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

