Michigan
1-0-0, 0-0-0
Villanova
0-1-0, 0-0-0
Late Wolverine Rally Leads to Season-Opening Win at Villanova
8/14/2025 7:50:00 PM | Women's Soccer
» Michigan scored twice in the final 13 minutes to come from behind and beat Villanova on the road.
» Elle Ervin scored the game-tying goal and assisted on the game-winning score from Gabrielle Prych.
» Head coach Jennifer Klein has now triumphed in five out of her eight season-opening contests.
VILLANOVA, Pa. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team scored two unanswered goals in the final 13 minutes to defeat Villanova 2-1 on Thursday (Aug. 14) afternoon at the Higgins Soccer Complex. Sophomore Elle Ervin paved the way, burying a header in the 77th minute before assisting junior Gabrielle Prych's game-winning goal just three minutes before the final whistle blew.
U-M fell behind 1-0 in the 69th minute, when the Wildcats were awarded a penalty inside the box. Senior goalkeeper Sophie Homan rebounded after conceding the penalty kick, standing tall to save a point-blank shot attempt with 15 minutes to play that led to back-to-back Wolverine scores.
Michigan's offense doubled up Villanova in shots on goal (6-3) and total shots (16-9) with Ervin, Prych and senior captain Jenna Lang adding two shots on frame apiece. On the backline, sophomore Ellie Fife and junior Campbell Jewell, who assisted on Ervin's goal, played all 90 minutes to limit the Wildcats to just one shot on goal in each half, outside of the converted penalty kick.
The Wolverines came out firing in the opening five minutes of the season with timely runs from Prych and Ervin up front. The pair of strikers generated two dangerous scoring chances early, with a header from Ervin forcing a Villanova save just three minutes into the game.
Freshman Maya Raghunandanan made an instant impact in her collegiate debut, breaking away from the Wildcat backline just 40 seconds later. The Nova keeper was quick off her line to thwart the rookie's first career scoring chance at the last second.
In the 13th minute, Lang danced her way through two Villanova defenders, firing a powerful left-footed shot that nearly bounced off the keeper's gloves and into the net. However, after a video review, a no-goal call was upheld.
Homan made her only other save in the waning moments of the first half, slamming the door on a Villanova breakaway by poking a shot on goal wide of the frame in a one-on-one situation.
Seven fouls and a yellow card highlighted the opening segment of the second half before Nova punched in the penalty. Ignited by Homan's second save of the game, sophomore Ella Jablinskey forced a turnover that led to a perfectly executed transition play capped by Prych's goal.
Michigan heads home to open its home slate against Detroit Mercy on Sunday (Aug. 17) at 1 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Wolverines will be celebrating Wolverine Kids Club Day with the first 500 fans receiving a team poster and a postgame autograph session with the team. The contest will be streamed live on B1G+.
Team Stats
Amalia Cardo
NOVA Amalia Cardo PENALTY KICK GOAL.
69:44
Elle Ervin (1)
Assisted By: Campbell Jewell
GOAL by MICH Ervin, Elle Assist by Jewell, Campbell.
77:05
Gabrielle Prych (1)
Assisted By: Ella Jablinskey , Elle Ervin
GOAL by MICH Prych, Gabrielle Assist by Jablinskey, Ella and Ervin, Elle.
86:47
