Michigan Soccer ends west coast swing with 1-1 tie to Oregon

The Michigan women’s soccer team was eager to finish its West Coast swing with a win against Oregon on Sunday. Coming off a rough loss to Washington, the Wolverines wanted to ensure they didn’t come back from the road trip with no points.

The Ducks (5-8-2 overall, 1-5-2 Big Ten) were looking to capitalize at home against the Wolverines (2-11-2, 1-6-1). While the Wolverines allowed the Ducks to take an early one-goal lead, Michigan battled back, tying Oregon 1-1 and snapping its four-game losing streak in a back and forth affair. 

Oregon opened up the first half with heavy pressure on the Wolverines, producing 11 shots mostly off of a quick counterattack. Despite being pelted with shots, graduate goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski stood strong. However, Oregon broke through in the 25th minute with a skilled redirect from midfielder Grace Mensah to take a 1-0 lead.

However, Michigan shook off the deficit, making substitutions and quickly fighting back toward the end of the first half. In the 40th minute, the Wolverines created a corner kick that led to the game-tying goal. Senior midfielder Sierra Sargent passed the ball from the corner to junior forward Kali Burell, who tapped it back to Sargent. Sargent then delivered a stellar shot that sailed past Ducks goalkeeper Maddy Goldberg.

“We made a few changes in terms of personnel,” Michigan coach Jennifer Klein said. “And they came on and were very clean in the execution of the game plan, which helped switch the momentum and generate that goal at the end of the half.”

The second half saw both teams eager to take the lead. Oregon had an early opportunity, as forward Taylor Bryan sailed a shot over Sparkowski’s head that landed on midfielder Haley McWhirter’s foot. However, Michigan senior midfielder Avery Kallitta was positioned in the right place to clear the shot off the goalline, keeping the score at 1-1. 

The Wolverines’ defensive stand translated to offensive momentum later in the half. With just 10 minutes remaining, freshman forward Elle Ervin raced down the right flank and fired a shot from beyond the box that sailed past the outstretched arms of Goldberg but barely flew past the left post. However, after this chance, Michigan was unable to send any more commanding shots toward the goal, keeping the game tied.

“Finishing up the weekend with a point is definitely a positive,” Klein said. “We have two home games, our last two home games of the year when we get back, and we want to finish those strong”.

Finding a point on the road after a four-game losing streak was not an easy feat. Due to resisliance and a sound game plan the Wolverines were able to find some momentum amid a disappointing season.

Despite the tie, playing against Oregon marked the first time the Wolverines have played the Ducks since they joined the Big Ten. With the new competition and environment, coming out with a tie provides Michigan momentum for its final homestand.

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