Michigan Earns Second Shutout Win of the Weekend

Sunday, September 2

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:30 PM

Michigan

2-0-0

Hofstra

0-1-1

Hofstra

Michigan

9/2/2007 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 1, Hofstra 0
Records: U-M (2-0-0), Hofstra (0-1-1)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Sept. 7 -- vs. Cal State-Northridge (Fullerton, Calif.), 5 p.m. PDT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team rounded out a perfect opening weekend with a 1-0 victory over Hofstra Sunday (Sept. 2) on the U-M Soccer Field. The Wolverines, who improved to 2-0-0 on the season, have yet to allow a goal during the 2007 campaign.

The Wolverines jumped out to a 1-0 lead at 15:26 in the first half on a goal from sophomore Peri Marosevic (Rockford, Ill./Edison). Sophomore Jake Stacy (Grand rapids, Mich./Forest Hills) intercepted a pass at midfield and then launched a counter attack with a quick pass to senior Michael Parke (Portage, Mich./Portage Central), who led Marosevic to slide the ball past the Hofstra goalkeeper's right side from 18 yards out. The goal was Marosevic's second in as many contests.

Michigan's defense was able to keep Hofstra at bay, limiting the visiting teams chances on goal. Junior/sophomore goalkeeper Patrick Sperry (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) was a force in the net, making three saves for his second straight shutout. In 180 minutes in goal this season, Sperry is yet to allow a tally.

The Wolverines begin a western road trip next weekend with a Friday night (Sept. 7) match at Cal State Northridge in Fullerton, Calif. The game is slated for a 5 p.m. PDT start.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
Hofstra	0	0	0
Michigan	1	0	1

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Peri Marosevic, 15:26 (Michael Parke, Jake Stacy)

Shots: U-M 18, Hofstra 4
Saves: U-M 3 (Patrick Sperry), Hofstra 5 (Tom Johansen)
Corner Kicks: U-M 6, Hofstra 2
Fouls: U-M 10, Hofstra 8
Cards: Chris Cox, 46:39 (yellow).

NOTES

• Peri Marosevic moved into a three-way tie for fifth place all-time in career goals with seven career markers. Marosevic is knotted with Kevin Robinson (2000-03) and Jrgen Schmieder (2002).

• Michigan improves to 2-0 against opponents from the Colonial Athletic Association.

• Goalkeeper Patrick Sperry moved into second place on Michigan's all-time shutouts list. His seventh career shutout pushed him past Joe Zawacki (6, 2001-04) and behind only Peter Dzubay (19, 2002-05).

• Jake Stacy recorded his seventh career assist, moving him into a tie for seventh all-time at Michigan. Former Wolverines Kevin Taylor (2000-03) and J.J. Kern (2000-01) also had seven helpers during their careers.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the impact of the first two games ... "This is a team with maturity now that understands you want to start every season like this. Next is to keep a level head and continue to improve. I think it takes a lot of pressure off the guys as we look forward to this next weekend where we play three time zones away at Cal Northridge and Cal Fullerton."

On what U-M was expecting from Hofstra and Rutgers ... "Specifically Hofstra, I really liked the way they played; they try to play the game the way we want to, which is a possession-oriented game where they are going to build out of the back and switch the point of attack. It was fun to play an opponent that came in and played that way vs. a team that just wanted to come in and steal the game in any way possible."

U-M Sophomore Forward Peri Marosevic
On what the differences are for this years team ... "This year we are a lot more focused as a team than we were last year. We set goals to meet by the end of the year so right now we are just aiming for those goals. We are playing a lot better soccer with our combination plays that are working out with guys who can finish with the ball and our defense has just been incredible."

On what it mean to start the season out with two shutout wins ... "It means a lot any team wants to do this. To start the season off with two shutouts isn't an easy task to perform. It means a lot to us were going for the Big Ten championship and the only way we can do that is to win games. Two shutouts is amazing that means that we are focused and the coaches have done their job and the players have taken their roles to make this happen."

U-M Junior/Sophomore Goalkeeper Patrick Sperry
On how it feels to start out the season with back-to-back shutouts ... "It feels good I know that my teammates are stepping up in front of me and that makes my job a lot easier. I got tested on a few shots today I did my job and it all works together. We know we have a couple good teams ahead of use this weekend and these two shutouts will help take us to their home sites with the confidence we need to win."