Wolverines Fall at Michigan State in Battle for Big Bear

Sunday, September 18

East Lansing, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

0-4-3, 0-3-0B1G

Michigan State

5-1, 2-0B1G

Michigan

Michigan State

Wolverines Fall at Michigan State in Battle for Big Bear

9/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore Photos

By: Scott Kemps

» The Wolverines outshot MSU, 16-10, and owned a 9-3 shot on goal advantage. U-M has now outshot its opponents in six of its seven matches this season.
» Sophomore Robbie Mertz (4) and freshman Jack Hallahan (3) led the Wolverines in the shot category, while a trio of Mertz's attempts were on frame.
» A Brad Centala goal in the seventh minute proved to be the difference on a little flick across the face of the goal off a long throw in the infancy of the matchup.

Site: East Lansing, Mich. (DeMartin Stadium)
Score: Michigan State 1, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (0-4-3, 0-3-0 B1G), MSU (5-1-0, 2-0-0 B1G)
Next U-M Game: Wednesday, Sept. 21 -- vs. Western Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team conceded the game's lone goal in the seventh minute, and despite a barrage of chances throughout the match, fell, 1-0, to the Michigan State Spartans Sunday (Sept. 18) at Michigan State's DeMartin Stadium in the earliest meeting between the two sides in the history of the series.

Robbie Mertz

Following an early goal from Michigan State in the seventh minute, the Wolverines out-chanced the Spartans, 4-3, in the opening half, highlighted by a service from junior Michael Kapitula that found the head of sophomore Robbie Mertz, but it was turned away.

Right out of the gate in the second half, U-M was afforded another opportunity on a cross from the wing. Mertz found space on the left touchline and sent a glorious ball to the top of the six that found an unmarked Kapitula. The headed effort, however, was collected by MSU goalkeeper Jimmy Hague.

As a whole, U-M once again held the vast majority of opportunities in the second half as well, and the U-M defense allowed only two shots in the second 45 minutes of play.

With MSU packing in their defense in the final 15 minutes, U-M continued to press on, earning a flurry of opportunities in the 78th minute. A shot from Mertz deflected out for a corner, and after another U-M corner, the MSU back line was forced into action to clear a ball that had Hague beat but was sent to safety away from the mouth of goal.

The Wolverines' final chance came with only 20 seconds left on the clock, as senior Yamann Sahlool took a touch with an overhead volley that found a high-pressing Lars Eckenrode.

The Wolverines return to the friendly confines of U-M Soccer Stadium Wednesday (Sept. 21), hosting the Western Michigan Broncos at 7:30 p.m. The match will be streamed live via BTN Plus.