Fuzetti Nets Two as U-M Shuts Out Rutgers in Opener

Friday, August 31

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

1-0

Rutgers

0-1

Rutgers

Michigan

8/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Stacey Schwartz

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Event: Michigan/Oakland Challenge
Score: Michigan 3, Rutgers 0
Records: U-M (1-0), Rutgers (0-1)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 2 -- vs. Hofstra at Michigan/Oakland Challenge (U-M Soccer Field), 2:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore forward Mauro Fuzetti (Houston, Texas/Stratford) scored the first of two goals at the 1:25 mark, giving the University of Michigan men's soccer team the quick start it needed to defeat Rutgers, 3-0, Friday (Aug. 31) at Michigan's season opener on the U-M Soccer Field.

Junior forward Santos Perez (Troy, Mich./Athens) assisted on Fuzetti's initial goal with a cross pass to the right post, which Fuzetti knocked into the far corner. The Wolverines captured the early momentum and never let go. The rest of the first half saw several battles for possession between the two teams, but Michigan maintained control of the game, keeping the ball out of the defensive third for a majority of the game.

Rutgers had a golden opportunity in the first half with a shot on goal, but junior defender Michael Holody (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) dashed into the net and made an incredible block, leaping up in the air and stopping the ball with his head.

The second half began with Rutgers controlling the ball during the first 10 minutes. However, at 62 minutes, Holody slid the ball to Fuzetti from 40 yards out and -- dodging the oncoming Rutgers defenders -- Fuzetti booted a solid shot into the left side of the goal for his second score of the game.

Despite the score, the Scarlet Knights continued to play a physical game. After dusting off a few collisions with Rutgers players, sophomore forward Peri Marosevic (Rockford, Ill./Edison) got in on the offensive action. At 64:28, junior forward Steve Bonnell (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Detroit Country Day) kicked a hard shot, which was saved by the leaping Rutgers goalkeeper. Marosevic gained control of the rebounded ball and punched it in to earn his first goal of the year. The well-played ball gave Marosevic his first tally since Sept. 24, 2006, against Oakland.

Junior/sophomore Patrick Sperry (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) minded the Michigan net for the entire 90 minutes. U-M finished the game with 11 shots to Rutgers' three shots.

Michigan faces Hofstra Sunday (Sept. 2) at U-M Soccer Field. Action begins at 2:30 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
Rutgers	0	0	0
Michigan	1	2	3

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Mauro Fuzetti, 1:25 (Santos Perez)
2nd -- U-M, Fuzetti, 62:00 (Michael Holody)
2nd -- U-M, Peri Marosevic, 64:28 (unassisted)

Shots: U-M 11, Rutgers 3
Saves: U-M 0 (Patrick Sperry), Rutgers 6 (Matt VanOekel)
Corner Kicks: U-M 1, Rutgers 2
Fouls: U-M 11, Rutgers 8
Cards: None

NOTES

• Sophomore forward Mauro Fuzetti scored his first and second goals of the one-game season, giving him a total of four goals in his Michigan career.

• Sophomore forward Peri Marosevic booted his first goal of the season and seven in his tenure as a Wolverine, tying him for sixth place on U-M's goal scorers along with Kevin Robinson (2000-03) and Jurgen Schmeider (2002).

• Junior defender Michael Holody's assist marks his second playing for the Maize and Blue.

• After defeating Rutgers, Michigan is 4-4 in home openers.

• With today's win, Michigan is now 6-2 all-time in season openers.

• Michigan is now 5-4-2 against teams from the Big East Conference.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the game ... "This was a very important win for our team. It was important because of the timing, because of the fact we were playing a strong opponent and because all of our players that we counted on to play well played very well. It took all the pressure off of the less experienced players so they were able to step in and play well also."

On the offense ... "I think anytime you can get more than one or two guys as threats on your team, you're going to be dangerous. I think you saw it tonight with (Steve) Bonnell on the right side and Mauro (Fuzetti) coming out of the central mid position and Peri (Marosevic) who is always lurking around the ball."

On the defense ..."We were really concerned about Rutgers ability to operate in the hole. We did quite a bit of training on that and I think the team was very aware of that space and knew that we had to get in and control it defensively. (Alex) Morisset and (Jake) Stacy did a great job in that transition moment."

On what the team will take from this game ..."It's a great start to the season. Now we know what our starting point is and we look pretty strong so we can keep building on it."

On future matches... "I think this is a season where we understand what the opponent likes to do but we force them to make the adjustment on us more so than we adjust to them. It's great to be in that position.

U-M Sophomore Forward Mauro Fuzetti
On the game ... "It can't get any better than that. It was a good game. We played pretty well. It's just unbelievable -- I can't believe it right now. A 3-0 win against a ranked Rutgers -- it just can't get any better."

On the improvement from the first exhibition game against WMU ..."Playing in the Western game, we had come out from having two-a-days for a week and went straight into a game so we didn't really have our legs. But we really wanted to be out there tonight. We left that game behind us and knew that we were a good enough team to play like we played tonight.

On the momentum from the win tonight ... "This game gives us huge momentum. Our confidence is extremely high. We knew it was going to be tough but we knew we could do it and that is something we can take and use in future matches."

U-M Sophomore Forward Peri Marosevic
On his goal tonight ... "We were able to get some combination play going before the goal even happened. We were able to keep the ball moving very well. What I remember was that (Steve) Bonnell had the ball on the outside and had a couple of guys on him and he took the shot. I was hoping for a deflection from the goalkeeper to set me up perfectly and it happened. The goalie made a save and it popped up perfectly for me. I was able to put it in the back of the net. I ran over to the soccer alumnae that were around and celebrated with them.

On how the goal helps his confidence ... "It helps me a lot. I was suffering with an injury during preseason so I wasn't able to play as much. I didn't score that many goals during pre-season so this being the first game against a great team really helps build my confidence. I think the whole team is feeling confident."