U-M Tumbles at Akron in First Game as Ranked Squad

Friday, October 24

Akron, Ohio

7:30 PM

Michigan

11-5-0

Akron

11-4-1

Michigan

Akron

10/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Gene Skidmore

Site: Akron, Ohio (Lee Jackson Field)
Score: Akron 2, #11 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (11-5), Akron (11-4-1)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Oct. 26 -- at Penn State (State College, Pa.), 2 p.m.

AKRON, Ohio -- In its first outing carrying its new No. 11 national ranking, the University of Michigan men's soccer team received a goal from senior tri-captain Mike White (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS), but it was not enough as the Wolverines fell 2-1 at Akron Friday night (Oct. 24) on the Lee Jackson Field. The loss snapped a four-game U-M win streak.

In front of 642 fans on a clear and cold Ohio evening, Michigan (11-5, 3-1 Big Ten) was unable to muster quality scoring chances, as the Zips held the Wolverines to only nine shots. On the other side of the field, Akron took 22 shots, eight on goal.

Alex Odwell of Akron cracked the scoreboard first when he lofted a 30-yard kick over Michigan sophomore goalkeeper Peter Dzubay (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview HS) at the 5:57 mark of the first half.

The Wolverines responed at 19:55 when Adam Bruh (Roslyn Heights, N.Y./Wheatley HS) sent a corner kick to the head of White. White was able to get a clean head on the ball, sending to the back of the net for his 20th career goal and knotting the game at 1-1.

The score remained tied at 1-1 following the first 45 minutes of play. At the half, the Zips had a 12-4 edge in shots, with U-M taking only the one shot on goal.

Kirk Harwat gave the Zips the game-winner just over 10 minutes into the second half, when he sent a roller past Dzubay at 55:26 for a 2-1 Akron lead. Odwell and Ross McKenzie were credited with assists as they set up Harwat for the five-yard goal.

Though Michigan was able to produce four shots on goal in the second stanza, but none found the back of net.

Michigan returns to action Sunday (Oct. 26), when it faces 2002 Big Ten Conference Tournament champion Penn State in State College, Pa. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Jeffrey Field. Penn State holds a 5-0 advantage in the all-time series.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Michigan	1	0	1
Akron	1	1	2

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- UA, Alex Odwell, 5:57 (Will Kletzien)
1st -- U-M, Mike White, 19:55 (Adam Bruh)
2nd -- UA, Kirk Harwat, 55:26 (Odwell, Ross McKenzie)

Shots: U-M 9, UA 22
Saves: U-M 6 (Peter Dzubay 6), UA 4 (Justin Christafaris 3, Team 1)
Corner Kicks: U-M 3, UA 9
Fouls: U-M 6, UA 10
Cards: U-M, Jeff Mirmelstein, 24:04 (yellow); UA, Pat Beattie, 19:55 (yellow); U-M, Ryan Sterba, 83:54 (yellow).

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the game ... "Akron is a really good team, there is not doubt about that. They were extremely ready to play us tonight. They had us on our heels for the first 20 minutes of the match. They went up 1-0 in the sixth minute, but we got quite of bit of the momentum back when Mike White scored on a corner kick on a service from Bruh 20 minutes in.

"They went into a shell defense in the final bit of play and it seemed like time just ran out on us. We were all over them at the end of the game and I thought we were going to get that equalizer, but we just couldn't get the ball into the net. I am pleased with our effort, but we need to be a smarter team against Penn State on Sunday.