Michigan 9, Colgate 8

This was a big win for Michigan – arguably one of the best in the short varsity era. There are caveats – they always seem to play better in Oosterbaan Fieldhous than anywhere else, for example, but a win is a win, yeah?

Tempo Free

From the official box score, a look at the tempo-free stats:

Michigan won the possession game handily (despite a poor clearing game), and it ultimately was the difference in this one. Colgate was quite a bit more efficient – though neither team was particularly good – but dominance on faceoffs and just enough on the ride won them the game.

Notes

So, about Oosterbaan Fieldhouse. Usually Michigan has a ride/clear advantage (thanks to comfort playing against the white ceiling and walls) when playing in the facility, and they did ride pretty well. However, they were poor clearing themselves, which is uncharacteristic inside. If U-M had cleared at a rate that would make the coaches happier, this could have been a blowout.

…that also would have made the offensive efficiency a bit rosier – for both teams. Ten combined failed clears in a 66-possession game accounts for .152 of the lost offensive opportunity. Of course, it led to offense in the other direction as well, so the what-if game (especially since it, you know, happened) isn’t fair here.

Michigan won the first quarter handily. A 4-1 advantage on the scoreboard thanks to a 5-1 faceoff advantage, 7-2 in total ground balls, and DESPITE Michigan failing three clears in the frame is impressive. After that point, things really leveled off (after halftime, it was tilted in Colgate’s favor). The one stat that truly went the Raiders’ way in the first quarter was shots, but Michigan shot more accurately, and Gerald Logan did his part to allow just the lone goal.

Speaking of Logan, a great bounce back for him after a tough one against North Carolina. He made 15 saves while allowing eight goals (which earned him conference specialist of the week honors). Three of Colgate’s eight were assisted.

Chase Brown was the conference defensive player of the week, thanks to three caused turnovers and five ground balls (he added a goal, to boot). Stefan Bergman had three ground balls while causing two turnovers, and Andrew Hatton had two to round out a nice defensive effort. The team caused 13 total turnovers – and Colgate made just three unforced.

On offense, surprise surprise, Kyle Jackson and Ian King led the way, along with midfielder Mikie Schlosser. Jackson had four goals and Schlosser had two, while King added a pair of assists. Roles are becoming a little more defined at this point, with Jackson primarily a finisher, King the primary ball-carrying attackman (whether it’s feeding, as in this game, or ultimately shooting, as will be the case in the next recap), and the midfielders playing a bit more of a classic support/shooting role in the offense than we’ve seen in the past when Jackson (when he was at Mid) and Mike Harnandez doing a lot of the creating.

Brad Lott had a fantastic game on faceoffs, winning 12 of 17 draws (Mike McDonnell lost both of his attempts). He picked up five of the ground balls himself, which is a positive sign. When the rules changed a couple years back, he struggled at times when he couldn’t lock the ball into the back of the stick, and he’s adapted his game to be better at scooping without that in his arsenal.

Michigan again lost the third quarter. The difference was slight on the scoreboard (2-1), but Colgate launched 13 shots in the frame to just four for Michigan, had an extra-man opportunity, and was stymied only by Logan and shooting inaccuracy. In a win, you take it, but the Wolverines have to tighten up coming out of halftime.

Elsewhere

Boxscore. Photos. U-M recap. Colgate recap. Two conference players of the week for the Maize and Blue.

Up Next

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