Michigan
0-1-0, 0-0-0
Utah Valley
1-0-0, 0-0-0
Wolverines Drop Heartbreaker to Utah Valley in Season Opener
8/15/2024 9:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team tied the game at 1-1 with 1:30 to play, but Utah Valley regained the lead with just 21 seconds remaining as U-M dropped its season opener 2-1 on Thursday evening (Aug. 27) at U-M Soccer Stadium.
Trailing for the majority of the second half, Michigan (0-1-0) pulled level at 1-1 with just 1:30 to play when Avery Kalitta attacked down the right side of the field and served a ball into the box. She connected with Jenna Lang, whose header evaded the goalie to tie the game.
Utah Valley countered, dispossessing Michigan at the center line and sending the ball toward the Michigan goal. UVU's Faith Webber won possession from the Michigan defender and made good on the game-winning goal with 21 seconds left.
Michigan tallied 11 shots in the contest compared to 20 for Utah Valley. Stephanie Sparkowski totaled six saves in goal, highlighted by four in the first half as the Maize and Blue kept Utah Valley off the board in the first 45 minutes.
Neither team could break through in the first half, as Michigan withstood several chances from Utah Valley in the early stages.
U-M pressured early in the second half, getting a good chance in the 50th minute when Lang's shot went wide.
Utah Valley was the first to break through, taking advantage on the counter-attack following a Michigan offside. UVU found the back of the net in the 64th minute, taking the 1-0 lead.
UVU nearly pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 73rd minute, but the shot hit off the right post to keep Michigan in the game.
The Maize and Blue had a corner kick in the 77th minute, immediately followed by a free kick from right outside the 18 but could not convert on either as Utah Valley maintained a 1-0 lead.
The Wolverines got off two shots in quick succession with just under 10 minutes remaining but could not pull even until Lang's heroics in the final two minutes of the game.
Michigan kicks off a two-game road swing next time out, heading to Cincinnati to face Xavier on Sunday (Aug. 18) at 5 p.m. the game will be streamed live on FloSports.
Team Stats
Faith Webber (2)
Assisted By: Nixan Jackson , Ruby Hladek
GOAL by UVU Webber, Faith Assist by Jackson, Nixan and Hladek, Ruby.
64:05
Jenna Lang (1)
Assisted By: Avery Kalitta
GOAL by U-M Lang, Jenna Assist by Kalitta, Avery.
88:49
Faith Webber (2)
Assisted By: Kate Shirts
GOAL by UVU Webber, Faith Assist by Shirts, Kate.
89:30
