The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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that is competing at the highest level," Rosen said. "There's a higher level of interest in elite players looking at our program as a potential option in recruiting. People are talking about it, congratulating us or commenting that they love the style of play of our team and the way we approached it. There are not negatives that come out of that situation, just positives." Women's Soccer Ready To Break Through This summer, Travis Clark of TopDrawerSoccer.com wrote an article entitled "2013 women's national title contenders." In it, he pegged the Wolverines as a dark horse candidate for the sport's highest crown. Ryan didn't really know what to make of the article at that point. He knew he had a load of veterans returning on defense, and senior forward Nkem Ezurike, a threetime All-Big Ten honoree, back from last season's 165-3 team. But he also knew Michigan would start true freshman Taylor Bucklin in net and was hopeful — but not certain — that the offense would have enough weapons around Ezurike to provide a little more balance. Through eight games (including a programrecord six straight wins to start the season), those questions were been answered in a big way. The 7-1 and No. 16-ranked Wolverines had scored 20 total goals, putting them on pace to score 45 in the regular season alone, more than they have scored in any year (including postSenior forward Nkem Ezurike, who is already a three-time season play) since 2000. Led by senior defendAll-Big Ten honoree, was leading U-M in goals and assists, ers Shelina Zadorsky and with six of each, through Sept. 23. photo courtesy michigan athletic media relations Holly Hein, Michigan had