Michigan
5-2-3
Notre Dame
7-2-3
Michigan Battles to Double-Overtime Draw with No. 7 Notre Dame
10/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
» Francis Atuahene scored his team-leading eighth goal in the 23rd minute for the lone U-M goal. Atuahene has now scored a goal in each of the last five matches.
» Evan Louro stopped a career-high eight shots in goal, highlighted by four in the second half and one in overtime.
» U-M is now unbeaten in its last five matches (3-0-2) and earn its second draw against a top-10 team this season.
Site: South Bend, Ind. (Alumni Stadium)
Score: Michigan 1, #7 Notre Dame 1 (2OT)
Records: U-M (5-2-3), UND (7-2-3)
Next U-M Match: Saturday, Oct. 10 -- vs. Rutgers (U-M Soccer Stadium), 11:30 a.m. -- #FutbolB4Football
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Sophomore goalkeeper Evan Louro made a career-high eight saves, while freshman Francis Atuahene scored his team-best eighth goal in the 23rd minute as the University of Michigan men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw Wednesday (Oct. 7) against No. 7 Notre Dame at Alumni Field.
After senior William Mellors-Blair had a scoring chance less than two minutes after the opening whistle, Michigan (5-2-3) got on the board in the 23rd minute, as the blue-collar efforts of freshman Ivo Cerda on a sliding challenge caused a Fighting Irish turnover. Cerda was able to distribute to senior Colin McAtee 25 yards out on the left flank. McAtee then fed a darting Atuahene, who took a touch and finished lower right for his eighth goal of the season to give U-M the early 1-0 advantage.
Notre Dame (7-2-3) found the equalizer in the 43rd minute, as Max Lachowecki found space on the left flank, and sent a service eight yards out in front of the U-M goal that found Thomas Ueland. Ueland, with a U-M defender draped on him, took a touch with this right foot, and finished lower left to knot the scoreline at 1-1.
Heading into the half with both teams knotted in shots at 8-8 and saves at 3-3, the two sides played even in the early portion of the second stanza.
The first major chance of the second for either side came in the 77th minute. Louro, who had five saves in the second half and in overtime, came up with a pair of saves off the foot of reigning ACC Player of the Year Patrick Hodan. The initial chance came at the 76:25 mark on a smash point blank range, while the latter came nearly 20 seconds later, as the South River, New Jersey, native sprawled to his left on another close range shot, parrying the try off the post.
Louro continued his prowess nearly 10 minutes later, as Notre Dame was presented with a golden opportunity on a free-kick from 25 yards out. Hodan's strike ducked around the U-M wall near side, but Louro was able to dive to his right to smother the attempt, while the follow-up shot for the Irish's Brandon Aubrey grazed the right post to hold the score at 1-1.
U-M earned eight corner-kicks in the second, but the match headed into extra time for the second straight match and the fourth time this season. U-M was able to generate a pair of opportunities in the first session coming in succession, beginning with a shot from McAtee in the 105th minute, and was followed by a half-volley from junior Brett Nason a minute later, but neither resulted the the breakthrough.
Louro remained strong up until the final moments, making a stop with only seconds to play, as U-M improved to 0-0-2 this season in overtime matches against top-10 opponents.
The Wolverines will return home to the friendly confines of U-M Soccer Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 10), hosting Rutgers at 11:30 a.m. All fans with a football ticket to the game versus Northwestern at 3:30 p.m. will be admitted free of charge.
Postgame Notes
• Francis Atuahene has now scored a goal in each of the last five matches, and leads the team with eight markers on the year. The eight goals match Colin McAtee's team leading output from last season with seven matches to play.
• The assist for Colin McAtee was the first of the season, and the eighth of his career. He now has points in back-to-back games after his brace against Wisconsin.
• U-M has now generated results in back-to-back seasons against the Irish, building upon last seasons 3-2 win in Ann Arbor.
• The Wolverines improve to 1-0-3 in overtime this season.
• With seven matches remaining on the season, five will be played at U-M Soccer Stadium.
• Evan Louro has now surpassed the five save plateau on four occasions this season.
Team Stats
Atuahene, Francis
Assisted By: McAtee, Colin
Left. 13 yrds. Far post.
22:31
Ueland, Thomas
Assisted By: Lachowecki, Max
Serve from left flank by 6, 6 yds
42:43
