Michigan
2-2-1
Detroit
3-2-2
Michigan Comes Up Short Against Detroit
9/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
» Michigan held advantages on the score sheet in shots (16-4), shots on goal (7-2) and corner kicks (8-6).
» William Mellors-Blair converted a penalty kick in the 65th minute to cap the scoring.
» Peter Brown and Michael Kapitula each recorded his first career start.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Detroit 2, Michigan 1
Attendance: 654
Records: U-M (2-2-1), Detroit (3-2-2)
Next U-M Match: Sunday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Northwestern (U-M Soccer Stadium), 3 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite holding statistical advantages in nearly every category, the University of Michigan men's soccer team came up short against Detroit, 2-1, on Wednesday (Sept. 16) at U-M Soccer Stadium. Senior William Mellors-Blair recorded the team's lone goal via a penalty kick in the 65th minute.
The Titans (3-2-2) got on the board early in the 12th minute, as midfielder Spiro Pliakos won a 50-50 ball off a scramble and fed Tyler Moorman on the right flank. Moorman finished far post, top left to give the Titans a 1-0 lead.
After dominating possession in the opening half and outshooting Detroit, 6-1, the Wolverines (2-2-1) conceded their second goal in the 61st minute, as Alex Mendonca sent in a long cross from the right side 24 yards out inside the area. The service was headed home by Jason Leslie to give the Titans a 2-0 advantage with nearly 30 minutes to play in the match.
Four minutes later, Mellors-Blair was awarded a penalty after darting into the area and getting clipped by a Titan defender. He went on the beat Nathan Steinwascher lower right to cut the Detroit lead in half at 2-1.
Switching to a more attacking formation, the Maize and Blue pressed on, with sophomore Tyler Anderson earning two half-chances in the 72nd and 84th minutes but to no avail.
The final U-M chance of the night came from freshman Francis Atuahene in the 85th minute, as he escaped two defenders on the left flank. However, the Accra, Ghana, native was not able to improve his angle on his attempt that was turned away by Steinwascher, and time ran out on Michigan's comeback effort.
The Wolverines are back at home on Sunday (Sept. 20) when they take on Northwestern at 3 p.m. in U-M's Big Ten home opener. The match is dedicated as the program's keystone match as part of the 150th Anniversary of Michigan Athletics, and it will be streamed on BTN Plus.
Postgame Notes
• Freshman Peter Brown made the first start of his U-M career, seeing the most action he has this season with 61 minutes of time.
• Francis Atuahene continues to pace the squad in shots this season with 16 after four shots on the night.
• Tyler Anderson returned to action after missing the Maryland match and played 45 minutes.
• The converted penalty was the first of the season for U-M, and the first attempt of William Mellors-Blair's U-M career.
Team Stats
MOORMAN, Tyler
Assisted By: PLIAKOS, Spiro
1-2 pass, lower left finish
11:44
LESLIE, Jason
Assisted By: MENDONCA, Alex
header off long cross
60:06
Mellors-Blair, Will
MICH Mellors-Blair, Will PENALTY KICK GOAL.
64:37
