Michigan explodes in second half for a 2-2 draw against Iowa State

The Michigan women’s soccer team was determined to end its five game losing streak on Thursday at Iowa State.

After the Wolverines’ (0-5-1) unproductive performance in the first half against the Cyclones (2-2-2), that determination awoke as Michigan’s offense ignited after halftime for a 2-2 draw.

“We’ve been working as a team to stay very positive and see the small victories in terms of the improvements that we’re making,” Wolverines coach Jen Klein said. “Because if we were able to execute that stuff, we would find success.”

However, Michigan didn’t find that success in the first half.

The Wolverines’ offense did threaten early, though, at 09:47 with a shot by junior forward Kali Burrell and then again at 17:07 with a shot by sophomore midfielder Lilley Bosley. But while both shots were on goal, neither found the back of the net. Michigan’s potential chances to score first quickly faded, as fouls snatched away its offensive opportunities and turned the tides towards to Iowa State.

The Cyclones nearly capitalized on the Wolverines’ foul trouble in the 35th minute with an on-goal shot to the top of the net, but Michigan graduate goalie Stephanie Sparkowski made the save. Three minutes later, though, Iowa State made the Wolverines pay. This time, the Cyclones’ shot landed in the back of the net putting Michigan down 1-0 going into halftime.

It didn’t take long for an opportunity to come knocking on the door for the Wolverines. In the 53rd minute, they got on the scoreboard with a goal from junior midfielder Jenna Lang. Michigan’s offense, motivated by Lang’s goal, seemed to find its footing as it continued to put shots on goal. While none of the shots broke the tie, the offensive surge signified that the Wolverines’ first-half troubles were nothing more than a distant memory.

“Coming out of halftime and starting in the second half, kind of recognizing how Iowa State was playing and we decided to be a bit more aggressive within our press,” Klein said. “And I think that it allowed for us to generate some more opportunity.”

But Michigan’s momentum couldn’t last forever. In the 74th minute, Iowa State forward Morgan Furmaniak fired the ball into the net, giving the Cyclones a 2-1 lead and putting the pressure back on the Wolverines. They continued to fire shots, but couldn’t convert.

“We generated a lot of really good looks,” Klein said. “We just now have to be a bit more clinical when we get into those spaces. We just need to be a little bit more calm in putting the ball in the back of the net.”

Michigan, shaking off the pressure, broke through with its second goal of the game this time from junior midfielder Abby Zugay. But the Wolverines’ offense wasn’t done pushing as it looked to erase the tie and get its first win of the season. In the 87th minute, Zugay fired a shot that would have put Michigan in the lead, but the ball missed the target and ended the game in a 2-2 draw.

The game isn’t over until both halves are played. And on Thursday, the Wolverines proved that as they surged in the second half to erase their first-half deficit and force the draw.

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