Sterba Pushes Wolverines Past Akron in NCAA Opener

Friday, November 19

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

11-7-4

Akron

13-5-3

Akron

Michigan

11/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In muddy conditions, the University of Michigan men's soccer team notched a 2-1 victory over Akron today (Friday, Nov. 19) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The score was knotted at 1-1 at the half, but a goal from Ryan Sterba (Westlake, Ohio/St. Ignatius HS) -- the first of his U-M career -- at 58:50 proved to be the game-winner for Michigan. In net for the Wolverines, Peter Dzubay (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview HS) tied a season high with eight saves, including one with less than 30 seconds to play.

Sterba's first college career goal came in his 61st game.

The Wolverines struck first with a goal by Trai Blanks (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) at 9:23. Knox Cameron (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) carried the ball to the top of the Akron penalty box and fired a shot that was deflected wide and off the left post. The ball caromed back across the net on the right side to Blanks, who sent it to the back of the net for the goal.

Akron answered quickly with a goal at 15:47 by Hans Jorgen Haugland. After U-M defender Chris Glinski (Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS) slipped on the play, Akron's Ross McKenzie found Haugland in the box for the pass. Haugland sent the ball to the lower left corner, making the score 1-1.

The Zips continued their aggressive play, nearly scoring two more goals in the opening period. In the 22nd minute, McKenzie received a pass in the Michigan box, but his wide-open shot was saved by Dzubay. Then with less than two minutes to play in the half, the Zips fired a point-blank shot off a corner kick. Dzubay was there again for the save and the game was tied 1-1 at the half.

In the second half, the Wolverines quickly took the lead with Sterba's goal at 58:50. Blanks received the clearing pass in the Michigan end at the right sideline and beat two defenders to the midfield stripe before hitting Bruh in the middle of the field. Bruh then threaded a pass through the Akron defense, hitting Sterba in-stride on the left side. Sterba carried the ball for a few yards before firing a shot across the net and into the lower right corner for the 2-1 lead.

At time wound down in the game, Akron began to press for the equalizer. In the 83rd minute, the Wolverines failed to clear an Akron corner, leaving an open net for Jeremy Field. His header, however, sailed over the net and out of play.

Then in the final minute, Akron's Cameron Knowles sent a shot from the top of the box that Dzubay just got a hand on to deflect toward the left post. Blanks was standing at the post to ensure the ball did not bounce into the net, sealing the win for Michigan.

The Wolverines (11-7-4) advance to face No. 2 seed Indiana on Tuesday (Nov. 23) in Bloomington, Ind. Akron is eliminated and finishes the year with a 13-5-3 overall record.

GAME SUMMARY

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

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Trai Blanks, 9:23 (Knox Cameron)
1st -- UA, Hans Jorgen Haugland, 15:47 (Ross McKenzie)
2nd -- U-M, Ryan Sterba, 58:50 (Adam Bruh, Blanks)

Shots: U-M 11, UA 21
Saves: U-M 8 (Peter Dzubay), UA 5 (Justin Christafaris)
Corner Kicks: U-M 7, UA 4
Fouls: U-M 13, UA 20
Cards: U-M, Matt Niemeyer, 47:53 (yellow); UA, Ross McKenzie, 73:50 (yellow).

Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423