Wolverines Tame Grizzlies with Shutout Win at Oakland

Wednesday, September 26

Rochester Hills, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

8-0-1

Oakland

3-2-2

Michigan

Oakland

Wolverines Tame Grizzlies with Shutout Win at Oakland

9/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Stacey Schwartz

Site: Rochester, Mich. (OU Soccer Field)
Score: #10 Michigan 2, Oakland 0
Records: U-M (8-0-1), Oakland (3-2-2)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sept. 29 -- vs. Indiana (U-M Soccer Field), 7 p.m.

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 was not 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

By Periods	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).

NOTES

• Freshman forward Tex McCullough made his career debut against Oakland Wednesday (Sept. 26), scoring his first career goal -- a game-winner -- in the contest.

• Mauro Fuzetti tallied two assists in the match against Oakland. The helpers mark his first two of the season and the fifth and sixth of his career.

• Junior Steve Bonnell tallied his third career goal against the Golden Grizzlies.

• By blanking the Grizzlies for his sixth shutout of the season, junior/sophomore Patrick Sperry took ownership of the U-M single-season record for shutouts.

• The Wolverines have eclipsed their win total from the 2006 season (7-10-4), as they now stand at 8-0-1 for the season.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On today's effort ... "This is what we needed to continue to keep momentum going into the Big Ten season."

On Tex McCullough's first start and goal ... "If you're going to have one impact on the game, it's the score line. He came in and gave us some solid minutes."

On Bonnell's goal ... "He has been doing a lot of things well for us -- scoring, tracking defensively, tearing apart the defense with his runs and holding the ball for us -- now he gets rewarded with a really solid goal and it's great for him."

On not scoring during the second half ... "This is a team that is good enough and mature enough to know how to win a 2-0 game. We talked about not taking our foot off the gas but at the same time, we were in control of the game so we didn't need to score again. We're on the road and keeping a shout out on the road is great."

On the Indiana game ... "It's going to be a great game with a great crowd. Indiana is starting its Big Ten season with us and we know how important it is to get the Big Ten season off to a good start. I just encourage everyone to come out and support us because it's going to be a fantastic environment."

U-M Freshman Forward Tex McCullough
On scoring his first career goal during his first career start... "I feel great. It was very exciting to get my first goal and I am really happy. It's awesome. The defense played really well and Pat (Sperry) got another shutout. I'm really happy I could help the team out."

On when he found out he was going to start ... "I found out yesterday. I was nervous but excited. I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience success so soon."

U-M Sophomore Forward Steve Bonnell
On the team's great start ... "I think it's pretty obvious with the smile on my face that I feel good. But the game is over and we have to come back and play on Saturday."

On the Indiana match ... "I am confident that if we come out and play our game, it should be a great one."

On his goal ... "I have to give a shout out to Mauro (Fuzetti). He made a great play, looked up and saw me on the far side. He crossed the ball and I took the shot."