The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/90932
Kopmeyer did most of the heavy lift- ing, defensively — the Michigan de- fense has stiffened up, led by junior Shelina Zadorsky and sophomore Chloe Sosensko. In previous years, Kopmeyer has saved 86 shots (2009), 95 shots (2010), which ranks third-most in a single season in program history, and 115 shots (2011), which is the single-sea- son program record. This year, Kopmeyer has saved just 76 shots (No. 10 in the Big Ten), while her save percentage (.854) is the best of her career and second in the Big Ten behind Jillian McVicker of Ohio State (.900). "The defense is making my job much easier than it has been in the past," Kopmeyer said. "I haven't had to face the sheer volume of shots that I did in the past, and it's more orga- nized. The chemistry we have has really been good, helping us defend and attack." Before the season, Ryan had some concerns about how this group would come together. Zadorsky, sophomore midfielder Christina Murillo and junior forward Nkem Ezurike, who was second-team All- Big Ten in 2010 and 2011, competed in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Japan, missing a large chunk of the preseason training regimen and the first four games of the regu- lar season. The Wolverines overcame the ab- sence of three of their best players, beating Fordham, Pitt, Cal State Ful- lerton and Detroit by the combined score of 9-1. It was a bit of a struggle to reintro- duce the players back into the lineup upon their return — but eventually, Ryan started to see the team jell. "I knew we had challenges, but I felt like things could come together for us this year," he said. "Every weekend has been a little surprise. When we went to Wisconsin and Minnesota and came away with two wins [1-0 over Minnesota and 3-0 over No. 14 Wisconsin], the odds- makers weren't betting that one. To get a draw with Penn State, the odds- makers weren't betting on that one, Fifth-year senior goalie Haley Kopmeyer has posted the best save percentage of her career (.854), and she ranked second in that category in the Big Ten for the regular season. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS NOVEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 111