The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1242051
MAY 2020 THE WOLVERINE 33 and Sam Devecchi, forward Emma Cooper, and defender Alia Martin, provided a powerful engine for the group. Martin led the way. "Martin was one of our captains, and will be returning next year," Klein said. "What she did in that role, and the unity she created for our team, helping to create belief and keeping people focused, was unbe- lievable. I'm very excited she'll be back." The defender helped the Wolver- ines to six shutouts on the season, and a surge to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. "We got into it, and played a very good and difficult first-round game against Bowling Green [winning 2-1]," Klein recalled. "Then going against Texas Tech [3-2 win] and finishing with North Carolina, they realized how good they can be, and they are. What an unbelievable ex- perience." Even the 4-0 loss to the Tar Heels — who reached the national champi- onship game with a win over Wash- ington State in the semifinals — will help them, Klein assured. "To have a coach like Anson Dor- rance, who is a huge figure within our sport, compliment the team on the way that they played, assuring them that the score line was not a true indication of the game we played and the talent the group has — it was an experience the group needed to continue moving forward," Klein noted. Forward remains the key word, for a crew on the cusp. ❑ The Wolverines made the Sweet 16 and just missed winning a Big Ten title despite having only three seniors on the roster. The majority of the team will return next season with the goal of doing even better. PHOTO BY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY Another Trio Worth Considering Soccer didn't stand alone as a standout this season. Here are other women's teams that achieved significantly: • Gymnastics — Bev Plocki's crew went through the Big Ten at 9-0, winning the conference championship for the fourth straight season, and finished 12-1 overall. They achieved the best scoring average in the program's modern history (197.128). But their NCAA chance was stolen by the jarring, COVID-19-caused cancellation of the final weeks of the season. • Cross Country — Mike McGuire's team wound up No. 13 at the NCAA Championships. The Wolverines experienced strong efforts in the Big Ten (third) and regional meets (second). • Swimming & Diving — This team geared up strongly for the NCAA Championships, after finishing second in the Big Ten and going undefeated in dual matches (6-0 overall, 4-0 Big Ten). The Wolverines were ranked No. 5 nationally by the coaches, but their NCAA chance never came this spring due to the COVID-19 cancellation. — John Borton