Michigan
Northwestern
Bruh Times Two Equals Blue Win Against Northwestern
10/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team earned its 10th win of the season today (Friday, Oct. 17) as the Wolverines defeated Big Ten Conference opponent Northwestern 2-1 at the U-M Soccer Field behind the strength of Adam Bruh's (Roselyn Heights, N.Y./Wheatley HS) first two career goals. Bruh netted both of his tallies in the first half, with junior midfielder Knox Cameron (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman HS) earning an assist on each goal.
Bruh ended the stalemate with 20 minutes remaining in the first half when he scored his first career goal after receiving a pass from Cameron. Cameron fed Bruh at the top of the arc after picking off a clearing attempt by a Northwestern defender. Bruh proceeded to split two defenders and slot the ball to the left of onrushing Northwestern goalkeeper Ryan Heckenbach.
Bruh and Cameron nearly hooked up for a second goal with only six minutes remaining in the first half. The play began when Bruh served a corner kick into a streaking Cameron at the left corner of the six-yard box. Cameron managed to get his head on the ball and sent it just past the upper left corner of the Northwestern net.
Northwestern (5-5-4, 0-3-1 Big Ten) evened the score with two minutes remaining in the half when Wildcat midfielder Brad North walked in alone on Wolverine goalkeeper Peter Dzubay (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview HS) and tucked the ball into the left corner. The play started when North received a pass from Wildcat defender Brad Napper at the top of the box and went around Wolverine defender Michael O'Reilly (Spring, Texas/Klein HS) and in on Dzubay. North's goal came against the flow of play, as the Wolverines dominated possession throughout the last 30 minutes of the half.
The Wolverines (10-4, 2-1 Big Ten) regained the lead with only 37 seconds remaining in the half when Bruh netted the eventual game-winner at 44:23. For the second time Cameron managed to find an open Bruh at the top of the box and Bruh beat Heckenbach with a deflected shot low to the right side. Jeff Mirmelstein (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawerence Central HS) was also awarded an assist.
With his back to the goal, Cameron slotted the ball to a streaking a Bruh, who let loose a shot to the left corner. As the ball traveled to the goal, it deflected off a Wildcat defender and ricocheted just inside the right post for a 2-1 Michigan advantage.
Throughout the first 20 minutes of the second half the Michigan midfield and defense settled in and maintained possession in the middle third of the field. Neither team was able to establish a steady attack, as both the Wolverines and Wildcats committed a number of fouls.
As the second half continued, the Wildcat midfield seemed to wear down the Wolverines and manufacture a number of good scoring opportunities on the Wolverine net. Despite heavy pressure, Dzubay and the Michigan defense held strong and kept the Wildcats from evening the score.
The Maize and Blue resume Big Ten play when they take on the Wisconsin Badgers Sunday (Oct. 19) at 2 p.m. on the U-M Soccer Field.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Northwestern | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Michigan | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Adam Bruh, 23:33 (Knox Cameron)
1st -- NU, Brad North, 42:45 (Gerardo Alvarez, Kyle Moore)
1st -- U-M, Bruh, 42:23 (Cameron, Jeff Mirmelstein)
Shots: U-M 12, NU 8
Saves: U-M 1 (Peter Dzubay), NU 3 (Ryan Heckenbach)
Corner Kicks: U-M 3, NU 2
Fouls: U-M 21, NU 8
Cards: U-M, Ryan Sterba, 75:23 (yellow).
N O T E S The victory improves Michigan's record to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. It marks the fastest the Wolverines have reached the 10-win pleateau (14 games). It took U-M 18 games to win game number 10 last year, as the Mazie and Blue finished with a record of 11-7-2. Jeff Mirmelstein increased his points streak to three games, as the junior now has an assist in his last three matches. Heading into today's game, Adam Bruh had dished out 17 career assists, with seven going to Knox Cameron. However, the roles were reversed today, as Cameron aided Bruh to his first two collegiate goals. Knox Cameron tied Mychal Turpin (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS) for the team lead with 23 points in 2003. Through 14 games Cameron has seven goals and nine assists, while Turpin has 11 goals and one assist.
Contact: Gene Skidmore (734) 763-4423
