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Michigan Lacrosse Takes Home Second Victory Of 2023 Season

On Tuesday, the Michigan Wolverines improved to 2-1 on the season with a victory over Canisius.

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Michigan Lacrosse

Ann Arbor, MI. — On Tuesday, the Michigan Wolverines (2-1, 2-0 home) took on the Canisius Golden Griffins (0-3, 0-2 away) at U-M Lacrosse Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. After winning its home opener against Hofstra on Saturday, the Michigan lacrosse team improved to 2-1 on the season with its second-straight victory on the young season. Unlike Michigan’s first win of the year, which was a gritty, one-goal victory, the Wolverines took today’s matchup with ease.

Michigan lacrosse jumps out to early lead in first half

After losing the game’s opening faceoff, Michigan freshman goaltender Hunter Taylor made a crucial save, which gave the Michigan Wolverines possession and led to a Michigan goal. The goal was scored by Michigan senior Jacob Jackson, who had four goals in his previous performance against Hofstra — it was Jackson’s fifth goal of the year.

Not long after, Michigan lacrosse piled into its lead, this time, from junior Michael Boehm, who made it a two-goal game with his second goal of the season. After Canisius netted their first of the game. Boehm launched another ball into the Golden Griffin net, making it a 3-1 ballgame.

As the first quarter winded down, the Wolverines took a penalty, which Canisius managed to capitalize off of, though the Griffins’ success was short-lived as Michael Boehm netted his third of the first quarter soon after.

“A lot of times today I had the easiest job ever.” Boehm said after the game. “I was sitting on the backdoor from Josh [Zawada] or the man up, or wherever it was, I just had an easy finish. Whether it was a good pick or a good offensive flow or whatever it was.”

After one quarter, Michigan lead 4-2.

Massive second quarter gives Wolverines huge lead at halftime

Right out of the gate in the second, the Michigan Lacrosse Wolverines took control of the game and launched a series of shots at the Canisius net. Just 30 seconds into the quarter, Jacob Jackson scored his second of the game, making it a 5-2 lead. The goal was Jackson’s sixth goal over the past four days. Minutes later, senior Josh Zawada made it a 6-2 game with his fifth goal of the year — the celebrations continued less than two minutes later as the Wolverines continued to pile onto their extensive lead.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the half, the Michigan lacrosse team made it a 7-2 game behind a goal from sophomore Aidan Mulholland, his third of the season. After taking a timeout with just under 8:00 remaining in the half, Michigan sophomore Ryan Cohen scored his sixth goal of the season, making it an 8-2 Michigan lead before half. The goal was soon followed by another Wolverine score — graduate student Bryce Clay scored his second of the season, pushing the Wolverines’ lead to seven goals.

Clay’s goal was the Wolverines’ 5th unanswered score, though Canisius got back on the board just minutes later, making it a 9-3 lead for Michigan. The Golden Griffin goal appeared to do nothing but motivate the Michigan Wolverines to lay on the gas, which they did on their following possession behind Josh Zawada’s second goal of the day (6th of season). Michigan did not stop there, either, as Boehm scored his fourth of the game, pushing the Wolverine lead to 11-3.

After one half of play, the Michigan lacrosse team led Canisius by eight goals, as it remained an 11-3 game.

Second half propels Michigan lacrosse to wide-margin victory

Throughout the first six minutes of the second half, there was little commotion — both teams went back and forth exchanging defensive possessions. This trend was broken by Aidan Mulholland, his second of the game and fourth on the season. Halfway through the third quarter, the Wolverines’ lead was back to nine (12-3).

With 5:01 remaining the Wolverines scored again; this time, Ryan Cohen scored his seventh of the year, which was followed by another Wolverine goal from senior Jake Bonomi. The Michigan lead was 14-3 with 3:31 remaining in the third.

As the final minute of the third quarter rolled around, Canisius finally got back on the board — the Golden Griffins cut Michigan’s lead to 10 with 42.4 seconds remaining in the quarter. At that point in the game, it felt as if Canisius was patching a dam with duct tape as the Wolverines showed no signs of slowing down.

After three quarters, the Michigan Wolverines’ lead over Canisius was 14-4.

Wolverines finish game on a high note, improve to 2-1

To open the final quarter of play, the Michigan Wolverines scored their 15th goal of the game — Michael Boehm netted his fifth of the game and sixth of the season to give UM an 11-goal lead. With Michigan down two men due to penalties, Canisius managed to net their fifth of the game with 10:23 remaining.

“Nobody really cares who it is [that has a big game]” Boehm said. “Again, you can have one day where somebody has a big day or it could all be distributed pretty evenly, too. As long as we score it doesn’t really matter who ends up with it.”

With the Wolverines still down due to penalty, Canisius scored its 6th of the game, making it a 15-6 Michigan lacrosse lead. Just seconds later, the Michigan Wolverines answered The Griffins’ two goals with one of the own — Josh Zawada scored his 100th career goal and his third of the day with just over eight minutes remaining in the game.

“It feels good,” Josh Zawada said after the game. “First thing I want to say [on his 100 career goals] they’re assisted by other guys, and that goes unseen. So I want to give credit to all the guys that kind of go unnoticed, because obviously they set me up, and 100 career goals starts with them first… they don’t get the praise with an accolade like that, but they’re time is coming and I think it starts with those guys that assisted those goals.

Michigan’s lead was back to double digits as the Wolverines led 16-6. The late-game back and forth seemed to continue as Canisius netted their 7th just moments later, bringing the game back within nine.

Seconds after Canisius scored its 7th, the Griffins scored again to bring the game within eight at 16-8. There was only 7:46 remaining, but it seemed as if the Griffins had some fight left in them. Canisius’ hot streak was brought to an end when Michigan senior Kevin Pimental netted the Wolverines’ 17th of the game, which was followed by a Griffin penalty, leading to an 18th Michigan lacrosse goal.

With 1:14 remaining the Michigan Wolverines scored their 19th of the game — Emmett Houlihan scored his first of the season.

Final: MICHIGAN 19, CANISIUS 8

Michigan’s win comes just days after escaping the home opener with a gritty, one-goal victory over Hofstra — this early in the season, it’s valuable experience to have a gritty win like Saturday’s and a pretty win like today’s.

“Getting a win in February is just big as it is,” Boehm said. “Mid-week, weekend, whatever it is, whoever it is — I think more so this year than previous years it’s all about us. No matter what happens, whoever it is across from us, time, place, day, doesn’t matter. As long as we come out and we are representing the ‘Block M ‘ appropriately, that’s like the biggest thing, so it doesn’t matter who we play, where it is, when — as long as we’re doing what we do and playing Michigan lacrosse that’s the most important thing.”

What’s next for the Michigan lacrosse team?

Today’s game was the Wolverines’ final home contest for the next month — Michigan has a three-game road trip ahead of it, with stops at Naples, FL (vs. Marquette), at Delaware, and at Harvard. Michigan’s next home game will be on March 18th against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, their final non-conference game of the year before beginning their five-game Big Ten slate on March 25th against Johns Hopkins at U-M Lacrosse Stadium.

“It starts with us and focusing on us,” Zawada said. “Just getting our bodies right, start hydrating now — we’re going to 85-degree weather and just played in 30-degree weather, so it’s kind of crazy… These couple of games, [we’re] just focusing on us and taking it one game at a time.”

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebookand Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan baseball takes conference opener after eight run inning

Michigan baseball starts conference play with a victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions after scoring eight runs in the fourth inning.

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Michigan baseball
@Adiel_Photography (Instagram)

ANN ARBOR, MI — Big 10 baseball is officially back for the Wolverines. This Friday, Michigan baseball hosted the Penn State Nittany Lions for the first of three games scheduled for this weekend. The Wolverine bats came alive in the fourth inning as Michigan baseball plated eight runners and batted around the order.

Michigan baseball continued to add runs to their lead and finished with a 13-4 victory over the Nittany Lions. Starting pitcher Connor O’Halloran pitched eight innings for the maize and blue, striking out seven and allowing four earned runs.

While O’Halloran’s pitching was dominant, Michigan’s hitting was the star of the show in their victory. Here’s a breakdown of the Wolverine’s electrifying eight-run fourth inning.

Velazquez Leadoff Homer

Michigan baseball entered the inning trailing 2-1 to Penn State. Leading off the inning was senior outfielder Joey Velazquez. After a breakout season last year, Velazquez has been relatively quiet at the plate. Velazquez entered the game batting .188 after 48 at-bats for the 2023 campaign.

After building a 3-2 count in a tight at bat, Velazquez sent a line drive over the right field wall for his first home run of the 2023 season. The score was now even at two a piece.

Velazquez’ homer tied the game, but more importantly, it built momentum. Michigan baseball was ready to rally.

Playing ‘Small Ball’

Next up after Velazquez was the switch-hitting senior Jake Marti. Marti kept the inning alive with a first-pitch infield single down the third base line. While it’s certainly less flashy than a home run, the hit kept the momentum alive and put a baserunner on with no outs.

Michigan catcher Gabe Sotres was hit by a pitch in the following at-bat, now putting two men on with still nobody out. With these runners on base, Michigan baseball decided to play classic small ball and bunt. Freshman Mitch Voit showed bunt on the first pitch, and despite the infield playing in, Voit placed the bunt perfectly to the left of the pitcher’s mound and beat the throw to first for another infield single.

The bases were now loaded with no outs for freshman outfielder Jonathan Kim. Kim, who’s been fighting for a starting spot in the outfield in the past few weeks, took full advantage of the opportunity before him and blooped a single into left, plating a run and advancing each runner exactly one base.

Now back at the top of the order, graduate transfer Cody Jefferis drew an RBI walk, increasing the Wolverines’ lead to 4-2 with still no outs and bases loaded. Penn State made a pitching change as they prepared to face the heart of the Wolverine lineup.

The Big Bats

At the most powerful part of the batting order, Michigan baseball continued to plate runners. Senior outfielder Tito Flores was the first out in the rally after hitting a deep sac fly to center field which plated the Wolverines’ fourth run of the inning.

This was immediately followed by a first-pitch double from Michigan’s three-spot hitter Ted Burton. The double scored a run and advanced the speedy Cody Jefferis to third base. A wild pitch on the next at-bat brought Jefferis home from third on a close play.

Michigan’s cleanup hitter Joe Longo hit the second home run of the inning, this one a two-run homer over the left field wall. This gave Michigan baseball a 9-2 lead after entering the inning trailing by one.

The Wolverines had officially batted around the order as Joey Velazquez stepped into the box for the second time that inning. Both Velazquez and Marti would ground out in their next at-bats, ending Michigan’s rally. The Wolverines finished the inning with six hits, eight runs, and no one left on base.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan hockey: time to take the interim tag off Brandon Naurato

Coach Brandon Naurato has more than proven himself worthy.

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Michigan hockey Brandon Naurato
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Seven months ago, head coach Mel Pearson was fired from the Michigan hockey team. The University of Michigan athletic department and athletic director Warde Manuel made this decision after a lengthy investigation of the hockey program. The investigation discovered an incredibly toxic culture throughout the team; that toxicity involved Coach Pearson. Also, there was an investigation on Mel Pearson regarding the potential harassment of female staff members. Since then, Michigan has hired a new head coach: Brandon Naurato.

Michigan hockey made the correct decision on firing head coach Mel Pearson, but the real question was, who would fill that spot? Mel Pearson took an incredibly talented team to be Big Ten Champions and a Frozen Four playoff run.

Michigan had to not only find someone who could take this team on another playoff run and have a good relationship with the players and recruits. This brought them to the decision of naming assistant Coach Brandon Naurato as “interim head coach.”

Brandon Naurato as Interim Head Coach

In the off-season after the 2021-2022 season, the Michigan hockey team lost 14 out of 29 players due to graduation or the NHL. Team 100 was one of the most talented college hockey teams ever. With former Wolverine stars like Matty Beniers, Owen Power, Kent Johnson and Nick Blankenburg off to the NHL, Naurato had to take a nearly brand-new team and attempt to exceed expectations.

With 12 players in the incoming freshman class, this made over half of the team underclassmen. To be exact, 17 of the 27 players on the roster are freshmen and sophomores. Michigan has the youngest yet one of the most talented teams in college hockey.

The Michigan hockey team this season has had its ups and downs; however, that was expected with an inexperienced roster. Still, in his first year as head coach, the team went 24-11-3 and won the Big Ten Tournament against No. 1 ranked Minnesota

He led this Michigan hockey team to another NCAA tournament berth and to make another run at the Frozen Four. Brandon Naurato not only made the team successful on the ice but off the ice as well. The healthy culture has been restored, and this team is all in on each other and their goals.

Why Remove the “Interim” Tag

Brandon Naurato has exceeded any and all expectations as interim head coach. He helped this team achieve what many thought was impossible.

The team loves him, and he loves the team; what better culture can you ask for? He is a fantastic coach, a great recruiter and a players’ coach. The Michigan hockey program is in its best position for the future.

He knows this team and knows the players as he was an assistant prior. Brandon Naurato is undoubtedly the best fit to coach this team. Now it is all in the athletic department’s hands. The best choice to run this team is Coach Naurato. Now, they will need to sign him for the years to come.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Michigan hockey named No. 1 seed in NCAA tournament

Could this be the year?

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Michigan forward Rutger McGroarty (2) skates with the puck during the Michigan-Notre Dame NCAA hockey game on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan Vs Notre Dame

Michigan Hockey is Big Ten Champions yet again, and they are onto the NCAA Tournament. For the second year in a row, the Michigan Wolverines beat the top-seeded Minnesota Gophers in a sold-out 3M Arena at Mariucci. The final score was 4-3, which was the same score as last year’s championship game.

With two goals in nearly 30 seconds from Freshman Rutger McGroarty, the momentum boosted within the Michigan hockey squad. From there on out, Michigan never let off the gas. 

This Michigan team wanted it more. That desire and want to win the Big Ten trophy again paid off. And now the Michigan Wolverines are back-to-back Big Ten Champions.

Still, the season is far from over, and the Wolverines still have one more goal to achieve. In the post-game press conference, Freshman Rutger McGroarty commented about the team’s future goals. McGroarty said, “The Big Ten is awesome, but we still got another tournament to win.

NCAA Tournament Berth

Selection Sunday for the NCAA Ice Hockey Tournament was a good one for the Wolverines. Michigan hockey was named the tournament’s No. 1 seed in the Allentown region.

The other No. 1 seeds are Minnesota, with the No. 1 overall seed, Quinnipiac, and the reigning national champions, Denver. As the third No. 1 seed in the tournament, the Wolverines may have one of the best chances to make it to the Frozen Four.

The Road to the Frozen Four

The NCAA Tournament is almost here, and the first games begin this weekend. In the Allentown region with Michigan, there are teams from two other conferences, along with another Big Ten representative. 

Michigan’s first matchup will be against the Colgate Raiders from the ECAC. Colgate is 19-15-5 overall. Colgate has pulled off multiple upsets this season against No. 2 ranked Quinnipiac and the No. 6 ranked Harvard in the ECAC tournament.

Meanwhile, the other two teams are the Penn State Nittany Lions from the Big Ten and the Michigan Tech Huskies from the CCHA. Penn State is 21-15-1 overall, and the Huskies are 24-10-4.

While Michigan must beat Colgate first, all three teams are beatable. If Michigan hockey plays as they did during the Big Ten Tournament, they should have no problem making it to the Frozen Four of the NCAA Tournament.

Revenge Tour

After a soul-crushing overtime loss against Denver last season in the Frozen Four, this team will do everything possible to ensure that does not happen again. It will not be easy to get there; however, this team has a lot of fight left in them. If anyone can win the national championship, it is this Michigan hockey team.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple PodcastsSpotify, and all other steaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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