Michigan
5-2-3, 2-0-2
Northwestern
5-5-1, 1-2-1
Wolverines Ride Second-Half Scoring Spurt To Win Over Northwestern
10/6/2019 7:36:00 PM | Men's Soccer
» With its 3-0 win over Northwestern, U-M moved to second in the Big Ten (2-0-2, eight points). Indiana is atop the conference table (3-0-0, nine points).
» Carlos Tellez scored his first career goal, while Nebojsa Popovic and Umar Farouk Osman added goals.
» Michigan is unbeaten in its last six matches, and extended its shutout streak to 337:48.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 3, Northwestern 0
Records: U-M (5-2-3, 2-0-2 B1G), Northwestern (5-5-1, 1-2-1 B1G)
Attendance: 1,351
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, Oct. 9 -- vs. Detroit Mercy (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Second-half goals from junior Carlos Tellez, graduate student Nebojsa Popovic and junior Umar Farouk Osman lifted the University of Michigan men's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Northwestern on Sunday (Oct. 6) at U-M Soccer Stadium.
With the three points in tow, U-M moved into second in the Big Ten standings (eight points) behind Indiana, who sits at nine points after a win over Penn State on Sunday. The Wolverines moved their unbeaten streak to six matches and extended their shutout streak to 337:48.
The Wildcats did not have many opportunities, but had the first one of the match. In the 23rd minute, a long ball took a deflection off junior Austin Swiech, and Northwestern's Ty Seager ran in behind. He cut into the box to his left and curled one on-frame, but senior goalkeeper Andrew Verdi did well to save it, diving to his right to deflect it away. It was his only save of the match.
After a deadlocked first half, Michigan got on track offensively. In the 54th minute, senior Jack Hallahan sent an inswinging corner that met the head of junior Jackson Ragen. His effort went to the back post where Tellez stood, and flicked it into the net with his right foot to put the Wolverines ahead, 1-0. It was Tellez's first career goal.
GOOAALL! @umichsoccer Carlos Tellez sends it into the back of the net off of the header assist from Jackson Ragen!
— Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) October 6, 2019
Wolverines lead Northwestern 1-0! pic.twitter.com/S8rJJSsQNg
The Wolverines doubled their lead nearly four minutes later. Senior Abdou Samake won a header near the center circle that fell to Hallahan. He gave the ball to Popovic, who played a give-and-go with junior Marc Ybarra. Popovic received the pass and dribbled on the defense, turning the ball onto his left foot at the top of the box and firing a high shot that beat Northwestern goalkeeper Miha Miskovic, to put U-M up, 2-0, just under the hour mark.
Michigan put the match away in the 78th minute. Sophomore Kevin Buca flung a cross into the box that found Osman on the back post. He settled the ball and went five-hole, tucking it between Miskovic's legs and into the net for the goal, capping the scoring at 3-0.
The Wolverines had a 17-6 advantage in shots -- including 11 in the second half alone -- and dominated possession (59 percent).
Michigan will be back in action for a midweek non-conference match Wednesday (Oct. 9), when the Wolverines welcome Detroit Mercy to U-M Soccer Stadium. The match will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Team Stats
Carlos Tellez (1)
Assisted By: Jack Hallahan , Jackson Ragen
Off corner, 25 header to 6, right-footed volley.
53:54
Nebojsa Popovic (1)
Assisted By: Marc Ybarra
23 feed to 33 on breakaway, left-footed finish at top of the box.
57:53
Umar Farouk Osman (1)
Assisted By: Carlos Tellez , Kevin Buca
19 cross to box, 10 left-footed finish through keeper's legs.
77:05
