Michigan
12-4-2
Wisconsin
10-6-2
Ybarra's PK, Team Defense Lift U-M Over Wisconsin, Into B1G Tournament Final
11/9/2018 8:03:00 PM | Men's Soccer
» Marc Ybarra converted a penalty kick in the 21st minute, lifting Michigan to a 1-0 win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Friday.
» The Wolverines stifled the Badgers, allowing only four shots -- and none on goal.
» With the victory, Michigan advances to the Big Ten Tournament final for the first time since 2012.
Site: Westfield, Ind. (Grand Park)
Event: Big Ten Tournament Semifinals
Score: Michigan 1, Wisconsin 0
Records: U-M (12-4-2), Wisconsin (10-6-2)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 11 -- vs. No. 2 Indiana - Big Ten Tournament Final (Westfield, Ind.), noon
WESTFIELD, Ind. -- Behind a penalty kick goal from sophomore Marc Ybarra and a stifling defensive effort, the University of Michigan men's soccer team beat Wisconsin, 1-0, in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament on cold and windy Friday (Nov. 9) at Grand Park. With the victory, the Wolverines advance to the conference tournament final for the first time since 2012.
The Wolverines extended their unbeaten streak to four matches (3-0-1), matched last year's win total (12) and avenged their regular-season loss to the Badgers, as well as last year's semifinals loss. The defense limited Wisconsin to only four shots -- none of which were on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Henry Mashburn earned his seventh shutout of the season, the team's first since Oct. 10 vs. Detroit Mercy.
Michigan played with the wind at its back in the first half and dominated possession. In the 12th minute, a corner from junior Jack Hallahan was whipped to the back post for sophomore Jackson Ragen, but his header was saved by Wisconsin goalkeeper Dean Cowdroy.
In the 21st minute, off another corner kick, a Wisconsin defender was whistled for a handball inside the box, giving a penalty kick to Michigan. Ybarra, who already converted two PKs on the season, stepped up to take it and did so wonderfully, sending Cowdroy the wrong way for the goal. Of note in the first half was the return of Ivo Cerda, who played 15 minutes in his first action since Oct. 16.
WATCH: Marc Ybarra provided the offense from the spot, while the entire defense completely shut down Wisconsin's attack, sending us into Sunday's championship match with a 1-0 win on Friday. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/VVETEWKqUS
— Michigan Men's Soccer (@umichsoccer) November 10, 2018
The Wolverines had a few opportunities to pad the lead in the second half, but could not find the net. In the 53rd minute, junior Lucas Rosendall laid a ball off at the top of the box for senior Robbie Mertz, but his curled attempt was pushed slightly wide of the frame. In the next minute, Rosendall won a ball, beat a defender and got a one-on-one chance with Cowdroy, but Rosendall's low shot was saved by Wisconsin's keeper.
With 20 minutes remaining in the game, Wisconsin began to press and send numbers forward looking for the equalizer, but the Michigan defense stood tall, clearing every chance away from danger to secure the victory.
The Wolverines have another rematch on the horizon, when they face No. 2-ranked and top-seeded Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament championship on Sunday (Nov. 11) at Grand Park. The match will begin at noon and will be televised live on Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
Marc Ybarra (3)
MICH Marc Ybarra PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 3 for season.
20:38
