Preparation is paramount to success.
Although it may be an overused coaching aphorism, it rang true Monday as the Michigan men’s soccer team (2-0-1) leaned on its preparation in its 2-0 victory over Bowling Green (3-1).
Surmounting the trend of stagnant offense that has plagued them in the past and overcoming the absence of a few key contributors, the Wolverines showed that they’re capable of netting multiple goals, especially when the prep work has been completed.
Controlling possession to start the game, Michigan earned a quick corner to set up an attack and secure momentum early. From there, the Wolverines kept the pressure on, forcing turnovers and maintaining control of the ball in their own zone.
“Their two forwards didn’t press as much,” Michigan coach Chaka Daley said. “So that gave us time to play and helped us to dictate a bit.”
Daley knew that the Falcons typically wait a long time to sub, and only do so in moderation. In contrast, the Wolverines rotated players in and out several times throughout the game, which allowed them to keep ball pressure up and tire out their opponents.
Following a first half of sustained pressure and multiple opportunities to score, Michigan capitalized on Bowling Green’s tired legs. After the Falcons failed to convert on a free kick, the Wolverines stormed up the field with time running out on the first half. A looping cross found the head of diving junior forward Oliver Martin for the game’s first goal, and Michigan went into halftime with the lead.
“Coach always stressed being in one of three positions: front post, back post or at the top of the twelve,” Martin said. “…The best position to be in is within the goal post, so I was in there.”
Martin’s textbook orientation in the box was indicative of a Wolverine team that knew where to be and when to be there.
Despite coming out of halftime down a goal, Bowling Green didn’t blink. After a Michigan turnover, the Falcons drew two fouls and a corner kick. Following a quick clearance from Wolverines’ defense, Bowling Green regained control and rocketed two shots on goal in quick succession.
Still, Michigan stayed confident in themselves and their preparation.
“They had a really good spell in the first 15 minutes of the second half,” Daley said. “But then we got back to it.”
Subbing in three new players in the 70th minute, Daley trusted his team and trusted his decisions.
This strategy worked as a lapse in the Bowling Green defense led to two Wolverine attackers streaking down the opposite side of the field. Graduate forward Beto Soto snuck a cross through two Falcons’ defenders to find the foot of senior midfielder Charlie Lawrence, who took advantage of a one-on-one opportunity to calmly net his second goal of the season.
Michigan knew that Bowling Green would flinch. It trusted it ability to execute a game plan and find the right opportunities to strike, and it found them.
“We knew where we wanted to put the ball, and we knew what we wanted to do with it,” Martin said. “And in terms of what coaches wanted from us, we excelled in that.”
After securing a comfortable two-goal lead, the Wolverines trusted their defensive preparation and warded off the Falcons’ fading attacks.
Defense hasn’t been a problem for Michigan this season. But, Daley and the rest of the Wolverines know that goals change games. If they prepare consistently throughout the season, they should be can scratching across enough goals to win like they did Monday. Preparation leads to goals and goals lead to success, so Michigan’s success on Monday was due to its preparation.
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Publish date : 2024-09-02 16:37:00
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