The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/230001
NCAA tournament: women's soccer Virginia Ends U-M's Run In The Elite Eight It was a group that bought in on a promise, a vision of great things that could be, but certainly were not yet. When the Michigan women's soccer seniors signed their letters of intent as seniors in high school, they joined a program that had gone a combined 13-28-16 over the prior three seasons, would be opening a sparkling new soccer stadium the following year and had not won a Big Ten title since 1999. The group believed — and has helped Michigan soccer reach new heights. "I think that is why I committed to Michigan," senior defender Shelina Zadorsky said. "I could really see the vision [head coach] Greg [Ryan] and the coaching staff had. I bought into that, and to see it grow and become what we have always wanted it to be, Defender Shelina Zadorsky was part of it's so special. I wouldn't trade it for the a senior class that led the Wolverines world. I wouldn't change anything. I to a 53-22-10 record and three NCAA am so thankful for the opportunity to Tournament appearances the past four work with these great people to bring seasons. photo courtesy Michigan Michigan soccer to this national place." Athletic Media Relations When they left the pitch for the final time as Wolverines, with the scoreboard reading 2-1 in favor of the opposition, it could have been a somber occasion. But it was more bittersweet. Their careers over, the senior class had still helped the Wolverines reach the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history, narrowly losing to No. 1 Virginia. "I am so proud of every player on our team," Michigan head coach Greg Ryan said. "It's not just the starters. It's the kids who come out every day and train hard every day to push the starters and the kids coming off the bench. This is very much a team. They have great chemistry. They are motivated by working for one another. "Bo Schembechler's saying, 'The Team, The Team, The Team,' that is truly the motto of this group. When you look at Virginia, which has so much talent, if you don't play really well together, you're going to get lit up. That speaks to the