This is e a thread for all things BIG 10 -- teams, players, coaches, rivalries and trivia. Opening up: The Gatorade National Player of the Year is Umar Farouk Osman, who will be a freshman Michigan Wolverine this Fall. https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/hig...ail&utm_term=0_8340315a79-7074d194c1-31367289 Welcome Umar, and Go Blue!
I'm curious to know what happened during spring soccer. I've found no coverage of Michigan. I must be missing something. Any good links or news would be appreciated.
It's always been an unwritten Spring rule that you don't report match scores. Now some obviously do it. But I would guess most don't? Anyway the word usually gets out.
As Newsports noted, most schools don't release info regarding Spring ball. We lost 2-0 to MSU but I have no other scores. My take on 2016 is that so many double OT losses were not easy to overcome. The two double OT games to start the season in Florida (USF and FGCU) and the two double OT losses to Maryland stood out, but they were hardly isolated: overall, the team played nine double overtime games and went 0-5-4, including 0-5-1 in BIG games. In 2017, the Wolverines have to avoid so many overtime periods, and that means scoring! Atuahene, Mertz, Cerda and Callahan are returning attacking starters, so if one or two of the other returners step up offensively or one or two of the new recruits can score/assist, we should be a lot better. I think the loss of four attackers to graduation all at once (McAtee, Murphy, Mellors-Blair and VanSlooten) hurt the offense last year. If everyone stays healthy this year, I expect a strong attacking Wolverine team. Go Blue!
BIG 10 recruiting for 2017 looks strong. College Soccer News ranks four BIG schools in the top 15: Indiana, #4 Ohio State, #7 Michigan, #9 Maryland, #12 Also, USLPDL just ranked Michigan's Francis Atuahene as its #1 pro prospect. Go Blue!
B1G soccer tourney again in Indy ... http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/081117aaa.html
Season preview for Michigan 2017: http://www.mgoblue.com/news/2017/8/14/season-preview-2017-michigan-mens-soccer.aspx?path=msoc Some young guys may need to get up to speed quickly. If they do, the Wolverines should be a lot deeper on the attacking side of the ball than last year. It will be interesting to see if Chaka goes with a 4-3-3 again, or a 4-4-2, or both depending upon the line-up. I like Stevens, Mertz and Cerda as Captains; all three are hard working and selfless. Verdi and Mattia appear to be in a good contest for starting GK; I think we may see both early on (no inside info, just a semi- educated guess). Good luck to all the BIG teams. Let's get the season started, and Go Blue!
I was pleased to see Michigan start their season with a win, 1-0, over William and Mary. It appears that some of the new guys can play. What's the story behind the zero minutes from Atuahene and Cerda?
Cerda and Atuahene were held out due to what I believe are minor injuries (both warmed up). So far the freshmen look good! Go Blue!
Not that losing at Wake is anything to be ashamed of, but it would be real nice for the whole league if Rutgers wasn't a complete tire fire his season.
Maryland 0-0 Indiana 2OT That was some kind of match! A great exhibition of college soccer! I would have liked a goal, just like everyone else, but there was real talent, tactics, and courage displayed. I salute both sides. I would give the edge to Hoosiers for creating more danger.
Michigan 1 - Indiana 1, @ Indiana. It looked pretty even to me. Both teams created chances, made mistakes, and scored goals. Stats are even and that's how I saw it. Two good teams that should get better as the season progresses. Michigan definitely picked up some talented new players. I look forward to the rest of the season. Hopefully Atuahene gets healthy soon. Go Blue!
Michigan hosts Michigan State on BTN at noon ET. Wish I was in Ann Arbor today. I assume that Atuahene is out for Michigan, but the rest of the Wolverines have looked pretty good this year. Should be a good match with two undefeated rivals facing off. Go Blue!
Top of the Big Ten is really good this year. MSU, Michigan, IU, Maryland and Ohio State all in the top 25 of the RPI. Gonna be a grind for these teams and the BT Tournament is gonna be fun.
Despite injuries in their back line, and a straight red for Atuahene with an hour top play, Michigan beat Northwestern 3-1, in Ann Arbor. I guess all the injuries and red cards will help to develop their depth, but I'd like to see Michigan polish their first choice guys. They have a lot of potential, but it seems they're always playing with guys out hurt or suspended. After seeing two straight reds in three matches, maybe they need to find a new referee pool.
After being a bit down last year, the BIG has started 2017 strong. Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Wisconsin and (God help us) Ohio State and Michigan State are all off to good starts. It should be a close race to the last weekend, and I wouldn't be surprised if six teams make it to the NCAA tourney. As Real Mobile noted, Michigan has suffered from a flurry of injuries and a couple of red cards. Assuming everyone gets healthy and stays eligible, the Wolverines are deep and could make a decent run if they peak at the right time. Go Blue!
Well... apparently I hexed the Wolverines with my earlier post. Final: Oakland 2, Michigan 1 For the good of the team, I'll refrain from further posting till the BIG tourney. Good luck to everyone and Go Blue!
Wolverines seem to be getting healthier. I hope they're ready for ND. How can I watch the UM-ND game? It looks like there's a stream, but is that available on espn or what?
Yes, just click on the link and it will ask you to provide your sign in info for your cable/internet provider. After giving that info, you can watch for free (ACC Network if I recall correctly).
Sounds good to me. I was afraid I might need a paid subscription to the ACC network. Thanks. Go Blue!
I was at the OSU v. Maryland game. Game was not as close as scoreline indicated. Maryland missed two penalties! OSU didn't have any shots in the first half.