The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 — 11
Michigan shows improved
chemistry in draw to Colorado
LYS GOLDMAN
Daily Sports Writer
After losing numerous key con-
tributors in the offseason, the
Michigan women’s soccer team
faced struggles in replicating last
year’s dominance throughout its
early-season matchups. Its two
losses came in a similar manner,
stemming from difficulties with
communication, connection and
finishing.
Heading into Thursday’s match-
up against No. 19 Colorado, the
unranked Wolverines looked to
improve in all areas. They weren’t
perfect, but they certainly showed
growth and potential — specifically
in communication and connection.
Michigan (4-2-1 overall) played
to a 1-1 draw against the Buffaloes
(5-0-2) in a balanced, aggressive
match characterized by the Wolver-
ines’ strong team chemistry.
“I think our biggest strength
today was just playing as a team,”
senior forward Dani Wolfe said.
“This is a new team, we lost a lot of
people last year and we have a lot up
and coming, and I think this is one
of the first games that we’ve put it
together as a team.”
From
the
opening
whistle,
Michigan looked dynamic and con-
nected. An early string of passes led
to a corner kick in the third minute,
the first of five total corners for the
Wolverines. A through ball in the
10th minute led to another chance
in the box, and a one-two play in the
25th minute – one of many through-
out the game – facilitated the second
shot of the night for senior forward
Lily Farkas.
Colorado matched Michigan’s
opening energy, generating back-
and-forth action in the first 25 min-
utes. But with her third shot of the
game in the 26th minute, Farkas
broke the ice and put the Wolver-
ines on the board. She used a quick
scissors move to beat a defender on
the left flank and shot across the
goalkeeper, netting the ball in the
bottom right corner of the goal.
“Lily is a huge threat offensive-
ly,” Wolfe said. “She clearly scores
many goals, she’s strong in tackles …
she’s just the perfect attacking mid.”
With Farkas at the helm, the
Michigan offense finished the game
with 16 shots, seven of which were
on target. The Buffaloes ended with
15 shots, three of which were on
goal.
A major chance for the Wolver-
ines to extend their lead came in the
59th minute, when junior forward
Sammi Woods delivered a ball to
Wolfe at the top of the 6-yard box.
Wolfe failed to capitalize though, as
her shot went just wide of the right
post.
Despite being unable to finish,
the chance illustrated Michigan’s
improved team connection; it was
sparked by through balls and one-
two passes.
“Non-conference is the time for
building chemistry and building
connection on and off the field,”
Michigan coach Jen Klein said.
“(It’s the time for) learning each
other’s tendencies and really get-
ting into that good possession zone.
I thought tonight we did quite well
with it.”
The Wolverines’ team chem-
istry showed on defense as well.
Michigan’s defensive game plan
centered
around
eliminating
options in order to make Colo-
rado’s plays more predictable. By
consistently tracking back and
defending together as a whole
team, the Wolverines accom-
plished that objective.
The equalizer came in the 77th
minute when a collision between
fifth-year goalkeeper Izzy Nino
and an opposing player allowed
the Buffaloes a penalty kick,
which forward Civana Kuhlmann
converted into a score.
Michigan had a few chances
to take the lead in the final 13
minutes, the closest of which
occurred with five minutes left on
the clock. Junior defender Sarah
Bridenstine crossed the ball to
Woods in front of the goal, but
Woods’ header soared just wide
of the net.
“It’s unfortunate to give away a
PK,” Klein said. “But I thought …
our ability to generate opportuni-
ties to give ourselves a chance was
a great response by our girls.”
The Wolverines walked off the
field on Thursday with a twinge
of disappointment, but it was cou-
pled with a recognition of their
improved team chemistry.
As Klein acknowledged, non-
conference is the time for that
connection to progress.
But as the Wolverines head into
their final game before Big Ten
play, the time to finish developing
that chemistry is running out.
Sports
WOMEN’S SOCCER
SportsMonday: Don’t rewrite Cade McNamara’s story
NICK STOLL
Managing Sports Editor
The Michigan football team’s
quarterback competition has run
its course, with sophomore J.J.
McCarthy coming out the other
side victorious. The decision was
plain as day for Michigan coach
Jim Harbaugh, and the Wolverine
faithful have patently anointed
McCarthy Ann Arbor’s messiah.
Every time McCarthy stepped
on the field Saturday night,
cheers rang out in Michigan Sta-
dium, beckoning the former five-
star to dazzle with his legs or
unleash his arm strength.
There was no such welcome for
Cade McNamara.
When it was the senior quar-
terback’s turn to assume position
under center, taking his right-
ful opportunity to prove himself
— just as McCarthy did in Game
One — the Big House sounded
empty. That is, of course, until
McNamara faltered. After taking
a sack on third down of his first
drive, boos rained down from the
crowd.
It came from the same people
that shouted in jubilation, storm-
ing the field by his side, when
McNamara led the Wolverines
to a win over Ohio State last
November — the first in a decade.
The same people who serenaded
McNamara’s leadership and poise
as he led Michigan to its first out-
right Big Ten Championship since
2003. The same people who cele-
brated as the Wolverines claimed
their first-ever College Football
Playoff berth with McNamara
under center.
This is not the time to turn on
McNamara, and it’s certainly no
time to forget what he’s done for
Michigan.
First, let’s remember where
McNamara’s story began. It was
under the lights in Piscataway
two years ago, playing a lowly 1-3
Rutgers team. It should’ve been a
walk in the park game, in and out
with a win. Instead, the Wolver-
ines found themselves in a 17-0
hole with then-starting quarter-
back Joe Milton floundering.
Enter McNamara.
McNamara immediately made
an impact, hand-delivering a
46-yard touchdown to then-
sophomore receiver Cornelius
Johnson. It was the beginning of
Michigan’s third-largest come-
back in program history, and
McNamara was the orchestrator.
Whether a meme or a rally
call, McNamara’s words after the
game echoed through the Wol-
verines’ fanbase:
“What if we win out, huh?”
It feels like the moment that
best epitomizes Cade McNamara
— doubted, scrappy, but always a
leader. Always positive.
“I feel like ever since I met
Cade, he’s been a leader,” senior
defensive back Mike Sainristil
said during fall camp. “In 2020,
when he got the opportunity
to help turn the Rutgers game
around … I feel like from that
point on guys just view Cade very
differently.
“This is our quarterback.”
McNamara was the man inside
the locker room that brought peo-
ple together, that rallied them to
wins over rivals and to champi-
onship trophies. For a season, he
was the guy.
Lest we forget the woes
McCarthy faced last season. The
then-freshman quarterback was
prone to errant throws, poor deci-
sions and game-changing gaffes.
It was McCarthy that faced the
divisiveness of the Michigan fan-
base last season, being lambasted
over his fumble and other near-
turnover against Michigan State,
essentially blamed for the loss.
It was a game where the expe-
rience and readiness of the two
quarterbacks begged no ques-
tions, McNamara throwing for
383 yards and two touchdowns,
his lone interception plucked
right out of the hands of tight
end Luke Schoonmaker. He was a
positive in a game that caused the
Wolverine faithful great distress,
and McCarthy was the unready,
mistake-prone
freshman
that
cost them the game.
Nobody had a problem with
McNamara then.
He was exactly what Michigan
needed last year. He was reliable,
safe, smart. He made the right
decisions, and most importantly
— he won football games.
Heading into this season, he
deserved every chance to keep
his job. And as far as everything
out of camp — from Harbaugh,
players, McNamara himself —
he was making a legitimate case
in practice to remain the starter,
even being named one of the
team’s five captains.
“I feel like the level of play I’m
playing at is very high right now
in terms of where I’ve been in my
career,” McNamara said during
fall camp. “I have gotten much
better than I was this time last
year or even at the end of the sea-
son last year. And I’ve recognized
FILE PHOTO/Daily
that and obviously, my team-
mates have as well.”
And fans of the Wolverines
should be happy about that. One
injury-inducing play could make
McNamara QB1 once again, espe-
cially considering McCarthy’s
propensity to draw contact while
creating plays with his legs.
It’s without an ounce of doubt
that McCarthy is the best quar-
terback after two games, and he’s
the right quarterback for Michi-
gan right now. But that wasn’t
the case last season — that was
McNamara.
So feel free to cheer on McCar-
thy, place the crown upon his
head and hope he takes the Wol-
verines to the promised land.
But don’t bash McNamara — and
certainly don’t boo him. He was
exactly what Michigan needed
last season. And at one point, he
was what you all wanted.
McNamara is the quarterback
that took the Wolverines from
the worst season they’ve had in
years to championship banners,
playoff appearances and the ever-
so-coveted win over the Buck-
eyes. His significance to today’s
Michigan football program is
unmeasured.
So as McCarthy’s reign as QB1
officially begins, remember that
— and don’t rewrite the narrative.
Stoll can be reached at nkstoll@
umich.edu or on Twitter @nkstoll.
In spite of the recent QB competition, Cade McNamara has cemented himself in
Michigan football history.
Corner qualms prove fatal in
2-1 loss at Louisville
LIZA CUSHNIR
Daily Sports Writer
Down by one goal with just over
four minutes left to play, the No. 4
Michigan field hockey team pulled
sophomore
goalkeeper
Caylie
McMahon to bring an extra attack-
er onto the field.
The Wolverines drew three pen-
alty corners and fired off multiple
shots in the ensuing three-minute
period but were unable to capitalize,
as Michigan (3-2 overall) fell to No
5. Louisville (6-0), 2-1.
From the start, it was appar-
ent that both teams were evenly
matched. Entering halftime score-
less, the Wolverines had outshot the
Cardinals 3-2, but they were out-
cornered, 2-0. This pattern contin-
ued into the second half, as corners
ultimately proved to be Michigan’s
downfall.
“We got tons of opportunities
at the last minute of the game,”
Michigan coach Marcia Pankratz
said. “And we have to capitalize and
actually execute under pressure on
those corners and score. And we
failed to do that.”
The Wolverines struck first with
a goal from fifth-year forward Katie
Anderson with two minutes left
in the third quarter. But Louisville
wasted no time, answering with a
goal off a penalty corner deflection
within a minute.
As the game remained tied for
the first 10 minutes of the fourth
quarter, it grew more physical. The
teams traded green cards, but nei-
ther could capitalize when they
were up a player.
With four-and-a-half minutes
left, the Cardinals were awarded
two penalty corners, bringing their
total up to seven on the game. On
the second, a rifling shot found the
back of the cage for what ultimate-
ly ended up being the difference
maker.
“You gotta execute a corner
defense,” Pankratz said. “So we
have to work on that this week.”
By contrast, Michigan only had
four penalty corners — three of
which came in the last two minutes
of the game. And on each one, the
Wolverines failed to convert.
On the first of the final three cor-
ners, a Louisville defender stepped
over the line too quickly, which led
to the Cardinals losing a defensive
player during the insertion. Even
with that advantage, Michigan
couldn’t score in what was its
most favorable chance of the
quarter.
Despite outshooting Louisville
11-6, the Wolverines couldn’t take
advantage of their opportunities
when it mattered.
Heading into conference play,
it’s clear what Michigan needs
to work on moving forward. The
team struggled with corners in
their previous game, too. But if the
Wolverines can generate — and
capitalize on — more penalty cor-
ners and prevent their opponents
from getting as many good looks,
the team will be in good hands.
If not, Michigan is in for a dif-
ficult season.
FIELD HOCKEY
SELENA SUN/Daily
The difference in penalty corners proved critical in the No. 4 Michigan field hockey
team’s loss to fifth-ranked Louisville.
Josh Taubman: J.J. McCarthy is the only option, and Jim Harbaugh knew it
Two
weeks
ago,
Michigan
coach Jim Har-
baugh
chose
to prolong the
much-debated
quarterback com-
petition between
sophomore
J.J.
McCarthy
and
senior
Cade
McNamara. Nei-
ther player had separated them-
selves through fall camp, and
Harbaugh — always infatuated
with competition — wanted to see it
play out on the field.
Up until Saturday’s press con-
ference following Michigan’s win
over Hawaii, Harbaugh remained
adamant that he had yet to name a
starter. He was careful not to praise
one player without complement-
ing the other; He mused about his
biblical approach and reminded
reporters that no one knew what
the future held.
This time, though, Harbaugh
didn’t have lengthy tribulations to
help him dodge questions about
naming a starter. It took him less
than 30 seconds to prove his mind
was made up.
“We’ll start J.J. next week,” Har-
baugh said. “He’s earned that by
performance, by merit.”
McCarthy carved up the Rain-
bow Warriors’ defense and left zero
doubt that he should be the starting
quarterback moving forward. He
twirled in crisp passes, effortlessly
moving the offense down the field
for easy scores. It was a thrilling
encore to the mobility he displayed
against Colorado State, proving his
arm is just as much a threat as his
legs.
Harbaugh made it clear he had
two worthy candidates to be QB1
and the best player was going to
win the job. In response, McCar-
thy handed in a damn near flaw-
less resume, proving the hype
surrounding him since he commit-
ted in 2019 was warranted.
Now it’s true, the teams that
Michigan has faced so far haven’t
been the strongest opposition.
Frankly, they may be some of
the worst teams in the FBS. But
McCarthy looked exactly how a
highly touted, former five-star
prospect should look against an
overmatched opponent. McNa-
mara, on the other hand, simply did
not.
McCarthy
produced
touch-
downs on five of his first six drives
without a hitch. Then McNamara,
facing the same defense with the
same resources at his disposal,
floundered. His first drive ended in
a sack and as he jogged off the field,
boos rained down from the student
section — the same section that
flooded the field in jubilation when
he led the Wolverines over Ohio
State just last November.
But that’s the bitter pill Har-
baugh finally had to swallow on
Saturday. The Wolverines know
what their ceiling is with McNama-
ra — and it’s a pretty high ceiling,
one that can win a Big Ten Cham-
pionship. But with McCarthy they
can shatter right through it.
It’s a situation Harbaugh is actu-
ally familiar with. In 2012, when he
was head coach of the San Francis-
co 49ers, his team started 6-2 with
Alex Smith at quarterback, who had
led them to the NFC championship
the year prior. But in Week 10, Har-
baugh gave the start to his upstart
second year QB Colin Kaepernick,
who possessed a dual threat ability
that Smith just lacked.
Kaepernick got the chance to
showcase himself in prime time
in a Monday Night Football show-
down against the Chicago Bears
and thrived — throwing for 243
yards and two touchdowns. For
Harbaugh, there was a little deja vu
under the lights against Hawaii.
“It’s very similar,” Harbaugh
said. “A lot like that Monday night
game that Colin played against
the Bears, that looked a lot like
what J.J. was able to do out there
tonight.”
When Harbaugh did pivot to
Kaepernick, he never looked back
and the 49ers made a run all the
way to the Super Bowl — still the
closest Harbaugh has come to win-
ning a championship.
And a national championship is
what Harbaugh craves more than
anything.
It’s why he flirted with NFL
openings, hoping to have another
chance to pursue his dream of final-
ly hoisting a Lombardi. It’s why,
when he ended up remaining at
the helm in Ann Arbor, he declared
winning a national championship
would suffice just as much.
Harbaugh has now had a taste
of the College Football Playoff, and
a quick assessment of the current
college football landscape shows
that his team this year has a pretty
good shot to get back.
But Harbaugh doesn’t just want
an invite anymore. And he knows
with an elite quarterback, reach-
ing the pinnacle of college football
can be more than just a far-fetched
talking point.
Harbaugh waited as long as he
could. But after McCarthy’s elec-
trifying performance on Saturday,
there were no more cliches left to
say about the quarterback competi-
tion.
Moving forward, there’s only
one option, and it’s McCarthy.
FOOTBALL
JOSH
TAUBMAN
TESS CROWLEY/Daily