Michigan
11-8-4
Indiana
15-4-1
Late Indiana Goal Eliminates U-M from NCAA Tourney
11/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team lost a 1-0 decision to No. 2 seed Indiana tonight (Tuesday, Nov. 23) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. U-M was tied with the Hoosiers until the final five minutes of the game when Kevin Robson scored the game-winner for Indiana at 86:10. Despite holding the advantage in both shots and corners, the Wolverines were unable to score the equalizer to send the game into overtime.
The Wolverines controlled the play throughout the majority of the first half, holding Indiana without a shot on goal in the period. Michigan created the first scoring chance around the 30th minute. After the Wolverines drew a foul on IU, Knox Cameron (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman HS) fired a ball toward the Hoosier net from 35 yards out. However, Indiana goalkeeper Jay Nolly was there to make the diving save the keep the score tied at 0-0.
About five minutes later, Michigan circulated the ball into Indiana's back third, finding Jeff Mirmelstein (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central HS) at the top of the penalty box on the left side of the net. Mirmelstein touched the ball of the inside of his right foot, finding Mychal Turpin (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS) 14 yards in front of the IU goal. Turpin sent a low ball toward the goal, but again Nolly was there to make the stop.
The play slowed at the start of the second half, but the Wolverines quickly created another scoring opportunity in the 72nd minute. After clearing the ball down the left sideline, Michigan quickly found Turpin on the right side near the midfield line on the counterattack. Turpin beat IU defender Drew Moor down the sideline, creating a one-on-one with Nolly. Turpin then attempted to slip the ball under Nolly but the Hoosier goalkeeper was there for the stop, resulting in a corner for Michigan. On the ensuing play, Indiana cleared the ball and the score remained 0-0.
With less than five minutes to play, Indiana began to build its attack in the Michigan half of the field. After advancing the ball down the left side, IU reversed the ball to the right side of the Michigan penalty box. Robson beat his defender and found a seam to fire a shot. Michigan goalkeeper Peter Dzubay (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview HS) went down and got a piece of the ball, but it skipped under his body and rolled across the line. The Wolverines were unable to score the equalizer in the final three minutes, closing out the game.
With the loss, Michigan is eliminated from the tournament and finishes the season with an 11-8-4 overall record.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Indiana | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- IU, Kevin Robson, 86:10 (Brian Plotkin)
Shots: U-M 9, IU 8
Saves: U-M 2 (Peter Dzubay), IU 3 (Jay Nolly)
Corner Kicks: U-M 5, IU 3
Fouls: U-M 20, IU 15
Cards: U-M, Craig VandeVusse, 30:43 (yellow); IU, Brian Plotkin, 39:34 (yellow); IU, Jacob Peterson, 77:16 (yellow)
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the game ... "I have never been as pleased with this team even though the season is over. It wasn't the case that Michigan lost the game as much as we just ran out of time. The team had a great performance tonight. They went toe to toe with the NCAA champion from last season. Statistically we were ahead in every area except for the final score. I am very proud of the performance and the heart and desire displayed by our team. It was just a great night of college soccer and I think the future of the Michigan program is very bright."
On the ups and downs the team has faced over the season ... "When you look at the ups and downs this team faced, you see they kept a level head through it all. I think you are seeing the next level of maturity and the next evolution of this program. This team has learned how to win close games even when we are not turning in a perfect performance. This season we have taken that next step to handle the ups and downs and still give strong performances night in and night out."
On the season ... "I am really pleased with the season. We have a special group of seniors that we will have to say goodbye to. They have meant a lot to the program, especially Matt Niemeyer and Joe Zawacki, who have been here since the beginning. I think the future is very bright, but we have to pay our respects to the seniors who have put a lot of work in to get us to where we are."
N O T E S
With the loss, Michigan is now 2-2-1 in NCAA Tournament games.
The loss drops Michigan's record to 0-7 all-time against Indiana.
Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Robson, Kevin (1)
Assisted By: Plotkin, Brian
cut back, went near post past keeper on
86:10
