Michigan
1-1-0
South Florida
0-2-0
Zakyi, Mertz Score as Michigan Shuts Out South Florida
8/27/2018 10:19:00 PM | Men's Soccer
» Michigan recorded its first win of the season, defeating South Florida, 2-0, at U-M Soccer Stadium.
» Mohammed Zakyi scored his second goal in as many matches to put the home side up at halftime, while Robbie Mertz added an insurance goal in the second.
» Henry Mashburn played all 90 minutes in net, orchestrating a solid defensive performance to get the shutout.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: #21 Michigan 2, South Florida 0
Records: U-M (1-1-0), USF (0-2-0)
Attendance: 657
Next U-M Event: Friday, Aug. 31 -- vs. UC Riverside (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m. [ Tickets ]
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore Mohammed Zakyi scored his second goal in as many matches and senior Robbie Mertz added an insurance goal in the second half to propel the No. 21-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team to a 2-0 win over South Florida on Monday night (Aug. 27) at U-M Soccer Stadium.
Sophomore Henry Mashburn played all 90 minutes in goal for the shutout, recording one save while orchestrating an air-tight defensive effort that included two new starters in junior Abdou Samake (season debut) and sophomore Austin Swiech (first career start).
The visitors had two chances from distance in the early going of the match, but neither attempt posed any real danger to Mashburn. In the 20th minute, a South Florida foul gave Michigan a free kick right outside the area. Zakyi, who curled in a free kick from a similar spot on Friday, delivered again, bending in a shot to the top left corner past the diving attempt from Bulls keeper Harrison Devenish-Meares to put Michigan up 1-0.
The Wolverines nearly doubled that lead five minutes later. Swiech won a ball and found Mertz uncovered in the midfield. He put some power on a shot, but it was palmed away by Devenish-Mears. A turning point in the match came in the 42nd minute, as South Florida's Henrique Gallina picked up a red card, sending the Bulls down to 10 players.
Playing up a man, Michigan turned it on, possessing the ball and outshooting the Bulls by a 7-1 margin in the second half. The Wolverines doubled their lead in the 58th minute on a scoring chance that began via a beautiful outlet pass from sophomore Marc Ybarra. The Ann Arbor native found junior Jack Hallahan, who took it from out wide to the end line. He took one touch and curled in a cross across the face of the six-yard box where he found Mertz, who redirected the ball into the net with his head.
The Wolverines maintained the majority of possession from there, never letting South Florida back into the match. Several bench players saw minutes in the second half, including freshman Sosa Emovon, who was active around the box with two shots on frame.
The homestand continues this weekend, as Michigan returns to the pitch on Friday (Aug. 31), welcoming UC Riverside to U-M Soccer Stadium. First touch is at 7 p.m. It will mark the inaugural Pups at the Pitch match. A game ticket is required to attend, and owners must pre-register their dog by Thursday (Aug. 30) at 5 p.m. » More Information
Team Stats
Mohammed Zakyi (2)
Curler off free kick.
19:52
Robbie Mertz (1)
Assisted By: Jack Hallahan , Marc Ybarra
Header off cross.
57:58
