Conqu’ring Heroes: Klein, Team 29 Working to Find, Promote Team Identity

Conqu’ring Heroes: Klein, Team 29 Working to Find, Promote Team Identity

By Mishal Charania

“We want to have that wolverine attitude,” said women’s soccer head coach Jennifer Klein on Team 29.

The University of Michigan women’s soccer team produced one of the best seasons in the history of the program in 2021. They were the Big Ten champions, appeared in the NCAA quarterfinals and had an overall record of 18-4-3, one of the best in the program’s history. This season, Klein has made it clear that the Wolverines are not the same team they were in 2021 and are now working to define what it means to be Team 29.

“Coming into the season, we wanted to use our non-conference play to figure out who this team is and we challenge them every day and every game to get one percent better and not to fear adversity or losses at this moment, because we need those for us in our preparation for Big Ten play,” said Klein on Thursday’s (Sept. 15) edition of the Conqu’ring Heroes podcast.

Team identity is a priority not only for the coaching staff but especially for the players. Prior to the Michigan football game against Hawai’i this past Saturday (Sept. 10), the women’s soccer team held a tailgate and ring ceremony in commemoration of last year’s accomplishments. Alumni, current players and incoming players — among many others — came to honor Team 28.

“For (the incoming players) to see the work that it takes, if you do what your team is capable of doing, this is what you can accomplish,” Klein said. “It is great to be able to share that moment with them; it’s a little bit of motivation for them.”

There are many standout players on the women’s soccer team, but this year the returning players have taken it upon themselves to take leadership of the team. Graduate students Meredith Haakenson and Izzy Nino along with seniors Lily Farkas and Jayde Riviere, junior Sammi Woods and sophomore Avery Kalitta all have played a major role in helping shape the identity of this season’s squad.

Riviere, a team co-captain with Haakenson, has specifically had to learn her new leadership role with the team as she is out this season due to injury. She has paved her own way as a captain and is known as a silent leader because of how she forms relationships.

“It’s her enthusiasm, how she interacts with people, the connections that she’s made, her presence at practice and on the sideline;…