The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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OLYMPIC SPORTS Tournament quarterfinals]," Ryan said. "What we don't have is that experience. You look at that team, and they were all in their junior and senior years, but we're getting there. "I think we have more talent than most teams, but we have to be like steel. We can't be soft and expect to win in the Big Ten." Top Players: Junior Nicky Waldeck (12 goals) and sophomore Ani Sarkisian (12 assists) combined for 16 goals and 17 assists last season, and will be counted on to lead an offensive attack this year that will likely also include freshman Reilly Martin. "Nicky is going to get in behind a de‑ fense and score goals," Ryan said. "She is great in the air, and then you have Ani that can do all the work to get the ball underneath." Sophomore goalkeeper Megan Hinz was 11‑3‑3 in 17 starts a year ago, sur‑ rendering just 0.85 goals per game while registering five shutouts. "Megan has earned the starting posi‑ tion and she continues to earn it ev‑ ery day," Ryan noted. "This is a kid that never takes anything for granted; she is such a competitor." Athlete To Watch: The Wolverines wel‑ come back Christina Murillo for her se‑ nior year after the Ojai, Calif., native took a leave from the program so she could train and compete with Team Mexico for the 2015 Women's World Cup. "It's like having a pro player join your team," Ryan said. "She just calms our whole team down. She's a great leader. She organizes our defense. We have three other very good defenders back there, but just her presence gives us composure we lacked all of last year." Don't Miss: Michigan versus Nebraska Sept. 18. MEN'S SOCCER First Game: Aug. 8, at Creighton. Big Ten Predicted Finish: Top six. NCAA Best- Case Scenario: First round. Coach's Expectations: "We have been here three calendar years and four sea‑ sons, and we have a better understand‑ ing of Michigan, the culture, the kind of student‑athletes that can be successful. We're excited about the potential of this group more than any group we've ever had since I've been here," fourth‑year head coach Chaka Daley said. "We're certainly moving in the right direction." Top Players: Fifth‑year senior forward Hear a fall preview on the men's soccer team with coach Chaka Daley. CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP THE PODCAST Hear a fall preview on the women's soccer team with coach Greg Ryan. CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP THE PODCAST