Michigan Suffers First Loss as Rally Falls Short Against Maryland

Thursday, March 11

Brighton, Mich.

11:00 AM

Michigan

3-1-0, 3-1-0

Maryland

2-3-0, 2-3-0

Maryland

Michigan

(Michigan Photography)

Michigan Suffers First Loss as Rally Falls Short Against Maryland

3/11/2021 1:32:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Brad Rudner

» Jackson Ragen scored a header goal in the 73rd minute to make it a one-goal game, but the Wolverines could not find the equalizing goal in a 2-1 loss to Maryland.
» The Wolverines played a man down for the majority of the match after goalkeeper Owen Finnerty was shown a straight red card in the eighth minute.

Site: Brighton, Mich. (Legacy Center)
Score: Maryland 2, #6 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (3-1-0), Maryland (2-3-0)
Next U-M Event: Monday, March 15 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 3 p.m.

BRIGHTON, Mich. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team put forth a herculean effort playing down a man for 83 minutes but ultimately fell short against Maryland, dropping a 2-1 decision Thursday (March 11) at the Legacy Center.

Senior Jackson Ragen scored a wonderful header goal off a corner kick in the 73rd minute to make it a one-goal game, but the Wolverines simply ran out of time to find the equalizer.

Action was fast and furious out of the gate. In the fifth minute, the referee called sophomore Harry Pithers for a hand ball in the box, awarding a penalty to the Terrapins. Joe Suchecki stepped up to the spot and took the attempt, but sophomore Owen Finnerty made a diving stop to his left for the save. The match tilted only two-and-a-half minutes later after Finnerty was issued a straight red card for a challenge outside the penalty area.

The visitors took advantage in the 15th minute on a goal from Mike Heitzmann.

Despite being down a man, the Wolverines kept pressing. In the 21st minute, senior Marc Ybarra took a free kick in a dangerous position. Pithers got a head to it and it spilled to freshman Bryce Blevins, but his shot was high of the frame. Sophomore Christian Pulselli got a header on net right before halftime, but it was corralled by Maryland goalkeeper Niklas Neumann.

In the 65th minute, junior Derick Broche laid off a great ball for Ybarra in the box. He was closed down in the penalty area by a host of Terrapins and went down, but no call was given. Maryland went up 2-0 in the 71st minute on goal from Paul Bin.

After Ragen's score to make it 2-1, the Wolverines went to three at the back and pushed numbers forward. Michigan had two chances to tie the game in the 80th minute: a Rogers shot off a corner kick that was blocked and a curling attempt from Ybarra that missed the net by inches.

Freshman Ethan Wood, who made his collegiate debut in place of Finnerty, made a diving save with seven minutes left to keep Michigan in the match. The last chance for the home side fell to junior Kevin Buca with under two minutes to play, but his shot from a tight angle was palmed over the bar by Neumann.

Michigan will return to action on Monday (March 15), visiting Ohio State for the first of two scheduled matches this spring season. First touch is slated for 3 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio.