Michigan
9-4-1
Wisconsin
7-5-2
Men's Soccer Suffers Heartbreaking 2OT Loss at Wisconsin
10/19/2018 11:01:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Site: Madison, Wis. (McClimon Complex)
Score: Wisconsin 1, #18 Michigan 0 (2OT)
Records: U-M (9-4-1, 3-2-1 B1G), Wisconsin (7-5-2, 4-2-0 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Tuesday, Oct. 23 -- at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.), 8 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. -- The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team put up a fight on the road, but fell, 1-0, in double overtime on Friday night (Oct. 19) at the McClimon Complex. The Wolverines led in both shots (14-9) and corner kicks (11-4), but Wisconsin's Noah Melick scored the golden goal in the 108th minute to win the match. Sophomore goalkeeper Henry Mashburn tied a season high with four saves on the night.
The Wolverines could not get much offense going in the first half, as they were held without a shot for the first 45 minutes of play. Their best chance came in the 38th minute off a Marc Ybarra corner kick, but his whipped service into the area could not find anyone.
The team defending was sharp, however. In the 14th minute, Wisconsin's Andrew Akindele found some space alone at the top of the box and fired a shot, but sophomore Austin Swiech charged in at the last second to get in the way, denying the chance.
The Badgers had a prime opportunity to begin the second half, but Mashburn aggressively came off his line to steer it away. The Wolverines ramped up the pressure, outshooting Wisconsin, 10-3, to go along with nine corner kicks in the half. In the 63rd minute, senior Robbie Mertz took advantage of a Badger turnover and put a shot on frame, but it was right to Wisconsin goalkeeper Dean Cowdroy.
In the 77th minute, off another Ybarra corner, junior Jack Hallahan found himself all alone at the top of the box. His shot made it on frame, but Cowdroy tipped it over the bar. Seven minutes later, Hallahan curled in a corner to the near post for Mertz, whose left-footed chip was kept out by Cowdroy.
In overtime, Mashburn came up big in the 94th minute. Akindele got in behind the defense and tried slotting it on Mashburn, but the goalkeeper got big, going down to his left to make the save.
The Wolverines' best chance came in the 102nd minute. Mertz took it to the end line and crossed it into the box for sophomore Mohammed Zakyi. He was in great position and had space, but his header went wide. Wisconsin ended the match in the 108th minute when Melick converted off the counter.
The Wolverines will begin the final week of the regular season on Tuesday (Oct. 23), when they face rival Michigan State in East Lansing with the Big Bear Trophy on the line. The match begins at 8 p.m. and will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
Noah Melick (3)
Assisted By: Duncan Storey
beat keeper low to the near post from 20
107:37
