Conqu'ring Heroes: Gratitude a Main Staple for Coach Klein
3/9/2021 9:25:00 AM | Women's Soccer, Features
In this week's edition of Conqu'ring Heroes, Jon Jansen catches up with women's soccer coach Jennifer Klein to discuss the first few weeks of a unique 2020-21 season, the team's upperclassmen, an early scouting report on Friday's (March 12) clash with Michigan State, and what Women's History Month means to her.
In 2019, the University of Michigan women's soccer program capped off one of the best seasons in recent history, making an appearance in the Big Ten Tournament final and earning its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2016. The Wolverines were 17-6-1 overall and 8-2-1 in Big Ten play under second-year head coach Jennifer Klein.
However, it took some time before Klein and her Wolverines had the opportunity to compete on the pitch again. The start of her third season at the helm was postponed from fall 2020 to early 2021 due to health and safety concerns related to COVID-19. Now, four games into the shortened 12-game, conference-only slate, U-M sits with a 2-1-2 record amid the ongoing challenges of a global pandemic.
"It has given us a sense of normalcy and a sense of gratitude that we've done the work throughout the fall and winter to get the point where we're able to play people other than ourselves," Klein said on this week's Conqu'ring Heroes podcast. "Getting an opportunity to play opponents that are going to make the picture look different and present different challenges is exciting."
The pandemic also presented the team's senior class a unique opportunity to work with underclassmen in their development during the fall when there was no competition -- something that Klein says will bode well now and in the years to come. "Our senior class is a very special group. Just their understanding of what our program is all about, the expectations, and the way they are able to share that with the younger players is impressive," she said. "That's how they see their legacy within the program. Things carry on and there's not going to be a beat skipped with them graduating and exiting our program."
The results under Klein speak for themselves. Michigan's 17 wins last season tied for third most in program history. The Wolverines made their 14th NCAA Tournament appearance and advanced to the third round for the first time since 2013 and fifth time in program history. As a result, expectations continue to grow for Klein and the Maize and Blue despite the current conditions.
"Going into this year, we talked a lot about: survive, advance, adapt and thrive. Our team's goals for the year are to win a Big Ten championship and to improve in the NCAA Tournament from what we did last year," Klein said. "Those goals are still out in front of us as long as we take each game, we learn from each game, and we improve from each game. I think we still put ourselves in position to reach those goals."
And while having soccer matches in March might be something new for Klein and the U-M program, playing with gratitude will constantly remain a pillar that's high on her list.
"We've always had gratitude within our own program and within the culture, but I think COVID has really brought it out of us," she said. "Sometimes you realize you don't have something until it is taken away from you. I think COVID has really put gratitude to the forefront of everything we do."
March also marks Women's History Month. And not surprisingly, Klein carries that same level of gratitude and appreciation for the vital role of women in history, including the coaches and staff who have helped build and carry on the culture, tradition and success that make the Wolverines Leaders and Best.
"What's really great about being here at Michigan is the wonderful coaches of our women's programs. From Hutch (Carol Hutchins, softball) and Jan (Dowling) with women's golf and Kim (Barnes Arico) at women's basketball, just coming here to Michigan and all of those coaches creating a network, being good mentors and colleagues has been a huge help in my time here. I can't thank them enough for being good people and being there for me when I have a question or need something."
