Michigan
5-1-2, 1-0-0
Minnesota
4-2-2, 0-1-0
Lang’s Goal Sends U-M Past Minnesota to Open B1G Play
9/15/2023 10:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
» Sophomore Jenna Lang scored the lone goal of the match -- running U-M's unbeaten streak to seven matches and winning streak to five.
» Stephanie Sparkowski recorded another clean sheet with five saves, including a penalty kick save.
» Prior to the match, U-M honored its four-member senior class of Sammi Woods, Kacey Lawrence, Sarah Bridenstine and Stephanie Sparkowski.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 19-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team defeated the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 1-0, on Friday (Sept. 15) at U-M Soccer Stadium in the Big Ten Conference opener for both sides.
Michigan (5-1-2, 1-0 B1G) had an early scoring opportunity in the second minute of the match as sophomore Jenna Lang's shot sailed over the crossbar. Less than a minute later, Minnesota (4-2-2, 0-1 B1G) also saw its first shot of the match go high over the goal.
U-M took the lead in the 34th minute as Lang found the bottom right corner of the net. The scoring play started with a sophomore Taylor Brennan throw-in that found senior Sammi Woods, who headed the ball onward. Lang received the ball and weaved through Minnesota defenders in the box, creating just enough space to take the opportunity to score her first goal of the season.
Minnesota's chances continued as two shots went high over the goal in the 37th and 42nd minute.
Another Golden Gopher opportunity came on the counterattack in the 47th minute, but senior goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski made the save on the near post.
In the 69th minute, a Michigan foul in the box gave the Gophers a penalty kick. Minnesota's Sophia Boman took the kick, but her effort was kept out by a diving save from Sparkowski to her right.
Michigan had two chances in the final 10 minutes on the counterattack -- in the 81st minute as a shot from Kali Burrell was blocked by a Minnesota defender and Woods had an attempt on goal in the 84th minute.
The Wolverine defense held strong in the second half, with the Golden Gophers earning 11 corner kicks.
Lang had a match-high four shots on the night, while Sparkowski's five saves gave her the fifth clean sheet of the season. U-M has surrendered only five goals in seven matches.
The win also marks U-M's fifth in a row and extends its unbeaten streak to seven matches. U-M is 3-0 at home on the year and head coach Jennifer Klein moves to 3-2-1 in Big Ten home openers.
Michigan will hit the road for a pair of B1G tilts, first traveling to Northwestern for a Thursday (Sept. 21) showdown against the Wildcats. Match time is slated for 7 p.m. CT at Martin Field in Evanston, Ill.
Tweet of the Match
34' | ????????
— Michigan Women's Soccer (@umichwsoccer) September 15, 2023
Jenna Lang cashes in!
Throw in from Brennan flicked on by Woods, lower left finish. Her first of the season.
1:0
#GoBlue?? | #OurWay pic.twitter.com/JfZivSJo9k
Team Stats
Jenna Lang (1)
Assisted By: Taylor Brennan , Sammi Woods
GOAL by MICH Lang, Jenna Assist by Brennan, Taylor and Woods, Sammi.
33:34
