The jump from high school to college soccer is supposed to take time for freshmen. The college game is much more physical than anything they experience on their school and club teams during high school, and the move usually results in a slow start.
- Paul Wong
- Freshman midfielder Theresa Dwyer has been a major contributor for Michigan.<br><br>TOM FELDKAMP/Daily
But Theresa Dwyer, Kate Morgan and Liz Dosa have already made a big splash for the Michigan women”s soccer team nine games into the season as evidenced by Michigan”s 2-0 victory over Northwestern last Friday.
Both of Michigan”s goals came from a pair of freshman roommates. Dwyer scored her first career goal for Michigan while Morgan scored her third. The Morgan”s goal put her second on the team in goals behind Amy Sullivant.
“She”s really good and composed,” Michigan coach Debbie Rademacher said about Morgan. Rademacher noted that Morgan does especially well in the goalie box as evidenced by her knack for scoring.
Dwyer”s first goal of the season wasn”t the beginning of her contributions to the team. She has appeared in all but two of the Wolverines” games this season and has earned the praise of coaches and players.
“She lays off some good balls for her teammates,” assistant coach Scott Forrester said. “She”s a playmaker,” Morgan added. “She creates and she has really good field vision.”
She added that Dwyer is also good at taking a defender one-on-one.
Dosa hasn”t scored a goal yet but has already integrated herself into the starting lineup. What makes the transition even more difficult for Dosa is that she was switched from forward to midfielder by the coaching staff Rademacher describes Dosa as a “lightning fast” player who is especially dangerous near the sideline.
Now teammates, Morgan and Dosa knew each other growing up in California they lived only 45 minutes away from each other. The two played on rival club teams throughout high school and became rivals. They played against one another every weekend and faced each other during several club championship games.
“I”m glad she”s on my team now,” a relieved Morgan said.
Jillian Papa, Laura Tanchon and Laney Rosin have also seen playing time this year as freshmen. In her first appearance of the year, Rosin scored a goal against Dayton three weeks ago.
The new class will play an even bigger role for Michigan for the rest of the season. Rademacher and Forrester both said that those who haven”t seen much action up to this point will get their chances as the year continues.