Wolverines Down Rutgers to Advance to B1G Quarterfinals

Saturday, November 5

College Park, Md.

1:00 PM

Michigan

4-10-4

Rutgers

1-13-2

Rutgers

Michigan

Wolverines Down Rutgers to Advance to B1G Quarterfinals

11/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Nov. 5, 2016

» Francis Atuahene notched his seventh goal of the season in the 32nd minute on an assist from Brett Nason.
» U-M's second of the day from Ivo Cerda in the 63rd minute is his second on the year, with the assist going to Billy Stevens (second of the year).
» Michigan outshot the Scarlet Knights 15-11, white Evan Louro chipped in a pair of saves.
» The Wolverines will next take on the No. 1-seeded Maryland Terrapins Sunday (November 6) at 4 p.m. in a match that will be broadcast live via the Big Ten Network.

• Boxscore | Tournament Central

Site: College Park, Md. (Ludwig Field)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (First Round)
Score: Michigan 2, Rutgers 1
Records: U-M (4-10-4), Rutgers (1-13-2)
Next U-M Game: Sunday, Nov. 6 -- at Maryland - B1G Tournament Quarterfinals (College Park, Md.), 4 p.m. [ TV: BTN ]

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The No. 8 seed University of Michigan men's soccer team used a pair of scores to defeat the No. 9-seeded Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 2-1, Saturday (Nov. 5) in the first round of the 2016 Big Ten Tournament at Maryland's Ludwig Field.

Michigan got on the board first in the 32nd minute after back-and-forth play from the two sides early on. It was 2016 first team All-Big Ten selection Francis Atuahene who did the deed for the Wolverines, as he took ball from senior Brett Nason from the top of the box to the left side of the area, finishing left to right for his seventh goal of the season.

The Wolverines, who held an 8-7 shot advantage in the opening half, capped off the opening 45 minutes with a golden chance as time expired. After a corner from senior Tyler Anderson that was poorly cleared by the Scarlet Knight defense, junior Ali Jawad had a try from 14 yards out that beat Scarlet Knight goalkeeper David Greczek but was cleared off the line by a Rutgers defender as time expired.

U-M had a great chance to start the second half in the 53rd minute, as a loose ball found its way to senior Yamann Sahlool 30 yards out with one defender to beat. After getting past the RU defender, Greczek was up to task, charging off his line to end the threat.

The Scarlet Knights equalized minutes later in the 56th minute, as the Wolverines conceded a foul 30 yards away from their own goal. A restart from Jason Wright was sent inside the area and was headed home by Niel Guzman to even the tally at 1-1.

Seven minutes later, the Wolverines took the lead for good, as U-M's athleticism advantage on the right wing was front and center. Junior Billy Stevens sent a long ball over the top that found sophomore Ivo Cerda in close, where he finished to seal the match with his second goal of the season to give the Wolverines the 2-1 lead.

Junior goalkeeper Evan Louro made a pair of saves on the day, while Atuahene led U-M with five shots.

U-M advances to the Big Ten quarterfinals to once again meet the No. 1-ranked Maryland Terrapins, the No. 1 overall seed, on Sunday (Nov. 6) at 4 p.m. on BTN.

Communications Contact: Scott Kemps