Michigan
3-2-1, 0-0-0
Oakland
3-2-1, 1-0-0
Hallahan, Popovic Provide Offense in Shutout Win Over Oakland
9/17/2019 10:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer
» Michigan got back in the win column on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Oakland at U-M Soccer Stadium.
» Jack Hallahan opened the scoring in the 12th minute, his first goal of the season.
» Three minutes later, Nebojsa Popovic -- an ex-Oakland player -- made it 2-0 after he lobbed a ball over the head of Oakland goalkeeper Sullivan Lauderdale.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 2, Oakland 0
Records: U-M (3-2-1), Oakland (3-2-1)
Attendance: 336
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Sept. 21 -- vs. Rutgers (U-M Soccer Stadium), 3 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team scored twice in the first 15 minutes in a 2-0 win over in-state foe Oakland on Tuesday (Sept. 17) at U-M Soccer Stadium. Senior Jack Hallahan scored his first goal of the season, while graduate student Nebojsa Popovic -- a three-year starter for Oakland from 2016-18 -- tallied the second, providing the offense for the Wolverines.
Popovic also was credited with an assist on Hallahan's opening goal and gave him a team-best 11 points through six matches. Senior Abdou Samake and juniors Jackson Ragen and Umar Farouk Osman also provided assists on Tuesday.
Senior Andrew Verdi played all 90 minutes in net and made two saves for his second shutout of the season.
The Wolverines jumped on Oakland early and opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Osman played a ball down the left flank to Popovic, who crossed it into the box. Oakland goalkeeper Sullivan Lauderdale spilled it out to a wide-open Hallahan, whose left-footed shot made its way through traffic and into the back corner of the net. Hallahan had 20 shots in the first five matches and added another eight on Tuesday.
A little more than three minutes later, U-M got on the board again. The play started from out of the back, as Samake lofted a ball downfield for Popovic. He split the center backs and Lauderdale came off his line to challenge, but Popovic beat him to the spot and lobbed a shot over Lauderdale's head for his fourth goal of the season.
Though that proved to be the only scoring of the match, U-M kept pressing in the first half. In the 25th minute, Osman dribbled through the Oakland defense and fired one on goal, but a Golden Grizzly defender cleared it off the line. In the 32nd minute, Hallahan nearly had a second, but his left-footed curler to the back post was punched away by Lauderdale.
The Wolverines took nine shots in the first half, eight of which were on-frame.
The second half was open for both sides. Perhaps Oakland's best chance came in the 68th minute on a free kick in the offensive third. It was hit softly in, but Verdi, who hugged the near post, grabbed it and kept the ball ahead of the line despite his momentum carrying him backward.
Michigan nearly added a third goal in the 86th minute from Hallahan, who hit the post on a breakaway attempt. Despite the pressure from the Golden Grizzlies in the second half, the Wolverines saw the match out as it allowed only five shots (two on-goal).
The Wolverines will open Big Ten play on Saturday (Sept. 21), when they host Rutgers at U-M Soccer Stadium. First touch is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the match is part of Backyard Soccer Day, which will feature a poster giveaway for the first 250 fans and postgame autographs on the field. Additionally, Kids Go Blue Club members will receive free admission to the match.
Team Stats
Jack Hallahan (1)
Assisted By: Umar Farouk Osman , Nebojsa Popovic
33 cross punched by keeper to 11, finished left foot through traffic
11:13
Nebojsa Popovic (1)
Assisted By: Abdou Samake , Jackson Ragen
5 long ball to 33, chipped GK
14:27
