Redshirt junior Alex Jendrusch heard the announcer counting down the last seconds of the game.

“Eight, seven, six …” she recalled, describing the moment she scored her first career goal in the Wolverines’ 4-1 win over Eastern Michigan Sunday.

Jendrusch said she just let the ball go off her left foot and it landed in the back of the net with two seconds left on the clock. It was just an insurance goal, but it has become a source os inspiration for the Wolverines.

A walk-on when she first came to Michigan three years ago, Jendrusch received playing time in just 10 games during the last two seasons. This year, she has emerged as a veteran leader and team-elected captain for the Wolverines.

The midfielder made her first career start Aug. 30 at Marquette, and she has played in all six of Michigan’s games so far this season. Her presence is important on a very young team – the Wolverines have 15 underclassmen on their roster.

Senior defender Kylie Neschke, a fellow quad-captain, praised her teammate for her work ethic and the example she is setting for the younger players on the team.

“She just worked her butt off like every day at everything she did,” Neschke said. “I think it’s a real good example for the team to see that it doesn’t matter if you come in on scholarship or if you’re just a walk-on. If you work hard enough, you’re going to get the respect that you deserve. She’s an awesome example for people to keep working.”

Kristin Thomas, current director of operations for Michigan women’s soccer, also had to work her way up in the hierarchy of college athletics. Thomas, a teammate of Jendrusch’s for three seasons, was also a walk-on for the Wolverines and graduated in 2009. Thomas appreciates what the Troy, Mich. native brings to the team.

“She has always worked so hard,” Thomas said. “She’s one of the fittest girls on the team every single year. Her touch has gotten extremely good. Her vision on the field is great. But she’s also has just brought that intangible aspect to the team, too. She’s always encouraging people. She’s just amazing, a great teammate and player.”

Michigan coach Greg Ryan said that Jendrusch is good at maintaining ball control and at moving after passing the ball, among other strengths.

“Alex has been one of the best human beings we’ve ever had on this team,” Ryan said. “She supports her teammates whether she plays or she doesn’t play. I think she’s been steadily improving as we’ve been working with her, and from the first spring to now, she has made tremendous progress. And I think it culminated in a real nice goal for her on the weekend.”