Olowolafe Scores Winner as U-M Slips by Northwestern

Sunday, September 25

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

6-2-0

Northwestern

4-2-1

Northwestern

Michigan

9/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Joseph Conrad

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Score: Michigan 1, Northwestern 0
Records: U-M (6-2-0, 1-0-0 Big Ten), Northwestern (4-3-0, 0-1-0 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, Sept. 29 -- at Dayton (Dayton, Ohio), 7:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team's Big Ten Conference opener ended with a 1-0 triumph over Northwestern on Sunday (Sept. 25) on the U-M Soccer Field.

Sophomore Tolu Olowolafe (Bear, Del./Glasglow) scored his first goal of the season when he scored the game-winning goal against Northwestern with 1:07 left in the game. The goal was assisted by freshman Jake Stacy (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central), when Stacey skipped the ball across the field to a dashing Olowolafe on the right wing, Northwestern goalie Will Briley came out into the goal area to make a play on the ball, he then slipped, giving Olowolafe an empty-netter.

Statistically, both teams were evenly matched in every aspect of the game, except for fouls, where U-M had 11 more than Northwestern. Both teams took only nine shots in the game, with each team only taking five shots in the first half. Northwestern was the only team to take any shots on goal until Olowolafe scored the game-winning goal. With just 5:01 left in the first half, the game was postponed 40 minute due to storm warnings.

Senior Peter Dzubay (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview) ended the game with two saves, with only two shots on goal against him. Dzubay's two saves are the second fewest in a game for the season, and third fewest for a game performance in Michigan history. Dzubay also won his fifth game of the year via shutout, which ties his Michigan record for shutouts in a season.

The Wolverines will travel to Dayton, Ohio, to take on the Dayton Flyers on Thursday (Sept. 29) at 7:30 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Northwestern	0	0	0
Michigan	0	1	1

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- U-M, Tolu Olowolafe, 88:53 (Jake Stacy)

Shots: U-M 9, NU 9
Saves: U-M 2 (Peter Dzubay), NU 0
Corner Kicks: U-M 4, NU 4
Fouls: U-M 12, NU 23
Cards: U-M, Chase Tennant, 29:41 (yellow); NU, Adam Sirois, 85:34 (yellow)

NOTES

• Senior Ryan Sterba played in his 70th career game, tying for third with Kevin Taylor (2000-03) in Michigan history for games played.

• Senior Peter Dzubay had two saves, second fewest in season, and third fewest in career.

• Dzubay recorded his fifth shutout of the season, tying his 2003 and 2004 U-M season record. His two saves give him 246 career saves and 21 on the season.

• Dzubay earned his sixth win of the season and 34th of his career.

• Sophomore Tolu Olowolafe scored his first goal of the season at 88:53. Olowolafe has two career goals, and both are game-winners.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the game ... "This was unfortunately a game based on the conditions, that was probably going to be capitalized on by someone's mistake. Luckily we held tight, found that mistake and Tolu Olowolafe capitalized on it."

On the 40-minute rain delay ... "It takes a lot of the air out of the game. But I think we did a good job -- being at home, being in a comfortable environment, that we got it going real quick, and the bench adds a lot of energy for us, just in terms of what they do, adding inspiration to guys on the field, but also the guys coming off the bench and picking up the level of play, so I give a real credit to our bench in getting this win today."

On the victory for the seniors ... "We've got five guys that have been through a lot, and their record against Northwestern is 3-3, and they were the ones that said 'I want to go out against this team with the advantage,' so we really challenged our underclassmen to play for those guys who have done so much to pull this team together, and so much in terms of their leadership, and it was done."

On the importance of opening Big Ten season with a victory ... "It's very important. Each win is so precious, and our team looks at that in terms of what the goals are for the season, knowing that we just have to continue taking it one Big Ten game at a time, and today was just our day."