Michigan
1-5-1, 0-0-0
Alabama
6-2-0, 0-0-0
Wolverines Blank No. 24 Alabama to Wrap Non-Conference Play
9/8/2024 3:59:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team (1-5-1) scored in the 43rd minute and kept No. 24 Alabama (6-2-0) off the board in a 1-0 shutout win over the Crimson Tide on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 8) at U-M Soccer Stadium. It marked Michigan's first win over a ranked team since recording a 1-0 victory at No. 11 Notre Dame on Sept. 7, 2023.
Michigan broke through in the 43rd minute, taking a 1-0 lead into the half after Adi Walick played a perfect ball into the box to Elle Ervin, who got a head on it for her first collegiate goal. It also marked the first career points for Walick. Ervin had just entered the game moments earlier before scoring the lone goal of the contest.
After halftime, Alabama came out and attacked early on but the Michigan defense stayed organized and kept the Crimson Tide off the board.
Michigan had several chances in the latter stages of the second half to put the game away with another goal, most notably when Taylor Brennan got a shot off with 17 minutes remaining but the Alabama goalie got a hand on it to keep the Michigan lead to one goal. Jenna Lang collected the rebound and fired away, but her shot was too high.
The Michigan defense recorded its first shutout of the year, with Tamia Tolbert, Avery Peters and Aniyah League anchoring the back line. Goalkeeper Stephanie Sparkowski made four saves in goal, recording the seventh shutout of her career.
Michigan begins Big Ten play this week, heading to State College to face Penn State on Thursday (Sept. 12) at 7:30 p.m.
Team Stats
Elle Ervin (1)
Assisted By: Adi Walick
GOAL by U-M Ervin, Elle Assist by Walick, Adi.
42:36
