Wolverines Take Big Bear Trophy with OT Win over No. 23 Spartans

Saturday, October 30

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

10-4-3,3-2-0Big Ten

Michigan State

11-5-0,2-4-0Big Ten

OT 1

Michigan State

Michigan

Wolverines Take Big Bear Trophy with OT Win over No. 23 Spartans

10/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore Photos

By: Jessica Poole

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 3, #23 Michigan State 2 (OT)
Records: U-M (10-4-3, 3-2-0), MSU (11-5-0, 2-4-0)
Attendance: 2,615
Next U-M Game: Saturday, Nov. 6 -- at Northwestern (Evanston, Ill.), 5 p.m. CDT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Hamoody Saad (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn) scored with 1:24 left in the first overtime to send the University of Michigan men' soccer team to a 3-2 overtime win over rival and 23rd-ranked Michigan State on Senior Day (Saturday, Oct. 30) at U-M Soccer Stadium. The win gives U-M the Big Bear Trophy for the first time since the 2003 season and marks U-M's first win over Michigan State in seven tries.

The Wolverine offense was led by goals from Saad, Justin Meram (Shelby Township, Mich./Eisenhower) and Latif Alashe (Northville, Mich./Northville). Meram, Soony Saad (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn) and Alex Wood (Northville, Mich./Northville) each added assists in the Wolverine victory. Goalkeeper Chris Blais (Seattle, Wash./Kennedy Memorial) made five saves in 98:36 of action.

Michigan State made things interesting by scoring the equalizer with just five minutes remaining in regulation, but it was U-M that picked up the overtime win -- the third overtime triumph this season for the Wolverines, who close the home schedule with a 8-2-1 record, one shy of the record for home wins in a season.

The Spartans had the first chance of the game after being awarded a penalty kick in the first half. Michigan State's Domenic Barone stepped up to the penalty marker and took a quality shot, but Blais was in good position and made his first-ever save on a penalty kick to keep the game scoreless early.

After the penalty kick, the Wolverines used the momentum and, just 10 minutes later, got on the scoreboard. In the 40th minute, Meram connected with Soony Saad, who took advantage of a Michigan State defensive miscue in the midfield, and pushed the ball to Meram, who put it just inside the left post past Michigan State's Avery Steinlege to give U-M an early 1-0 lead.

Alashe then earned his first career goal in the 57th minute, receiving a cross from deep in the midfield from Wood and muscling his way to goal to give U-M a 2-0 advantage.

Michigan State scored two unanswered goals in the second half, including tying things up with 5:15 left in regulation, but the Wolverines converted in overtime for their 10th win of the season and fourth consecutive Senior Day victory.

Michigan closes out the regular season with a trip to Evanston, Ill., to take on Northwestern on Saturday (Nov. 6). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CDT at the Wildcats' Lakeside Field.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	OT	F
Michigan State	0	2	0	2
Michigan	1	1	1	3

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Justin Meram, 39:05 (Soony Saad)
2nd -- U-M, Latif Alashe, 56:42 (Alex Wood)
2nd -- MSU, Domenic Barone, 68:44 (Josh Barens)
2nd -- MSU, Barone, 84:45 (Spencer Thompson)
OT -- U-M, Hamoody Saad, 98:36 (unassisted)

Shots: U-M 22, MSU 15
Shots on Goal: U-M 9, MSU 7
Saves: U-M 5 (Chris Blais), MSU 6 (Avery Steinlege)
Corner Kicks: U-M 5, MSU 11
Fouls: U-M 14, MSU 14
Cards: U-M, Ezekiel Harris, 28:20 (Yellow); MSU, Jake Fullerton, 34:37 (Yellow).

NOTES

• Michigan moves to 3-9-1 all-time against Michigan State with today's win. This is the first time the Wolverines have defeated the Spartans since the 2003 season. This also marks U-M first-ever win of the Big Bear trophy at home.

• Michigan also moves to 21-11-6 against teams from the state of Michigan. U-M has faced an in-state opponent in each of its 11 seasons as a varsity sport. In addition to Michigan State, U-M has played Detroit and Oakland this season.

• Michigan picks up its fourth consecutive Senior Day victory. U-M moves to 8-2-1 on Senior Day with the victory and picks up its first win over Michigan State on Senior Day.

• Soony Saad's five-game scoring streak ended today. Saad entered today's game tied for second in the nation with his 14 goals and leads the Wolverines in goals this season.

• Today's game marked Senior and Parents Day at the U-M Soccer Stadium. The Wolverines honored the parents of the 2010 squad as well as seniors Chris Blais, Justin Meram, Jeffrey Quijano, Matt Schmitt, Adam Shaw, Chase Tennant and Alex Wood.

• Michigan's overtime win is the third overtime win of this season. U-M has played in six overtime games this season and is 3-0-3. The win was also U-M's second over a ranked opponent this season (No. 24 Penn State on Oct. 3).

• Latif Alashe's goal was his first career goal. Alashe has started every game that he has played and has started 37 consecutive games.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the game ... "What a great game and a great Michigan victory. Our guys were really pushed today and showed such great character in how we responded to all the challenges that very good Michigan State team imposed on us. From a fan perspective, you couldn't have asked for a more exciting game; goals, a saved penalty kick, huge momentum swings in regulation, breakaways in overtime, and an outrageous goal to win it. This will be a win that our seniors will remember the rest of their lives."

On the significance of the 2010 senior class ... "We really count on this class for their leadership. They did a great job leading our team in the buildup and all the way through this game. They have been there to help our team keep our composure and discipline in the good and bad times. Today's win was because of all their work and belief."

On the game-winning goal ... "Hamoody Saad had a great game and his game-winner was the icing on the cake. He has an innate sense for when to catch a keeper off guard and I think his volley not only surprised the keeper, but it surprised all of us too. What a great goal."