2006 SOM vs. Penn State -- Notes & Quotes
10/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
N O T E S
With its 1-0 victory over Penn State, the Maize and Blue snapped a nine-game winless streak. Michigan also earned its second all-time win over Penn State, making the series' record 2-6-1. The Wolverines also won their third game of the year that has been decided by one goal.
Senior tri-captain Kevin Halls second marker of the year came at the 56:06 point, giving him his first game-winning goal of the year.
Senior tri-captain Brian Popeney made his first start of the season.
Halls game-winning goal broke a four-game scoring drought for the Maize and Blue.
Sophomore/freshman Patrick Sperry earned his fourth shutout of the year, tying for the most shutouts by a Wolverine goalkeeper in his debut season. Joe Zawacki (2000-04) and Peter Dzubay (2002-05) accomplished the feat in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The four shutouts also tie for third on the U-M all-time list with Zawacki and Dzubay. Michigan earns its fifth shutout for the second straight year.
With six saves tonight, Sperry increased his freshman saves record to 70. Sperry is now two saves away from Dzubays 2005 total, which ranks second on the U-M all-time season saves list.
The Wolverines tallied their first win of the Big Ten season, finishing 1-2-3 in conference play. The Maize and Blue have had two other seasons with one conference win, 2000 and 2004. With tonights win, Michigan earns the most points (6) in the Big Ten out of the previous one-win conference records.
Michigans 15 shots increased its season shot total to 306, tying for the highest amount of shots taken in one season in program-history (2003).
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the team's emotions after the win ... "Theres no substitute for a good soccer victory on how it brings the team together and puts a smile on everyones face. We left the field smiling tonight, it was really our night. Penn State is a good solid team, but we seemed to be catching a couple of breaks."
On the senior class leaving with a win ... "Were real happy for that senior class. That senior class more than anything has brought enthusiasm to our program. This is a group of guys that started out without a lot of playing time and earned everything that theyve got. All the while they kept the enthusiasm high; theyre passionate about the soccer program. We love them for that because theyve raised everybodys level."
On what the team needs to do to get a win in the Big Ten Championships ... "Play with smiles on their faces. They all have that smile right now, well let them enjoy it for the next 12 hours or so, and get some practice in tomorrow to keep them focused on how we did tonight and for the strong opponent that well have in the Big Tens."
U-M Senior Tri-Captain Kevin Hall
On his emotions immediately after the game ... "Mostly relief right now, finally getting a Big Ten win. We were in slump for a while, goals were hard to come by and we finally got one tonight and we got a shutout in these conditions. Im just really happy right now."
On thoughts heading into his final home match ... "The whole team was motivated, not just the senior class because its family night. There were a lot of emotions with all of that, and everyone was motivated to play for a win."
On what can be taken from the win heading into the Big Ten Championships ... "We played with a lot of heart tonight and we left it all on the field."
