As some of our Fall teams start to wrap up their regular season, here's a look at how things currently stand for all of them.
Women's Soccer:
After some heartbreaking losses this season, the soccer team needed a bit of a miracle to qualify as the 8th and final team for the Big Ten tournament. They first needed to beat both Maryland and MSU, and then hope that Iowa and Northwestern tied each other. Michigan took care of business against both Maryland and Nassar State, and then this afternoon...wouldn't you know it, Iowa and Northwestern tied. So Michigan lives on to play in the Big Ten tournament. They probably won't last too long, and the only way they make the national tourney is to win the whole Big Ten tourney, but at least the seniors get to play another game or two. And it's an improvement, albeit a modest one, from last year.
Men's Soccer:
Not sure what to make of this team. They are ranked in the top 20, but with no real quality wins. They've had 3 games against quality teams, and lost all 3...but all 3 losses were by one goal, and they outshot their opponent in 2 of the 3. Their last big game of the season is with MSU. Would be really nice to get that one big quality win. I think they'll make the tourney regardless, but I can't say it's a sure thing. If they make the national tourney, I really have no idea what to expect. This is definitely a good team, but not sure if they're anything more than that this year.
Volleyball:
Team took a heartbreaking loss at Illinois in 5 games on Friday, but are still having a great season overall and stand at 7-3 in the Big Ten. They'll remain ranked somewhere between 10-15 in the polls. The murderers row stretch of their schedule is upon them. 3 of the next 4 and 4 of the next 6 matches will be against top 10 teams. Going 3-3 over that stretch would actually be pretty good. Near lock to make the tournament, unless they completely fall apart. This could be a very dangerous team in the tourney too. They've proven that they can hang with just about anyone, and have developed some solid depth the last couple of weeks.
Field Hockey:
Michigan took on OSU today in their regular season finale. It was a thriller that saw Michigan get the game winner in double overtime for a 2-1 victory over their rivals. The win also got Michigan a share of the Big Ten regular season championship and 2 straight years of being Big Ten champs. Absolute lock to make the national tournament. This squad isn't quite as good as last year's, but they can hang with anyone and are legit threats to return to the Final Four.
Women's Soccer:
After some heartbreaking losses this season, the soccer team needed a bit of a miracle to qualify as the 8th and final team for the Big Ten tournament. They first needed to beat both Maryland and MSU, and then hope that Iowa and Northwestern tied each other. Michigan took care of business against both Maryland and Nassar State, and then this afternoon...wouldn't you know it, Iowa and Northwestern tied. So Michigan lives on to play in the Big Ten tournament. They probably won't last too long, and the only way they make the national tourney is to win the whole Big Ten tourney, but at least the seniors get to play another game or two. And it's an improvement, albeit a modest one, from last year.
Men's Soccer:
Not sure what to make of this team. They are ranked in the top 20, but with no real quality wins. They've had 3 games against quality teams, and lost all 3...but all 3 losses were by one goal, and they outshot their opponent in 2 of the 3. Their last big game of the season is with MSU. Would be really nice to get that one big quality win. I think they'll make the tourney regardless, but I can't say it's a sure thing. If they make the national tourney, I really have no idea what to expect. This is definitely a good team, but not sure if they're anything more than that this year.
Volleyball:
Team took a heartbreaking loss at Illinois in 5 games on Friday, but are still having a great season overall and stand at 7-3 in the Big Ten. They'll remain ranked somewhere between 10-15 in the polls. The murderers row stretch of their schedule is upon them. 3 of the next 4 and 4 of the next 6 matches will be against top 10 teams. Going 3-3 over that stretch would actually be pretty good. Near lock to make the tournament, unless they completely fall apart. This could be a very dangerous team in the tourney too. They've proven that they can hang with just about anyone, and have developed some solid depth the last couple of weeks.
Field Hockey:
Michigan took on OSU today in their regular season finale. It was a thriller that saw Michigan get the game winner in double overtime for a 2-1 victory over their rivals. The win also got Michigan a share of the Big Ten regular season championship and 2 straight years of being Big Ten champs. Absolute lock to make the national tournament. This squad isn't quite as good as last year's, but they can hang with anyone and are legit threats to return to the Final Four.
