2016 Season Preview: Women's Lacrosse
1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Jan. 27, 2016
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2016 OUTLOOK
Under the direction of third-year head coach Jennifer Ulehla, the Michigan women's lacrosse team will embark on its third season as a varsity program in 2016. The Maize and Blue will enter the 2016 campaign with 31 of its 35 letterwinners from the 2015 roster, including all starters and 100 percent of its goal scoring from a year ago. Now in their third season, the Wolverines boast three classes -- with 19 juniors, 12 sophomores and a 13-person freshman class that will add talent and depth to the roster.
In 2015, Michigan was led by junior Jess Angerman with 48 points, on 33 goals and 15 assists, and Anna junior Anna Schueler with 34 goals and seven assists. Schueler has also led U-M in draw controls in each of the last two season, recording 46 in 2015. This season, junior midfielder Kim Coughlan will be U-M's go-to draw specialist, while Schueler will use her explosiveness off the draw circle. Coughlan notched 31 goals a year ago despite being shifted to a more defensive role in the latter half of the season.
With another year of experience under their belt, the Wolverines have skill, speed and depth at every position and are ready to kick off their season against first-year program Central Michigan on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m. inside Oosterbaan Field House. In total, 11 of U-M's 17 games will be played at home, including four out of the first five at Oosterbaan.
STUDENT-ATHLETES TO WATCH
Anna Schueler, A -- Schueler has been Michigan's top goal scorer in each of the last two seasons, tallying 34 in 2015 and 32 in 2014. She is one of U-M's most explosive and influential players on the offensive and defensive sides of the field, as well as in the midfield transition. Schueler has also led the Wolverines in draw controls in each of the last two seasons, pulling down 46 in 2015 and 54 in 2014.
Kim Coughlan, M -- Coughlan is one of Michigan's most dynamic all-around players with the ability to make an impact on both ends of the field, as well as in the midfield transition. She has scored 52 goals in her U-M career. With her height and speed, she will be Michigan's primary draw specialist in 2016 and will be a crucial part of its midfield transition.
Jess Angerman, A -- Angerman is a powerful attacker and has led Michigan in points and assists in each of the last two seasons, finishing with 48 points, including 15 assists in 2015. She holds the U-M record for assists in a game after dishing out five last season at Notre Dame. Angerman is a low attacker with the ability to feed from behind the cage and attack around the crease.
Allison Silber, G -- Silber has started all 34 games in goal in her Michigan career and is the anchor and vocal leader in Michigan's defense. Her numbers improved drastically from 2014 to 2015, finishing the 2015 season with 135 saves and a goals against average of 11.96. As Michigan begins its third season as a varsity program, Silber will be a key component to its defensive success and continue to be called upon to make big saves in the cage.
From left: Anna Schueler, Kim Coughlan, Jess Angerman
KEY COMPETITIONS
Sunday, Feb. 21 -- vs. Marquette
Michigan and Marquette are tied 1-1 in the all-time series, having met in each of U-M's first two seasons of a varsity program. Marquette's program is just one year older than U-M's, as the Golden Eagles began competition in 2013. In the first meeting between the two teams, Marquette overcame an early 5-0 deficit to defeat Michigan, 12-10, while in 2015, Michigan outscored Marquette 8-1 in the second half to overcome a 6-2 halftime deficit and earn a 10-7 victory.
Tuesday, March 1 -- at San Diego State // Friday, March 4 -- at USC
Michigan's spring trip will take it to southern California this season, where it will face San Diego State and USC. Both games will provide early-season tests for the Wolverines. San Diego State is in its fifth season as a varsity program and finished 9-8 last season, while USC is a fourth-year program that went 14-6 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Trojans were picked No. 20 in the Nike/LM Division I Women's Preseason Top 20.
Date TBA -- vs. Ohio State // April 17 -- vs. Penn State // April 23 -- vs. Maryland
Michigan's 2016 Big Ten home schedule will bring three conference opponents to Michigan Stadium that each finished in the top 25 nationally in 2015 -- Ohio State, Penn State and defending national champion Maryland. Fans will have the opportunity to see some of the best lacrosse in the nation played right here in Ann Arbor.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Jennifer Ulehla
On the next step she's looking for the program to take in year three ... "One of our main focuses has always been consistency, and more consistency leads to winning. You want to take care of the little things consistently, which we've been doing, and when we continue to do that at a different level, good things will come. The name of the game is winning, we want to pull out these one-goal games and we want to compete against these Big Ten teams and keep working towards becoming champions."
On the new NCAA rules changes and how they'll affect the game this year ... "The biggest one is the self-start because there aren't as many whistles. In the midfield, if there is a foul, the individual can pick it up and start right away. In the fall, it took a while for our team to get used to it, but it has really picked up the speed of the game. From a spectator standpoint, I think it's going to be very exciting for people to watch."
Junior Midfield Anna Schueler
On the biggest difference in this year's team ... "Confidence. With experience under our belts we are confident in our ability as lacrosse players and I believe that will create more success for us."
2014-15 RECAP
In 2015, head coach Jennifer Ulehla led the University of Michigan women's lacrosse team into its second year as a varsity program with a roster consisting of 23 sophomores and 12 freshmen. Despite the 2014 season being known as the "season of firsts," 2015 brought another first for the program, as the Big Ten Conference sponsored its first season of women's lacrosse. Michigan finished with a 5-12 overall record, including a 0-5 mark in Big Ten play, but was competitive in nearly every game, losing five games by one goal, including two in overtime and one in double overtime. Sophomore Anna Schueler was selected to the inaugural Big Ten All-Tournament Team following a three-goal performance in U-M's first-round matchup with No. 9 Northwestern (L, 13-9). Schueler led Michigan with 34 goals and 46 draw controls on the season, while sophomore Jess Angerman had a team-best 48 points, on 33 goals and a team-high 15 assists.
Communications Contact: Whitney Dixon
