Michigan 5, Maryland 13

After an unintended delay in getting this post up, let’s talk Michigan’s chance against the No. 1 team in the country.

Tempo Free

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

Against the best possession team in the country, Michigan managed to stay just about dead even. Maryland had a slight edge on faceoffs and rode a bit better, but Michigan had a couple more clearing opportunities.

Where Maryland won the game (duh) was on both ends of the field. Shocker of the century: Michigan doesn’t yet have the horses to hang with one of the best offenses and the best defense in the country. Shrug.

Notes

The flow of this game was interesting to me. Michigan actually managed to stay within 2-1 at the end of the first quarter, and though there was never a real threat after that point that they’d be winning the game, it didn’t feel like they were getting blown out until an 8-4 Maryland advantage stretched a few goals and eventually reached 13-4 before Michigan got the game’s final goal. Given that the scoring margin was about what I expected, but the way that margin came about was not (I though UMd would blow the doors off early, than give plenty of time to their depth players), it’s an overall positive result.

Starting somewhere that I usually don’t in the notes with Maryland’s ride. I was expecting some super-aggressive schemes out of the Terps, and was interested to see that they really don’t operate that way. Of course they’re not vanilla, to say the least, but it’s more of an effort and attitude thing than any fancy tactic. They know they have better athletes than the opposition, and they believe there’s no reason not to exploit that advantage. Given Michigan’s history (in the club days and even from time-to-time in the first three years of the varsity program) with heavy rides, you have to imagine that’s the endgame for this program as well.

Some of Michigan’s failed clears were simple execution errors as well – a midfielder had his stick checked from behind and the ball rolled out of bounds, a backup defenseman thrust into duty missed his pass to an open midfielder a couple times – so even against the best ride they’ll see, Michigan didn’t perform to poorly. They actually moved Maryland’s numbers slightly down by hitting 80% clearing on the day.

The other aspects of possession (Michigan rode heavy a few times late when the game was already out of hand, but it didn’t have a huge effect) lay mostly with faceoffs. I’m a couple more up-and-down performances from labeling this unit “mercurial.” Brad Lott can win most clamps – and often comes away with the ball cleanly – but was having trouble against Maryland’s aggressive wing players moving the ball before the Terps could take it away. With the great sticks Maryland has though, Lott’s single turnover is the only downside from the performance.

On offense, Michigan came out firing early, launching shots – accurate or not – at the goal. That was the right move, but unfortunately even their good shots were saved by goalie Niko Amato, who not only is really good, but played out of his mind (unless Michigan’s shooters are just that much worse than most he faces – which I don’t believe to be the case). Once Maryland was able to settle down and control possession, U-M chances in the box were few and far between, and the team struggled to get into the same rhythm through the second and third quarters.

As for personnel, Ian King continues to establish himself as a threat on attack, but against Maryland’s stout defense, he was the only one at that position group making a huge difference. Midfielder Mikie Schlosser (who, like King, had two goals and no assists) showed that he’s a star in the making. He had a couple dodges – one simply a straight sprint in transition – that showed he could have suited up for either team. Michigan’s talent is arriving, and by the time these guys get some experience, the offense will come.

Defensively, Michigan actually did a much better job than you might expect against a potent offense. Even with starting defenseman Mack Gembis out with injury, they took away more of the passing and shooting angles than they have in a while, and they weren’t getting beat as often as you’d expect in one-on-one situations. The rotation on defense also seemed much smoother than usual. Matt Rambo did end up with four goals for the Terps, but they all came with the game out of reach. Just about nobody expected that (or that Mike Chanenchuk would also be held to four points, on two goals and two assists, almost all after the game was out of reach) coming in, so chalk it up a win.

Robbie Zonino had a good day. He was facing probably the best shooters he’ll see all year – and the intimidation factor of that allowed him to get the lacrosse version of a five-hole Panenka from Jay Carlson at one point – and he stood up reasonably well.

Elsewhere

Michigan recap. Maryland recap. Photo gallery. The Diamondback game recap. Testudo Times game recap.

Up Next

Saturday afternoon, Michigan welcomes St. Joseph’s – its lone victim from last season – to Michigan Stadium. While the Hawks are an improved squad over last year, the fact that Michigan has several players who have beaten them before suiting up should at least instill some confidence.

The TFL numbers give Michigan a 42% chance of winning, even with the home-field advantage, so playing up to competition (a la Cornell, and to a certain extent, this Maryland game) rather than down to it (Furman, duh) will allow them to have a chance for win No. 5.