Offense Comes Alive as Wolverines Blast Oakland

Wednesday, October 29

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

5-7-3

Oakland

7-6-1

OAKLAND

Michigan

10/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Scott Kemps

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 3, Oakland 1
Records: U-M (5-7-3), OU (7-6-1)
Attendance: 792
Next U-M Match: Sunday, Nov. 2 -- at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.), 1 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Behind a multi-point effort from junior Colin McAtee, the offense came alive for the University of Michigan men's soccer team Wednesday (Oct. 29) in a 3-1 victory over Oakland at U-M Soccer Stadium. McAtee scored the game's first goal just 2:38 into play and later tacked on an assist as well. Senior Marcos Ugarte and freshman Ahinga Selemani also added scores to lift U-M to victory.

Marcos Ugarte

The Wolverines exerted plenty of offensive pressure early, recording three corner kicks in the first four minutes and winning the corner kick battle, 8-4. McAtee opened the scoring off the team's second corner kick, finding a Tyler Anderson cross for the header.

The offensive pressure continued through the first half, as Michigan placed three shots on the Grizzlies net while allowing just one shot. The Wolverines finished the half with five corner kicks. Sophomore Rylee Woods closed the first half with a great chance from 18 yards out, but it was saved by Oakland keeper Wes Mink.

Michigan carried momentum into the second half, when senior Marcos Ugarte knocked a free kick opportunity high and wide. He got another chance five minutes later, receiving a pass from McAtee 16 yards out and curving it from the left side of the box into the top right corner of the goal to give the Wolverines a 2-0 lead.

Oakland responded in the 76th minute after earning a penalty kick that was conceded by the U-M defense. Gerald Ben snuck the ball right by a diving Evan Louro, who guessed correctly on the try, to bring the Grizzlies within one. However, it was freshman Ahinga Selemani who iced the match less than five minutes later with a right-footed snipe from 22 yards out.

U-M wraps up the week by traveling to No. 12 Michigan State Sunday (Nov. 2) at 1 p.m. from DeMartin Stadium. The matchup also marks the annual Battle for Big Bear, the traveling trophy that is awarded to the winning side of the yearly matchup. The match will be broadcast live via the Big Ten Network.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
Oakland	0	1	1
Michigan	1	2	3

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Colin McAtee, 2:38 (Tyler Anderson)
2nd -- U-M, Marcos Ugarte, 63:39 (McAtee)
2nd -- OU, Gerald Ben, 75:04 (Penalty Kick)
2nd -- U-M, Ahinga Selemani, 79:57 (James Murphy, Brett Nason)

Shots: U-M 10, OU 16
Shots on Goal: U-M 7, OU 3
Saves: U-M 2 (Evan Louro), OU 4 (Wes Mink)
Corner Kicks: U-M 8, OU 4
Cards: U-M, Billy Stevens, 25:14 (Yellow); OU, Eric Pogue, 27:22 (Yellow); U-M, Brett Nason, 70:10 (Yellow); OU, Matt Dudley, 82:27 (Yellow); U-M, James Murphy, 84:37 (Yellow); U-M, Chaka Daley, 88:22 (Yellow).

NOTES

• The header goal is the third of the kind this season for McAtee, all coming off the foot of Tyler Anderson. It is also U-M's earliest goal to start a match this season.

• The start of Brett Nason was the first start of the season.

• The helper is the first of Nason's career, coming on the Ahinga Selemani score.

• U-M improves to 9-1-4 against the Grizzlies in the all-time series.

• Selemani has now scored goals in back-to-back matches.

• Evan Louro leads the team with 27 saves, while Colin McAtee leads the team in points with 16.

• Sophomore defender Lars Eckenrode missed the match due to yellow card accumulation.