Michigan Drops First Match of Season at Alabama

Thursday, August 21

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

7:00 PM CT

Michigan

2-1-0, 0-0-0

Alabama

3-0-0, 0-0-0

Michigan

Alabama

(Alabama Athletics)

8/21/2025 11:17:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Quinn Schmidt

» Elle Ervin scored for the third straight game.
» Goalkeeper Sophie Homan made a career-high six saves.
» Adi Walick contributed her fourth assist of the season.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team lost its first match of the season, falling to Alabama 3-1 on Thursday night (Aug. 21) at the Alabama Soccer Complex. Sophomore Elle Ervin scored U-M's goal -- her third in as many games -- but the Crimson Tide used the energy of the home crowd to rattle off three unanswered scores and claim the victory.

Ervin has scored in each of the Wolverines' three games, while classmate Adi Walick picked up her team-high fourth assist of the campaign. Senior captain Sophie Homan also notched a new career-high with six saves on 21 shots faced.

After conceding Ervin's goal in the 14th minute, the Crimson Tide (3-0) limited U-M (2-1) to just two shots on goal for the remainder of the game while testing Homan with nine shots on target. Alabama broke the 1-1 draw just 44 seconds out of halftime, eventually putting the game out of reach with a penalty kick in the 74th minute.

Alabama rode the home crowd in the early going, controlling the pace of play with the first two shots of the game. But Ervin silenced the stadium when she chased down a through ball from Walick, taking a long touch and punching in the game's opening score with her right foot.

The Crimson Tide retook the reins after conceding, putting their next four shots on goal -- three of which were smothered by Homan. Despite the senior's four first-half saves, Alabama was able to even the score heading into the half.

The home side continued rolling in the opening moments of the second stanza, quickly slotting the go-ahead goal near-post 44 seconds into the half.

U-M recovered by logging seven of the next nine shots. Walick's dangerous service on five Michigan corner kicks put pressure on the Alabama defense, which held firm to block or save the Wolverines' would-be equalizers.

Alabama eventually put the game out of reach after drawing a penalty in the box with 15 minutes remaining, converting from the spot to hand Michigan its first loss of the 2025 season.

The Wolverines continue their SEC road trip with a Sunday (Aug. 24) matinee at Georgia. Kickoff from Turner Soccer Complex is set for noon, and the game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.