'They're a well-drilled unit': Rutgers men's soccer prepares for tough test against No. 25 Michigan
After a two-game road stretch, the Rutgers men's soccer team returns to Yurcak Field on Busch campus for a Saturday evening clash with Michigan. The Scarlet Knights (3-5-1, 0-2-0) are back on the Banks after previously drawing 1-1 against Yale and losing 3-0 to Ohio State.
To preview the matchup against the Wolverines (5-0-3, 1-0-2), The Daily Targum sat down with Vihaan Easwar, a sportswriter for The Michigan Daily.
No. 25 Michigan is undefeated through eight matches, which is its best start to a season since 2007. This is already a massive improvement from last season when the Wolverines only won five games and struggled in Big Ten play.
Easwar credits Michigan's hot start to Marquette transfer Beto Soto, who leads the team with seven assists. He also says that Soto has linked up well with Bryce Blevins, who has 3 goals and five assists this season. The duo leads the team with 11 points and are constantly at the forefront of the Wolverine's attack.
"(Soto) adds this dimension of directness to the team that you don't really find from some of the other players," Easwar said. "He's quick, he's got some tricks in his arsenal, he'll take on a defender one-on-one."
Michigan's defense struggled last season and conceded 27 goals, the second-most in the Big Ten. This season, the Wolverines have allowed 7 goals in 8 games, the fourth-lowest. Easwar says the backline has improved on the ball and grown more comfortable, leading to a better defense.
"In general, they're just kind of all gelling much better together as a team," he said. "A lot of the players were younger and they've got experience under their belt."
When asked about players to look out for, Easwar said Blevins is the team's most talented player.
"(Blevins will) track back, he'll mark a man," he said. "He'll also kinda make that run into the box, he'll try to finish off chances. He sort of does everything on that left flank on the pitch."
Michigan's goalkeeper, Isaiah Goldson, is one of the best in the Big Ten. Out of the conference goalkeepers who played in at least 14 games last season, Goldson's 70.6 save percentage is in the top five.
"Goalkeeper Isaiah Goldson was definitely one of the breakout stars of the team last season," Easwar said. "He was a freshmen and (now) he's a sophomore so I think he's got that much more experience under his belt."
The Big Ten is one of the toughest conferences in the nation, so it will be tough for the Wolverines to keep up their positive form, but Easwar thinks it's possible.
"I think they have the fundamentals ironed down well, they're a well-drilled unit tactically." Easwar said on Michigan. "They kind of know exactly what they need to do, they play very direct which I think is key to playing at this level … I see no reason why they can't sustain this momentum."
Rutgers will be looking to avoid what happened in Ann Arbor, Michigan, last season. The Knights blew a 2-goal lead, conceding 3 straight goals in the second half and suffered their first conference defeat.
This time, though, Rutgers is home and will also have its Senior Day. The game will kick off at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
For more updates on the Rutgers men's soccer team, follow @TargumSports on X.
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