Cerda's Golden Goal Lifts U-M to Gritty OT Win Over Western Michigan

Friday, September 7

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

3-1-0

Western Michigan

1-4-0

OT 2

Western Michigan

Michigan

Cerda's Golden Goal Lifts U-M to Gritty OT Win Over Western Michigan

9/7/2018 11:26:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Brad Rudner

» Senior co-captain Ivo Cerda scored the golden goal in the 98th minute to lift the Wolverines to a 3-2 overtime victory over Western Michigan on Friday at U-M Soccer Stadium.
» Umar Farouk Osman and Jackson Ragen added goals, while Robbie Mertz, Jack Hallahan and Marc Ybarra tallied assists.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 3, Western Michigan 2 (OT)
Records: U-M (3-1-0), Western Michigan (1-4-0)
Attendance: 2,245
Next U-M Event: Monday, Sept. 10 -- vs. Marquette (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m. [ TICKETS ]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior co-captain Ivo Cerda scored the golden goal in the 98th minute to lift the University of Michigan men's soccer team to a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over Western Michigan on Friday (Sept. 7) in front of a crowd of 2,245 at U-M Soccer Stadium.

Sophomores Umar Farouk Osman and Jackson Ragen added goals to the scoresheet, while senior Robbie Mertz, junior Jack Hallahan and sophomore Marc Ybarra tallied assists. Sophomore Henry Mashburn played the entire match in goal, making one save.

It was a clash of styles throughout the match with Michigan's possession-based game winning out. The Wolverines jumped out in front early, as Osman scored in the 13th minute. Off a throw in on the far side of the field, Mertz sent in a cross to the 18-yard box for Osman, who took a shot that deflected off a Western Michigan defender, crossed up goalkeeper Lukas Von Lienen and found the net for a 1-0 lead.

The remainder of the first half presented near misses for the home side. In the 35th minute, sophomore Mohammed Zakyi nearly scored on a brilliant chance, but his volley at the back post – which followed an attempted clear from Western Michigan -- skimmed just wide of the net. Four minutes later, senior Daniel Mukuna tried finishing off a loose ball in the box off a corner kick, but his attempt was cleared off the line by a Western Michigan defender.

Western Michigan was awarded a free kick in a dangerous area in the 52nd minute, but Ybarra was in the right place to put a body on a would-be attacker, allowing the crossed ball to sail harmlessly beyond the goal. In the 60th minute, Von Lienen mishandled a corner kick, allowing Zakyi a chance to put one on frame, though his turnaround attempt went wide.

The Wolverines added to their total in the 65th minute. After junior Lucas Rosendall was awarded a free kick on the far side, Ybarra stepped up and sent in a pristine service to the back post for Ragen, who rose to head it into the net past Von Lienen. It was Ragen's first goal of the season.

The Broncos scored two goals in a span of 10 minutes to tie the match at 2. A turning point came less than 90 seconds before overtime, as Broncos defender Ben Thornton -- the game-tying goal scorer -- was issued a red card for interfering with Mashburn, putting Michigan up a man. The Wolverines had one final chance to end the game in regulation, but Zakyi's header with three seconds left went wide of the mark.

Up a man, Michigan pressed forward and found success in the 98th minute. Hallahan won a ball and made a run down the right side of the field, sending in a service to the box where Cerda was waiting. His right-footed strike got on top of the ball on the volley, placing it into the lower-left corner of the net for the winner, sending the U-M Soccer Stadium into a frenzy and motivating the Michigan Ultras to rush the field in celebration.

The Wolverines close out their six-match homestand on Monday (Sept. 10), welcoming Marquette to U-M Soccer Stadium. First touch is at 7:30 p.m. It will be National Team Jersey Night, which means fans wearing the jersey in support of their national team will gain free admission to the match. Tickets are available here or by calling the Michigan Athletics Ticket Office at (866) 296-MTIX.