Wolverines Allow Akron Zip in Non-Conference Shutout

Friday, October 29

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

9-5-2

Akron

10-4-3

Akron

Michigan

10/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team earned a 4-0 shutout victory today (Friday, Oct. 29) against Akron at the U-M Soccer Field. Michigan scored all four of its goals in the first half, including a pair of goals by Adam Bruh (Roslyn Heights, N.Y./Wheatly HS). Mychal Turpin (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS) also had a solid game for the Wolverines, contributing a goal and an assist. Defensively, Michigan held the Zips to 12 shots with just three on goal.

The Wolverines took the early lead with Bruh's first goal of the game at 6:48. After Trai Blanks (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) beat the Akron defense down the right side of the field he dumped the ball off to Bruh at the top of the penalty box in the middle of the field. Bruh then turned, beating his defender, and fired a shot to the lower left corner for the goal.

About 10 minutes later, Michigan struck again with a goal by Blanks at 16:14. After a shot by Turpin was blocked by the Arkon defense, the ball bounced up and back to the left of the Zips goal. Blanks ran onto the ball and flicked a shot over Akron goalkeeper Justin Christafaris to the far right corner to give U-M a 2-0 lead.

The Wolverines continued to attack the Zips, scoring their third goal at 21:57. Following an Akron corner kick, Michigan cleared the ball to Turpin down the right sideline. Turpin then made a 90-yard run with the ball, beating the Akron defense down the sideline. After rounding the last man, Turpin fired a shot just inside the near post to give Michigan a three-goal cushion.

Just under eight minutes later, Bruh scored his second goal of the match off a restart at 30:04. Following an Akron foul on Turpin, Michigan was awarded a direct kick from about 25 yards out. Bruh sent his shot over the wall and across the net to the right side of the goal.

The scoring slowed in the second half as the Wolverines looked to possess the ball. Michigan created a number of scoring chances, but every time the shot sailed wide. Akron's most dangerous chance of the game came on a restart with just over five minutes to play. The Zips sent a low shot just wide of the Michigan wall, but goalkeeper Ryan Bennett (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) was there to make the first save of his career. The Wolverines were able to run out the clock for the remainder of the game to seal the win.

Michigan (9-5-2, 1-3-0 Big Ten) will return to the pitch on Sunday (Oct. 31) at 2 p.m. for a Big Ten match against No. 19-ranked Penn State. The game will take place at the U-M Soccer Field.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Akron	0	0	0
Michigan	4	0	4

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Adam Bruh, 6:48 (Trai Blanks)
1st -- U-M, Trai Blanks, 16:14 (Mychal Turpin)
1st -- U-M, Mychal Turpin, 21:57 (Unassisted)
1st -- U-M Adam Bruh, 30:04 (Unassisted)

Shots: U-M 19, UA 12
Saves: U-M 3 (Peter Dzubay 1, Ryan Bennett 2), UA 3 (Justin Christafaris)
Corner Kicks: U-M 1, UA 6
Fouls: U-M 11, UA 14
Cards: UA, Matt Augustin, 82:25 (yellow).

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On if the team played its most complete game ... "Yeah, it was. We were waiting for that game. We felt like we were getting closer and closer to having one of those games where you are creating chances and you are finishing chances early. That is really the difference in the game, the fact we were able to finish our chances early. Suddenly it was 4-0 at the half and it was easy the rest of the way. Akron is a good team that will be in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid as they get ready for their MAC Tournament"

On Adam Bruh emerging over the past few games ... "I think any time a player steps up on the field, there is also an off-the-field component to it. I am hoping that both phases are coming together for him and the result is what you see on the field. He is putting a lot of extra work into his game. He is taking extra free kicks and repetitions with finishing balls in front of the face of the goal and its paying off for him. It is great when you see a player put all that work in and then it is rewarded in terms of overall performance. It is just a self-fulfilling prophesy like that that keeps things going for him. I hope he keeps it going."

On the importance of the win in terms of momentum ... "It is very important. Every win against a quality opponent is important for us. Looking ahead, we have a very strong team in Penn State coming in and this team's backs are up against the wall and they are fighting that way. They are putting the games together to hopefully show people in the region that we are a team deserving of an NCAA Tournament bid when all is said and done."

N O T E S

Michigan's four goals match its best offensive output of the season. The Wolverines also scored four goals vs. Bowling Green (Sept. 17).

Michigan notched its sixth shutout win of the season.

Adam Bruh set a career high with his two goals today. He also set a career best with his fourth goal of the season, surpassing his three goals in 2003.

With his two goals today, Adam Bruh has registered at least one point in four straight games.

Ryan Bennett made his first save as a Wolverine today and finished the game with a pair of stops.

Freshman Michael Parke made his first career start today.

Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423