10, and might even have them on the cusp of the top 5.
Obviously, this is a dream overall result for the first weekend. Not sure what to make of the specifics of the two games. Michigan for the last two years has been a great defensive team that struggles to score against top flight competition. With their top returners being on the defensive side, this figured to continue...then they go start the season with two offensive slugfests. If the offense has really improved that much, then look out, because I don't see any way the defense will keep giving up 3 goals per game.
While it's just two games, judging by the highlights it looks like Sophomore Meg Dowthwaite and Junior Emma Way might be ready to have breakout seasons. If they develop some star power on the attack, Michigan could be a legit national title contender.
MEN'S SOCCER
The men's soccer team won their opener by beating William & Mary 1-0. Not sure how much can really be taken from this game.
Positives: They won the game. The mostly new and young defense kept a clean scoresheet.
Not-so-positives: It was a 1 goal win against a team that ain't exactly a traditional powerhouse. Their only goal came off of a flukey handball that lead to a penalty kick.
The bottom line is, they played a game...they won that game...and that's really about all that can be said for now.
One big potential area of concern is that their best player, Francis Atuahene, did not play at all. I haven't heard anything, but if there's any serious injury involved here, that would be a HUGE blow to the team.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
The women's soccer team moved into the top 25 (#23) this week after winning their first two games. Things weren't quite as great this week, as they travelled down to Oxford and tied Mississippi 1-1. Mississippi is supposed to be decent, so a tie isn't the worst thing in the world. Would've been nice to see one of the veteran attackers get a goal late to win it, but such is life.
Positives: Taylor Timko scored again - she's gonna be an All-American easily if she keeps this up. Plenty of freshman are playing significant minutes, which will help on the depth front immensely.
Not-so-positives: Senior forward Ana Sarkisian still hasn't gotten on the board yet - need to find a way to get her going.
The Wolverines still have a game tonight against Toledo. Hopefully, that's a pretty easy win for them.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
The one team that had a little bit of a disappointing start to the season. The #16 volleyball team went 2-1 this weekend with wins over Albany and Loyola Marymount and a loss to an unranked USC team. It's just an opening weekend, so no huge concern yet, but they definitely weren't sharp this weekend. Their two wins were both straight sets, but they were close games and Michigan had trouble playing well for extended stretches in all 3 matches.
Positives: As expected Mackenzi Welsh looks like the real deal at the Setter position. She is a capable attacker and blocker as well as being a great setter, and will be a load for teams to deal with.
Not-so-positives: The attacking positions were good overall, but inconsistent - no one played poorly, but no one looked like they're about to make a big leap either. Consistency wasn't there at all - lots of service errors and poor passes.
I expect this team to play much better sooner rather than later, but they will have to learn to avoid long mental lapses by the time conference play starts, because the Big Ten is brutal.
There's your week 2 recap. Hope you enjoyed.
TEAM OF THE WEEK - FIELD HOCKEY
This was a no-brainer. The field hockey team started off their season on Saturday with a thrilling 3-2 upset of #1 North Carolina. Then today they avoided the let-down and won a shootout with #15 Wake Forest, 5-4. These two wins will for sure move Michigan into the top 10, and might even have them on the cusp of the top 5.
Obviously, this is a dream overall result for the first weekend. Not sure what to make of the specifics of the two games. Michigan for the last two years has been a great defensive team that struggles to score against top flight competition. With their top returners being on the defensive side, this figured to continue...then they go start the season with two offensive slugfests. If the offense has really improved that much, then look out, because I don't see any way the defense will keep giving up 3 goals per game.
While it's just two games, judging by the highlights it looks like Sophomore Meg Dowthwaite and Junior Emma Way might be ready to have breakout seasons. If they develop some star power on the attack, Michigan could be a legit national title contender.
MEN'S SOCCER
The men's soccer team won their opener by beating William & Mary 1-0. Not sure how much can really be taken from this game.
Positives: They won the game. The mostly new and young defense kept a clean scoresheet.
Not-so-positives: It was a 1 goal win against a team that ain't exactly a traditional powerhouse. Their only goal came off of a flukey handball that lead to a penalty kick.
The bottom line is, they played a game...they won that game...and that's really about all that can be said for now.
One big potential area of concern is that their best player, Francis Atuahene, did not play at all. I haven't heard anything, but if there's any serious injury involved here, that would be a HUGE blow to the team.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
The women's soccer team moved into the top 25 (#23) this week after winning their first two games. Things weren't quite as great this week, as they travelled down to Oxford and tied Mississippi 1-1. Mississippi is supposed to be decent, so a tie isn't the worst thing in the world. Would've been nice to see one of the veteran attackers get a goal late to win it, but such is life.
Positives: Taylor Timko scored again - she's gonna be an All-American easily if she keeps this up. Plenty of freshman are playing significant minutes, which will help on the depth front immensely.
Not-so-positives: Senior forward Ana Sarkisian still hasn't gotten on the board yet - need to find a way to get her going.
The Wolverines still have a game tonight against Toledo. Hopefully, that's a pretty easy win for them.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
The one team that had a little bit of a disappointing start to the season. The #16 volleyball team went 2-1 this weekend with wins over Albany and Loyola Marymount and a loss to an unranked USC team. It's just an opening weekend, so no huge concern yet, but they definitely weren't sharp this weekend. Their two wins were both straight sets, but they were close games and Michigan had trouble playing well for extended stretches in all 3 matches.
Positives: As expected Mackenzi Welsh looks like the real deal at the Setter position. She is a capable attacker and blocker as well as being a great setter, and will be a load for teams to deal with.
Not-so-positives: The attacking positions were good overall, but inconsistent - no one played poorly, but no one looked like they're about to make a big leap either. Consistency wasn't there at all - lots of service errors and poor passes.
I expect this team to play much better sooner rather than later, but they will have to learn to avoid long mental lapses by the time conference play starts, because the Big Ten is brutal.
There's your week 2 recap. Hope you enjoyed.
