Michigan soccer’s inability to finish leads to 1-0 loss to Rutgers

The matter of a minute can change it all.

After giving up an early goal in the second half, the Michigan women’s soccer team (2-8-1 overall, 1-3-0 Big Ten) suffered a 1-0 loss to Rutgers (8-1-1, 4-0-0) on Thursday. Although the Wolverines operated as a connected unit, they consistently came up short when it came time to get the ball in the back of the net, allowing the game to be decided by one moment.  

Starting the game hot, Michigan kept a high offensive press on the Scarlet Knights. There was an early sense of confidence in the Wolverines’ play, recording five shots in the half. Michigan may have come out swinging in the first half, but never to any success as both teams entered halftime empty handed. While the Wolverines weren’t planning on taking their foot off the gas, and Rutgers wasn’t either.

“The big thing we talked about was just believing in what we’re capable of, believing in our ability, and then believing in the power of our team,” Michigan coach Jennifer Klein said. “I think tonight, you saw what a collective performance can be when everybody’s working together.”

What started as a hopeful second half for Michigan was quickly diminished by a Scarlet Knights’ goal in the first minute of play. Rutgers forward Ashley Baran drove down the right side, cut back to the corner of the box before ripping a long shot toward the far side of the net to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. Although the Wolverines may have started with energy, this goal set the tone for the rest of the half, forcing Michigan to react and quickly adjust to its new deficit. 

“It’s something that we’ve had experience with this season, in terms of giving up goals,” Klein said. “Anytime that you play a team like Rutgers, there’s going to be a change in momentum. And I thought we handled the changes in momentum quite well.” 

Michigan’s play shifted from very confident and energetic to a conservative group — looking to merely maintain its position. In the second half the Wolverines totaled three shots and zero on frame. Much of the game consisted of the Wolverines building up from the back and utilizing all players on the field before taking an aimless shot or losing it to a Rutgers defender. When it came to putting up goals, there was a lack of urgency from the Wolverines. 

“For as much momentum as we created in the first half, we’ve got to find a way to get some production and get a goal,” Klein said. “It doesn’t need to be pretty, it just needs to be in the back of the net, and that’s the part we have to get. So I think we responded well and we fought until the very end, but I just think it’s now finding that bit of bravery to finish it out.”

The defense took much of the burden on, as their consistent, strong performance is what kept Michigan in contention for a win. Senior defender Avery Kalitta led the defensive line, coming up big in key defensive plays and demonstrating the fight wasn’t over until the final whistle. 

“Especially for the back line, when the ball gets played through, the only thing that you’re looking for is just to get the ball out,” Kalitta said. “And so I feel like that’s what we did when the ball got played behind us or in the air on the ground; we were just sprinting back, making sure that they didn’t score.”  

Kalitta’s efforts to keep communication up was a key point in the Wolverines’ efforts to remain a strong force to be reckoned with. The defense’s consistency led by the center backs created a sense of security in spite of the forwards’ performance, promoting a gritty, active group who fought hard for every ball. Yet, a win is not possible without the offense capitalizing on the opportunities the defense provides.

It can only take a minute to shift a game out of Michigan’s hands, and against Rutgers, that’s exactly what happened.

Related articles