Michigan
8-2-4
Minnesota
10-5-2
Ezurike's Goal in 110th Minute Seals Upset at No. 23 Minnesota
10/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Site: Minneapolis, Minn. (Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium)
Score: Michigan 1, #23 Minnesota 0 (2OT)
Records: U-M (8-2-4, 3-1-2 Big Ten), Minnesota (10-5-2, 2-4-1 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Oct. 24 -- at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.), 1 p.m. CDT
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Freshman Nkem Ezurike (Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia/Sackville) scored in the waning seconds of overtime to propel the University of Michigan women's soccer team to a 1-0 upset victory at No. 23-ranked Minnesota on Friday evening (Oct. 22) at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. Ezurike broke the scoreless tie with just 27 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
Nkem Ezurike
Junior/sophomore Haley Kopmeyer (Troy, Mich./Lahser) stood on her head to deliver the Wolverines to the second overtime, making seven saves en route to the shutout.
After being outshot 12-1 in the first half, the Wolverines began to find another gear, putting relentless pressure on the Gophers and culminating with the winning marker for U-M's third straight one-goal triumph.
Just moments before the decisive marker, Ezurike sent sophomore Eunnie Kim (Hubley, Nova Scotia/Sir John A MacDonald) on a run at the goal that resulted in a shot narrowly missing the frame. Kim got on the end of the ensuing goal kick, settling the ball before sending it to Ezurike via freshman Meghan Toohey (Philadelphia, Pa./Phil-Mont Christian) . With the ball at her feet, Ezurike took one touch before ripping a shot from 16 yards out, connecting with the twine in the top left corner.
Michigan took control of the game's pace midway through the second half, beginning with a breakaway by freshman Shelby Chambers-Garcia (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) that forced the Minnesota goalkeeper to make a leaping save. In the ensuing minutes, both Kim and Ezurike also had quality scoring chances that did not find paydirt. Senior Jackie Carron (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester) stymied the Gophers in the 72nd minute, making a save on the goal line after a Minnesota attacker created an opening off a corner kick.
The Wolverines look to extend their current undefeated streak (3-0-2) to six games as they conclude a three-game road swing at Wisconsin on Sunday (Oct. 24) in Madison, Wis. Kickoff is scheduled for at 1 p.m. CDT.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | OT | OT | F |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Minnesota | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
2OT -- Nkem Ezurike, 109:33 (Meghan Toohey, Eunnie Kim)
Shots: U-M 9, MINN 21
Shots on Goal: U-M 2, MINN 8
Saves: U-M 8 (Haley Kopmeyer 7, Team 1), MINN 1 (Cat Parkhill)
Corner Kicks: U-M 7, MINN 9
Fouls: U-M 15, MINN 13
Cards: None
NOTES
• The Wolverines extended their undefeated streak to five games (3-0-2).
• Michigan defeated a ranked opponent on the road for the first time since downing No. 4-ranked Notre Dame, 1-0, in the second round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament (Nov. 16, 2003).
• The Wolverines beat a ranked opponent on the road for just the fourth time in program history. The Maize and Blue went to Bloomington, Ind., on Sept. 17, 2000, and came away with a 2-0 victory over No. 22-ranked Indiana. During the 2003 season, Michigan marched to South Bend, Ind., twice and beat the ranked Fighting Irish.
• Michigan improved to 6-10-2 all-time against Minnesota.
• Junior/sophomore Haley Kopmeyer earned her 12th career win, matching Jori Welchans (12, 1994-96) for fifth on the U-M career list.
• Kopmeyer also collected the 150th save and 10th shutout of her career.
Team Stats
Ezurike, Nkem (8)
Assisted By: Toohey, Meghan , Kim, Eunnie
GOAL by MICH Ezurike, Nkem (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Toohey, Meghan and Kim, Eunnie, goal number 8 for season.
109:33
