Stories by Alejandro Zúñiga
Early inning offense helps softball dominate Falcons
- Patrick Barron/Daily
BY ALEJANDRO ZúñIGA
As a brisk wind blew into right field, fans and coaches huddled under multiple layers of clothing when the No. 14 Michigan softball team hosted Bowling Green on Wednesday afternoon. But junior left fielder Nicole Sappingfield sparked an offense that was red hot, and the Wolverines buried the Falcons, 9-1.
Big Ten Softball Preview: Wolverines favorites to win, again
BY ALEJANDRO ZúñIGA
As the only ranked team in the Big Ten, the No. 14 Michigan softball team is a favorite to win its sixth consecutive championship. The Wolverines (21-7) look in form as the conference slate begins, having won eight of 10 games, including an upset of No. 2 Arizona State. But coach Carol Hutchins’ team will face stiff competition this spring.
Softball
Wagner, Driesenga go 2-1 in Louisville
BY ERIN LENNON
While many Michigan students polished fresh tans in the closing weekend of spring break, the No. 14 Michigan softball team (17-6) was busy at work in Louisville for the Red and Black Tournament.
Softball
Wagner returns as Wolverines sweep midweek series
BY ALEJANDRO ZúñIGA
For the first time all season, sophomore pitcher Haylie Wagner took to the circle for the Michigan softball team.
And for the first time all season, the 14th-ranked Wolverines (15-5) swept a series, beating Central Florida on Wednesday, 11-2, after crushing Boston College the day before.
Wolverines looking to iron out kinks at NFCA Classic
- Terra Molengraff/Daily
BY ALEJANDRO ZúñIGA
In the midst of an exhausting stretch that features multiple doubleheaders and thousands of travel miles every weekend, the Michigan softball team will head back down to Florida to play five games in three days at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
Young stars filling key roles for Wolverines
- Terra Molengraff/Daily
BY ALEJANDRO ZúñIGA
As one of eight sophomores on the preseason watch list for USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year, pitcher Haylie Wagner was nowhere to be found when the No. 14 Michigan softball team opened its season in Florida last weekend. Instead, sophomore Sara Driesenga took to the circle for the Wolverines (3-1), which may have found another ace for their rotation.
Women's soccer picks up seven recruits
- Ruby Wallau/Daily
BY ALEJANDRO ZUNIGA
With one of the most experienced coaching staffs in the country and a loaded recruiting class joining the program this fall, the Wolverines might experience even better results in the near future.
LA Galaxy select defender Kofi Opare in MLS SuperDraft
- Adam Glanzman/Daily
BY ALEJANDRO ZúñIGA
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer selected senior defender Kofi Opare in the second round of the MLS SuperDraft in Indianapolis.
Draft day: Opare’s journey from Ghana to the MLS
- Terra Molengraff/Daily
BY ALEJANDRO ZúñIGA
Opare is one step away from making his dream a reality. On Jan. 15, he returned from the MLS Player Combine in Florida where he showcased his talent to professional coaches and trainers. Thursday, Opare might be selected in the MLS SuperDraft. If he’s not, he’s anticipated to be picked up in the supplemental draft on Jan. 22. Burns said he “expects” Opare to be drafted.
Women’s Soccer
Standout defender Olivia Brannon transfers to Michigan
BY ALEJANDRO ZúñIGA
In 2012, the Michigan women’s soccer team shut out more than half of the teams it played. With the addition of its newest member, finding the back of the Wolverines’ net might prove even more challenging next season.
