Mertz's First Career Goal Not Enough in 2OT Loss at Northwestern

Sunday, September 25

Evanston, Ill.

1:00 PM CT

Michigan

0-6-3

Northwestern

2-6-1

OT 1

OT 2

Michigan

Northwestern

Mertz's First Career Goal Not Enough in 2OT Loss at Northwestern

9/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Scott Kemps

» The Wolverine goal came in the 56th minute from Robbie Mertz, the first of his career on helpers from Yamann Sahlool and Ivo Cerda.
» U-M's 23 shots on the match mark a season high, with Francis Atuahene (6) and Jack Hallahan (5) leading the category.
» The defeat is the first in five overtime matches this season, as Northwestern's Mike Roberge marked the match-winner in the 107th minute.

Site: Evanston, Ill. (Lakeside Field)
Score: Northwestern 2, Michigan 1 (2OT)
Records: U-M (0-6-3, 0-4-0 B1G), Northwestern. (2-6-1, 1-2-1 B1G)
Next U-M Game: Wednesday, Sept. 28 -- vs. Detroit (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m.

EVANSTON, Ill. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team outshot Northwestern, 23-13, but a Wildcat goal in the 107th minute dealt the Wolverines a 2-1 double-overtime defeat Sunday (Sept. 25) at at Northwestern's Lakeside Field.

The Wildcats got on the board first in the 27th minute of action. Elo Ozumba was the beneficiary of a ball from Nathan Dearth, who found space in the U-M defense and sent a ball to the mouth of the goal that was headed home by Ozumba as U-M fell behind 1-0.

Leading 10-6 at the half on shots and 4-2 in shots on goal and bossing the majority of the quality possession in the opening half, U-M burst out of the gate in the second with four shots in the opening 10 minutes. The Wolverines then found the equalizer they have been awaiting in the 56th minute. Senior Yamann Sahlool played a ball that was tapped in by sophomore Robbie Mertz for his first career goal to level the score line at 1-1.

Following the goal, the Wolverines continued to dominate the chances in the second half as a whole with 12 shots, three on goal, as Northwestern sat back and seemingly played for overtime.

In the 72nd minute, U-M had a golden chance to take the lead, as sophomore Marcello Borges whipped in a cross that was headed by sophomore Francis Atuahene on frame. Unluckily for U-M, the Wildcat defense cleared the headed effort off their own goal line.

Following the Atuahene chance, the Maize and Blue sprinkled a few more chances, outshooting the Wildcats, 5-1, the remainder of regulation as the match headed into overtime, U-M's fifth overtime match of the season.

After coming up with a few half chances in the first session, Northwestern marked the match-winner in the 107th minute. The goal was credited to Mike Roberge off a set piece from Drew Rosenberg, as goalkeeper Evan Louro was screened on the play.

Next, the Wolverines return home to face the Detroit Titans Wednesday (Sept. 28) at 7:30 p.m. from U-M Soccer Stadium.