Lang Scores Twice, Second Half Goals Lift Michigan Over No. 14 Rutgers

Michigan trailed 2-0 at Halftime but outscored the Scarlet Knights 3-0 in the second half to secure the win.
Freshman Jenna Lang scored twice in the second half, with the goals coming just over two minutes apart.
The loss for the Scarlet Knights is their second of the season.
While UM did its part to remain alive in the Big Ten Tournament race, Minnesota’s 2-0 win over Purdue eliminates UM from postseason competition.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Trailing the No. 14 Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2-0 at the half, the University of Michigan Women’s soccer team rallied in the second half, scoring three goals to secure a 3-2 victory. Freshman Jenna Lang scored twice nearly two minutes apart in what proved to be the difference on Thursday night (Oct. 20) at UM Soccer Stadium.

Rutgers (13-1-2, 5-1-2 B1G) got on the board early in the second minute, as Sara Brocious converted near post on a feed from Sam Kroeger just 1:25 into the contest.

The Scarlet Knights doubled their lead just under 10 minutes later, as a superb effort from RU’s Riley Tiernan resulted in RU’s second marker of the contest.

Two of Michigan’s three chances in the first half came from distance, with the first coming off the foot of the senior Lily Farkas in the 33rd minute and the latter coming in the 44th minute from the foot of Avery Kalitta.

The match Flipped in the second half, as the Wolverines (7-7-3, 2-5-2 B1G) found life in the opening 10 minutes of action following the Halftime break. Two minutes in, Farkas had a shot on frame from the top left that rattled off the right post. Farkas nearly converted once again in the 55th, as she linked up with junior Sammi Woodstook a touch, and had a sliding effort inside the 18 that was pushed over the bar.

Michigan cut the lead in half in the 65th, as Farkas was fouled along the right flank. Junior Sarah Bridenstine played a service ball off a set piece that skipped past a group of Rutgers Defenders and past the RU goalkeeper to put the Wolverines on the board.

Lang checked into the match in the 71st minute and immediately made a difference. Her first shot in the 72nd was blocked away, but the next two chances found the back of the net. The tally in the 78th minute came on a service from junior Kacey Lawrence that was played wide by freshman Vickie Jones. Lawrence’s low ball from the left flank was slotted home by Lang on the doorstep to tie the match.

The match-winner was also played in by Lawrence just 2:01 after the match was tied up. Lang was there once again for the second marker to lift the Wolverines to the 3-2 victory.

Tweet of the Match

80′ | GOAL!!!

LANG & Lawrence connect once again! We take the lead.

3:2
#GoBlue?? | #MakeItHappen pic.twitter.com/JTk3ibqU30

Michigan Women’s Soccer (@umichwsoccer) October 21, 2022

Graduate student goalkeeper Izzy Nino made six saves in goal. Lang entered the match with one goal on the season, while Lawrence doubled her season assist total to four. The secondary assist from Jones was the first of her career.

While UM did its part to remain alive in the Big Ten Tournament race, Minnesota’s 2-0 win over Purdue this evening put the Wolverines out of contention for the spot in the tournament, in which the top eight seeds earn a berth.

Michigan concludes its season on Sunday (Oct. 23), hosting the Indiana Hoosiers. The Matchup is slated for a 2 pm kick and will be broadcast on B1G+.