Michigan
Akron (ex)
Turpin, White Spark U-M Exhibition Victory
8/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Score: Michigan 4, Akron 1 (exhibition)
Next U-M Event: Monday, Aug. 26 -- at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 7 p.m. EST/CDT
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team opened its 2002 exhibition season with an impressive 4-1 victory behind Mychal Turpin's (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit) five-point effort Saturday (Aug. 24) on the U-M Soccer Field.
Turpin tallied the Wolverines' first goal of the exhibition season when he accepted a Mike White (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) lead pass and beat an Akron defender along the left sideline. As Turpin entered the 18-yard box he sent a low cross to the right of Dan Pinho beating the goalkeeper at 8:15 for an early 1-0 Michigan lead.
Akron pulled even with the Maize and Blue at the 28:45 mark as Todd Huntington found a streaking Ross McKenzie behind the Wolverine defenders. McKenzie made the most of the open space and beat a charging Joe Zawacki (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) with a low ball to the back left corner of the net.
It was the only goal for the Zips, as Zawacki turned away the three straight Akron scoring opportunities, en route to four saves in 90:00 minutes of action.
Michigan took the lead for good with time winding down in the first half. With only 21 seconds left in the half, freshman Adam Bruh (Roselyn Heights, N.Y./Wheatley HS) took the Wolverine free kick and sent it over the top of the Akron wall and past the outstretched hands of Pinho, for a 2-1 U-M halftime lead.
Michigan took a two-goal lead behind the foot of Kevin Robinson (Caro, Mich./Faith Baptist HS) at 82:41 of the second half. With Turpin attaining position following a steal, Robinson broke down the right sideline. Turpin and Robinson were on a two on one and as they entered the 18-yard box, Turpin sent a cross to Robinson, beating Akron's second goalkeeper Justin Christafaris.
Less than a minute later, White found Turpin for the second time in the match. Following a White lead pass, Turpin he ricocheted a shot off Christafaris from 18-yards out, which found the back of the net.
Michigan ends its preseason competition as the Wolverines head to South Bend, Ind. for a 7 p.m. EST/CDT match with the Fighting Irish, Monday (Aug. 26).
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Akron | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Mychal Turpin, 8:15 (Mike White)
1st -- Akron, Ross McKenzie, 28:45 (Todd Huntington)
1st -- U-M, Adam Bruh, 44:39 (Unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Kevin Robinson, 82:41 (Mychal Turpin)
2nd -- U-M, Mychal Turpin, 83:30 (Mike White)
Shots: U-M 11, Akron 17
Saves: U-M 4 (Joe Zawacki 4), Akron 3 (Dan Pineho 1, Justin Christafaris 2)
Corner Kicks: U-M 2, Akron 5
Fouls: U-M 17, Akron 19
Cards: Akron, Alex Otwell, 50:10 (yellow); U-M, Karl Lopata, 78:43 (yellow); U-M, Robert Turpin, 84:19 (yellow)
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Steve Burns
On today's match ... "I was pleased with our effort today. Our team depth is going to be a key factor for us all year. We were able to have seven subs come off the bench and contribute to our team effort."
On the team ... "This is a team that knows and understands the key concepts, which allows us to work on the smaller points of the game."
