Hallahan Leads Wolverines to Huge Road Win at Maryland

Sunday, November 3

College Park, Md.

3:00 PM

Michigan

9-4-4, 4-1-3

Maryland

9-6-2, 3-2-2

Michigan

Maryland

Jack Hallahan (Greg Fiume photo)

Hallahan Leads Wolverines to Huge Road Win at Maryland

11/3/2019 6:14:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Brad Rudner

» The Wolverines rallied from two separate one-goal deficits, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half to beat No. 17 Maryland, 4-2, in College Park.
» With the win, U-M finished in the top three of the Big Ten for the third consecutive year (15 points, 4-1-3) and added a vital road result to its NCAA Tournament resume.
» Jack Hallahan had five points on the day (two goals, one assist), while Derick Broche had three points off the bench (one goal, one assist). Mohammed Zakyi also added a goal for U-M.

Site: College Park, Md. (Ludwig Field)
Score: Michigan 4, #17 Maryland 2
Records: U-M (9-4-4, 4-1-3 B1G), Maryland (9-6-2, 3-3-2 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 10 -- vs. Michigan State - Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals (U-M Soccer Stadium), Time TBA

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team fought back from two separate one-goal deficits, scoring three unanswered second-half goals to beat No. 17 Maryland, 4-2, in the regular-season finale at Ludwig Field on Sunday (Nov. 3). Senior Jack Hallahan tallied five points on the night, scoring two goals and adding an assist in the victory over the defending national champions.

With the win, U-M secured a top-three finish in the Big Ten for the third consecutive season (15 points, 4-1-3) and earned the right to host a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal match next Sunday (Nov. 10) at U-M Soccer Stadium against No 6-seeded Michigan State. The victory also adds a vital result to the Wolverines' NCAA Tournament resume, as they now have three away results against RPI Top-25 teams: wins at Maryland (No. 18 RPI) and Notre Dame (No. 19 RPI), as well as a draw at Penn State (No. 10 RPI).

The Terrapins got off to the fast start, going up 1-0 in the fifth minute on a goal from Eric Matzelevich, who tapped in a cross at the back post.

The Wolverines answered right back and leveled the match through junior Mohammed Zakyi. A corner kick sent into the box was headed by junior Joel Harrison straight toward the net. Junior Jackson Ragen fought off contact from Maryland goalkeeper Niklas Neumann and headed the ball straight up into the air, and Zakyi pokeed it home with his head.

Maryland regained the lead in the 13th minute, as Eli Crognale headed it home to put the Terrapins up 2-1.

After an open first 15 minutes, Michigan settled into the match from there and dominated possession, attacking Maryland on the flanks and forcing its defense to work. In the 20th minute, Hallahan crossed a lovely ball into the six-yard box for Zakyi, who cut in front of his defender and sent a right-footed volley high of the frame. Four minutes later, junior Marc Ybarra played a ball out to graduate student Nebojsa Popovic on the right side of the box, but his shot went high into the side-netting.

The Wolverines came out of halftime and completely blitzed the Terrapins. A little over a minute into the second half, freshman Derick Broche brought U-M level once again, heading home a cross by Hallahan past the Neumann's outstretched arms. Three minutes later, freshman goalkeeper Owen Finnerty made a save at the near post, going down to his right to deny Matzelevich.

Michigan took the lead for good in the 55th minute. Broche kept the ball in play on the far side of the field near the corner flag. Not under any pressure, he whipped a cross into the box for Hallahan, who was unmarked. The Englishman ran onto it cleanly and headed it down into the net off the crossbar, putting U-M up 3-2.

The Wolverines kept applying pressure. In the 64th minute, Hallahan found himself wide open just outside the box and unleashed a curling left-footed attempt that fell just wide of the post. Zakyi nearly made it four in the 73rd minute, but his left-footed volley was denied by Neumann, who got just enough of it with his left foot.

Maryland poured numbers forward in the final minutes, but the Michigan defense stood tall. In the final minute of play, Matzelevich fired a shot aimed at the top-right corner, but Finnerty beat him to the spot, making a leaping save to keep Michigan in front. With Neumann out of his box and up the field, the Wolverines cleared the ensuing corner kick and fed it to Hallahan, who dribbled beyond midfield and shot it into an open net with eight seconds left, capping the scoring at 4-2.

With the regular season over, U-M turns its sights to the postseason and the Big Ten Tournament, which begins next Sunday (Nov. 10) vs. Michigan State at U-M Soccer Stadium. Game time will be announced Monday.