Calm, cool and collected.
Those three words typified Jackson Ragen’s play Friday night against Cornell. Thanks in large part to the junior centerback’s goal and defensive performance, the Michigan men’s soccer team (2-1) dominated the Big Red 3-0, earning their second victory in a row.
With just under four minutes remaining and the Wolverines probing for a go-ahead goal, the ball was played back to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville goalkeeper Noah Heim. What was supposed to be a routine clearance turned into anything but as Michigan sophomore Derick Broche came flying in to block his kick. The ball ricocheted off Broche and into the path of fellow Wolverine Nebojsa Popovic. With Heim chasing back towards goal and the Cougar defenders out of position, Popovic coolly finished off the unexpected opportunity to restore Michigan’s one-goal advantage.
The header was the first of three goals from Medilah, as Michigan (0-1) fell 4-3 to the Eagles (1-0). For the Wolverines, the match was defined by poor defense and an inability to convert on offense.
The Michigan men’s soccer team had just 12 days to prepare for its season opener. So coach Chaka Daley tried to engineer as many challenges as possible.
The pregame festivities ahead of Saturday’s friendly between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli were vastly different than most tailgates at Michigan Stadium.
Starting with a lede about the weather is just as cringe-worthy in the journalistic world as it is during small talk. However, this game necessitated an exception to the rule.
Crowded into the north end of the stadium, the crowd lived on every kick of the ball. One mistake and the season would be over.
In the 72nd minute of the men’s soccer Big Ten Tournament Championship match, Indiana’s Griffin Dorsey sent a ball for service across the box, finding the head of the diving Hoosier midfielder Jeremiah Gutjahr, who converted for the goal.
The Michigan men’s soccer team (4-2-2 Big Ten, 11-4-2 overall) secured a signature 3-1 win over Penn State (3-3-2, 6-9-2) Sunday afternoon at home. The Wolverines dealt with several injuries to key players, including senior center back Daniel Mukuna, senior midfielder Ivo Cerda and sophomore forward Mohammed Zakyi. Zakyi played through a hamstring injury while the other two didn’t dress.
