U-M Takes No. 2 Penn State to OT in League Opener

Saturday, September 23

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

3-3, 0-1Big Ten

Penn State

7-0, 1-0Big Ten

OT 1

Penn State

Michigan

9/23/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Steve Grialou

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Elbel Field)
Score: #2 Penn State 2, Michigan 1 (OT)
Records: U-M (3-3, 0-1 Big Ten), PSU (7-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Next U-M Match: Thursday, Sept. 28 -- at Bowling Green (Bowling Green, Ohio), 5 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team fell 2-1 in overtime to No. 2-ranked Penn State on Saturday (Sept. 23) at Elbel Field in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams. The Wolverines once again battled back in the rain and mud, after trailing 1-0 at halftime.

Michigan's defensive scheme frustrated the Nittany Lions (7-0, 1-0 Big Ten) most of the game with its high pressure in the backfield. Senior Pete Shellenberger put Penn State on the board first from 20 yards out on a crossing shot into the left corner of the goal 29:38 into the game.

Penn State's offense controlled the ball for most of the half, limiting scoring opportunities for Michigan, but the Wolverines (3-3, 0-1 Big Ten) did have some chances in close range off of a couple of corner kicks and crossing passes in front of the goal. The score remained 1-0 heading into halftime.

The rain and thunder greeted them as the players took the field for the second half. Used to the conditions, Michigan took advantage of the sloppy field and attacked continuously on Penn State's defense. With the Nittany Lions' sluggish start in the second half, Michigan took over the momentum of the game with the added home crowd support. At the 67:10 mark, freshman Kevin Robinson (Caro, Mich./Faith Baptist HS) gave the Michigan faithful something to cheer about as he took a crossing pass from fellow freshman Kevin Taylor (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) and put the ball into the left corner from 15 yards out to tie the game 1-1.

The Wolverines maintained their physical play for the rest of the game, tallying up 35 fouls for the match. However, it was that toughness that kept the game tied at the end of regulation.

The two teams battled back and forth in overtime, with six shots combined during the extra period, until Penn State junior Derek Potteiger ended the game with a header of a crossing pass from 10 yards out for the 2-1 victory.

The Wolverines head to Bowling Green, Ohio, for a match with Bowling Green on Thursday (Sept. 28) at 5 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	OT	F
Penn State	1	0	1	2
Michigan	0	1	0	1

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- PSU, Pete Shellenberger, 29:38 (Derek Potteiger)
2nd -- U-M, Kevin Robinson, 67:10 (Kevin Taylor)
OT -- PSU, Potteiger, 102:58 (Matt Leahy)

Shots: U-M 4, PSU 13
Saves: U-M 3 (Albert Geldres), PSU 0 (Ryan Sickman)
Corner Kicks: U-M 2, PSU 9
Fouls: U-M 35, PSU 15
Cards: U-M, Kevin Taylor, 9:40 (yellow); U-M, Brian Peters, 37:45 (yellow); U-M, Robert Turpin, 88:28 (yellow)

NOTES

• Junior Brian Peters (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) made his first career start.

• The 35 fouls for the Maize and Blue is a season high.

• Kevin Robinson's goal was his second of the season.

• Michigan's goal was just the third allowed by the Nittany Lions in eight games this season. PSU had outscored its foes 16-2 before today's contest.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the team's performance ... "It was definitely our grittiest performance. We saw every fiber of our team with the effort we gave. It was a great step for us."

On expectations going into the game ... "It will be good to put this game into perspective once we get off the field. We built this game up that we would play well. But our expectations were not to think that we would take [Penn State] into overtime. I am very pleased of our team."