Michigan
4-0-2, 1-0-1B1G
Indiana
4-0-2, 0-1-1B1G
Michigan Earns Hard-Fought Draw at Top-Ranked Indiana
9/13/2017 10:44:00 PM | Men's Soccer
» Junior Robbie Mertz had the lone Wolverine goal in the 51st minute on a primary assist from freshman Umar Farouk Osman.
» The result (tie) is the first point against a No. 1-ranked opponent in program history.
» After surrendering a first-half goal in the 12th minute, U-M did not allow a shot for over 35 minutes, spanning into the second half.
» Junior Francis Atuahene made his first start of the season, while freshman Mohammed Zakyi returned to the lineup for the first time since the William & Mary match (Aug. 25).
Site: Bloomington, Ind. (Armstrong Stadium)
Score: #18 Michigan 1, #1 Indiana 1 (2OT)
Records: U-M (4-0-2, 1-0-1 B1G), IU (4-0-2, 0-0-2 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 17 -- vs. #6 Michigan State (U-M Soccer Stadium), Noon (TV: BTN)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The 18th-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team fought to a 1-1 draw against the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers Wednesday (Sept. 13) at Armstrong Stadium. Junior Robbie Mertz had the lone U-M goal in the 51st minute of action as the Wolverines earned their first point vs. a No. 1-ranked team in school history.
The Wolverines (4-0-2, 1-0-1 B1G) fell behind early in the 12th minute after an unfortunate sequence in which sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Verdi made a pair of saves. However, the ball was unable to be cleared to safety by the U-M back line, and the final chance was put home by Andrew Gutman of the Hoosiers to make the tally 1-0.
Following the goal, U-M settled into the match, finding consistent link-up play and quality on both ends. The Maize and Blue did not allow a Hoosier shot over the final 30 minutes of the half, ending the first stanza with a 7-4 advantage in the category.
U-M's persistence was rewarded in the 51st minute on an exemplary link-up play from freshman Mohammed Zakyi, freshman Umar Farouk Osman and the beneficiary, junior Robbie Mertz. Zakyi was able to corral a loose ball near midfield and had a half overhead volley to Osman, who darted down the right flank and sent an inch-perfect service that was headed home by Mertz at the top of the six to bring the Wolverines level at 1-1.
The Wolverines took it to the No. 1 Hoosiers much of the second half and nearly took the lead in the 74th minute, as junior defender Marcello Borges sped down the left flank and whipped in a perfectly weighted low service that found senior Tristan Jacob. In traffic, Jacob was able to get a solid shot on frame, but it was turned away by IU goalkeeper Trey Muse to hold the score at 1-1 and eventually send the match to overtime.
U-M had a smattering of half chances in the extra sessions, highlighted by a near own goal that would have been a result of a superlative effort from junior Jack Hallahan, who send a low ball through the mouth of goal that was nearly tipped in by a Hoosier defender.
Verdi was up to task the majority of the night, making a season-high six stops in goal, while junior Francis Atuahene, who started for the first time this season, paced U-M with three shots.
Tweet of the Match
Highlights vs. No. 1 Indiana pic.twitter.com/p8w0qbs1Yg
— U-M Men's Soccer (@umichsoccer) September 14, 2017
Michigan now sets its sights on the Battle for Big Bear matchup vs. No. 6 Michigan State on Sunday (Sept. 17) at noon from U-M Soccer Stadium. The 2017 installment will be the first in series history with both teams ranked in the the NSCAA/USC national poll.
Team Stats
GUTMAN, Andrew (3)
Assisted By: DORSEY, Griffin
Off rebound, shot from six yards on left
11:35
Mertz, Robbie (1)
Assisted By: Osman, Umar Farouk
Cross in from right, header from 7 yards
50:23
