Coming off two losses in its previous exhibition games, the Michigan women’s soccer team played as if those defeats were still weighing on its back, not making many significant moves as it played from behind against Villanova for most of the season-opening match.

A late-game spark pushed the Wolverines (1-0) ahead of the Wildcats (0-1), and Michigan officially started its season on a high note with a 2-1 victory.

Play was even for the first half — there were a mix of wide shots, yellow cards and hydration breaks. Michigan pushed early and had its first shot on goal around the fourth minute when freshman midfielder Maya Raghunandanan ran down the sideline uncontested, cutting in around the 18-yard line to take a shot that reflected off the Wildcats’ goalie. Villanova had its first real

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