Michigan
8-0-1
Oakland
3-2-2
Wolverines Tame Grizzlies with Shutout Win at Oakland
9/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Boxscore | Notes& Quotes
ROCHESTER Mich. -- Freshman forward Tex McCullough (Plano, Texas/Plano) registered his first career goal -- a game-winner -- as the No. 10-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team defeated the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, 2-0, Wednesday (Sept. 26) on Oakland Soccer Field. Michigan made a statement seven minutes into the match, when McCullough -- on a Texas connection from sophomore forward Mauro Fuzetti (Houston, Texas/Stratford) -- booted a shot into the lower right side of the net to put the Wolverines up 1-0.
The shutout by junior/sophomore goalkeeper Patrick Sperry (Hinsdale, Ill./Hinsdale Central) was his sixth of the season, which sets a new Michigan single-season record for most shutouts. Sperry had seven saves in the match.
Michigan won the contest aided by hard work from junior midfielder Alex Morisset (Shelby Township, Mich./De La Salle). Morisset won the battle of the midfield, repeatedly blocking shots and making seamless tackles. His takeaway from an Oakland forward set up Michigan's second and final tally in the match, as junior forward Steve Bonnell (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Detroit Country Day) put the accent on Michigan's win, nailing a 20-yard score at 17:13 on another Fuzetti assist.
Oakland threatened on multiple occasions -- most notably late in the first half and midway through the second. After a strong throw-in by an Oakland player in the second frame, the Grizzlies took their best shot on goal of the contest, but the stout Michigan defense cleared it from goal.
Michigan wasn't without further scoring chances in the game -- specifically late in the second half. At one point, junior midfielder Jake Stacy (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills) was one-on-one against the Oakland goalkeeper. Stacy sent a cross to Fuzetti, but his shot missed wide. Minutes later, sophomore/freshman forward Matt Schmitt (Muskegon, Mich./Reeths-Puffer) sent a cross to Bonnell, whose shot was blocked by the Oakland goalkeeper. The rebound went to sophomore/freshman forward Cam Cameron (Saline, Mich./Saline), who took another strong shot on goal that missed wide.
At 74:41, Oakland defender Machel James received a red card, allowing Michigan to play a man up and protect its 2-0 lead.
Michigan will face Big Ten rival No. 19 Indiana Saturday (Sept. 29) on the U-M Soccer Field at 7 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michgan | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Tex McCullough, 7:44 (Mauro Fuzetti)
1st -- U-M, Steve Bonnell, 17:13 (Fuzetti)
Shots: U-M 14, Oakland 8
Saves: U-M 5 (Patrick Sperry), Oakland 7 (Steve Clark)
Corner Kicks: U-M 6, Oakland 2
Fouls: U-M 17, Oakland 18
Cards: Oakland, Adam Brent, 30:517 (yellow); U-M, Alex Morisset, 30:39 (yellow); Oakland, Piotr Nowak, 59:24 (yellow); U-M, Santos Perez, 60:50 (yellow); Oakland, Gabe Hernandez, 73:05 (yellow); Oakland, Machel James, 74:41 (red).
Contact: Stacey Schwartz (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
McCullough (1)
Assisted By: Fuzetti, Mauro
cross from lower right side to 26
7:44
Bonnell, Steve (1)
Assisted By: Fuzetti, Mauro
shot from about 20 yards out
17:13
