Wolverines Play to Tie at Marquette to Remain Unbeaten in Last Five

Sunday, September 19

Milwaukee, Wis.

1:00 PM CT

Michigan

3-1-3

Marquette

1-3-2

OT 3

OT 4

Michigan

Marquette

Wolverines Play to Tie at Marquette to Remain Unbeaten in Last Five

9/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Jessica Poole

Site: Milwaukee, Wis. (Valley Fields)
Event: Big Ten/Big East Challenge
Score: Michigan 1, Marquette 1 (2OT)
Records: U-M (3-1-3), Marquette (1-3-3)
Attendance: 200
Next U-M Game: Wednesday, Sept. 22 -- vs. Kentucky (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Senior forward Justin Meram (Shelby Township, Mich./Eisenhower) scored his second goal in as many games as the University of Michigan men's soccer team settled for a 1-1 draw at Marquette on Sunday (Sept. 19) in the final game of the Big Ten/Big East Challenge at Valley Fields.

Justin Meram

U-M's offense was led by freshman forward Soony Saad (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn), who posted seven shots, two of which reached the frame. Meram and freshman midfielder Fabio Pereira (Sao Paulo, Brazil/South Kent [Conn.]) each tallied five shots, while redshirt junior goalkeeper Chris Blais (Seattle, Mich./Kennedy Memorial) tied his career high in saves (7) for the third consecutive game. U-M's defense help him out with three team saves.

Michigan struck first in the scoring column in the 50th minute of action on a goal from Meram. Pereira dribbled the ball through the midfield and distributed it to Meram, who took a few touches on the left side and beat Marquette goalkeeper David Check on the inside far post.

Marquette answered in the 79th minute of action on a goal off a free kick from Calum Mallace.

Michigan had another strong chance when sophomore midfielder David Yang (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) sent in a shot from the right side of the Marquette box, but no Wolverine could bang the shot home.

Senior defender Jeffrey Quijano (Canoga Park, Calif./Canoga) and freshman Ezekiel Harris (Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth) each made two team saves, pushing the ball out of the net to preserve the tie late in the game.

Playing in his fourth overtime game, Blais made his best save when he punched a Marquette shot headed for just under the crossbar out of harm's way.

Michigan and Marquette each took three shots in the first overtime period and Marquette held a slim 3-2 shots advantage in the second extra frame.

The Wolverines made several trips into the Marquette box in the first half, led by Pereira, who posted three shots in the opening 45, as the Wolverines tallied 11 shots overall.

U-M returns home for two games next weekend. Michigan hosts Kentucky on Wednesday (Sept. 22) at 7 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium and opens Big Ten action against rival Ohio State on Saturday (Sept. 25) at 7 p.m. in the highlight of Alumni Weekend.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	0T	0T	F
Michigan	0	1	0	0	1
Marquette	0	1	0	0	1

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- U-M, Justin Meram, 49:08 (Fabio Pereira)
2nd -- MU, Calum Mallace, 78:07 (unassisted)

Shots: U-M 29, MU 19
Shots on Goal: U-M 7, MU 11
Saves: U-M 10 (Chris Blais 7, Team 3), MU 6 (David Check 5, Team 1)
Corner Kicks: U-M 8, MU 9
Fouls: U-M 8, MU 21
Cards: MU, Michael Alfano, 33:22 (Yellow); MU, Calum Mallace, 53:17 (Yellow); U-M, David Yang, 53:40 (Yellow); MU, Anthony Selvaggi (Yellow).

NOTES

• Michigan scored its seventh second-half goal this season.

• Michigan played its fourth overtime game of the season and its third double-overtime game. U-M has walked away with a tie in each of its double overtime games.

• Michigan posted its sixth consecutive game with 20 or more shots and its second game of 29 shots or more. U-M had a single-game program record of 34 shots against Seattle earlier this season.

• Michigan goalkeeper Chris Blais tied his career high with seven saves. Blais has hit that mark in each of U-M's last three games.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the game ... "Our guys played to win and are disappointed in the result. We dominated at times, but Marquette stood their ground and did a fine job picking their moments. I liked how we stayed focused in this game as it shows some great character that will serve us well as we enter the Big Ten season."