Notre Dame 2 - Michigan 0

Facing two undefeated opponents over the weekend, the Michigan women's soccer team (4-2-2) knew it would be fighting especially hard for victories. Two competitive games later, the Wolverines revealed they were up for the challenge, losing a close 2-0 game to Notre Dame yesterday after beating Loyola Marymount 1-0 on Friday.

Yesterday, Michigan played host to top-ranked Notre Dame (7-0), who came into Ann Arbor boasting a plus-24 goal differential through its first seven games. Two second-half goals by the Irish proved the difference in a physical and bruising game.

From the start, Michigan looked like it could compete with the visitors, registering two shots within the first 10 minutes.

But Notre Dame quickly responded, as an attacker streaked through the middle toward the net in the ninth minute. Michigan senior goalkeeper Megan Tuura dove forward and forced the shot just wide of the right post, making contact with the Irish player. The collision put Tuura in discomfort, and sophomore backup Madison Gates replaced her in the 21st minute.

"It can be pretty hard, but after you have your first touch of the game, then you are pretty much set," Gates said about coming in cold. "You are nervous at first, but after a save or a good goal kick, I feel comfortable and ready to go."

The big and tough Irish were extremely physical, committing 11 fouls in the first half. But Michigan responded with a gritty performance of its own.

"We were winning just as many air-balls as they were, and we competed with them completely," redshirt junior defender Emily Kalmbach said.

The first half ended scoreless, but Notre Dame finally solved Gates 11 minutes into the second half. Freshman Michele Weissenhofer connected on a perfect shot from the left edge of the penalty box and beat Gates high on the far side.

Michigan responded extremely well, generating its most intense pressure of the game following the goal. Its best chance of the game occurred in the 78th minute, when senior striker Judy Coffman was sprung for a breakaway down the middle on a pretty pass from midfielder junior Jamie Artsis. She tried to beat Irish goalkeeper Lauren Karas to the right side, but Karas blocked the shot with her legs.

"Being down one goal, we didn't put our heads down," Michigan coach Debbie Rademacher said. "(That opportunity) could've really changed the complexion of the game."

Coffman, who led the Wolverines' attack with three shots on goal, raised her arms to the sky in disbelief.

Like all great teams, Notre Dame took advantage of its good fortune and iced the game with a gorgeous goal in the 84th minute. Amanda Cinalli received a cross from the right side at the top of the penalty box and slipped free to lift a shot above Gates right below the crossbar.

The other half of the weekend ended with a much better result for the Wolverines. Hosting Loyola Marymount on Friday night, Michigan handed the Lions their first loss of the season. The only score of the game came from junior Katie Bohard who notched her first collegiate goal.

Junior striker Melissa Dobbyn dominated possession throughout the game for Michigan, with her nifty ballhandling moves confusing Lions' defenders. Toward the end of the first half, she sent a low cross from the right side that went through a crowded area on the near side of the penalty box. Bohard was positioned near the far post and tapped the ball into an empty net at 39:19.

"I was at the right place at the right time - it was almost too good to be true," Bohard said. "I just told myself not to mess this up."

She had great timing, especially considering she had been substituted into the game 30 seconds before the tally.

"It's a really good thing to know that we can count on different players to contribute coming off the bench," Rademacher said.

A stifling team defense prevented Loyola Marymount (3-1-2) from ever mounting any serious chances, and Tuura finished with her fifth shutout in seven games. She had to make just one save to earn the victory.

Playing such tough nonconference competition is further preparing the Wolverines for a grueling Big Ten schedule that begins Sunday at Penn State.

"We learn from these nonconference opponents and learn from our mistakes," Rademacher said. "We also learn how we can improve each week."

Next, Michigan hosts Oakland Thursday night.