Michigan
1-1-1, 0-0-0
Duke
3-0-0, 0-0-0
No. 24 Duke Defeats Michigan in Hard-Fought, Even-Played Battle
9/2/2021 10:13:00 PM | Men's Soccer
» Michigan had seven shots with two on goal.
» The U-M defense held Duke to just 12 shots, cutting its average nearly in half.
» The Wolverines will be back in action Monday at U-M Soccer Stadium.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: #24 Duke 1, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (1-1-1), Duke (3-0-0)
Next U-M Event: Monday, Sept. 6 -- vs. Loyola Chicago (U-M Soccer Stadium), 4 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team battled against No. 24-ranked Duke, but fell 1-0 to the Blue Devils on Thursday night (Sept. 2) at U-M Soccer Stadium.
The Wolverines (1-1-1) and Duke (3-0-0) played even almost entirely throughout the match, with the Michigan defense allowing Duke just 12 shots, cutting the Blue Devils' shot-attempt average (20.5) nearly in half.
Duke scored the lone goal in the 57th minute, and Michigan looked to even the score with multiple opportunities late in the game, but was unable to find the tying goal.
Bryce Blevins and Michael Leon had two shots each for the Maize and Blue, while Derick Broche along with Blevins put one on frame apiece.
Goalkeeper Owen Finnerty made a season-high five saves on the night in his second start of the season.
Leon had two opportunities in the first five minutes of the match, before Finnerty made a huge punching save in the 13th minute to keep the match scoreless.
Blevins put a shot on frame just three minutes later, and Broche put a ball on goal that forced the Duke keeper to the ground, but the match remained without a tally through the remainder of the first half. The teams headed to the locker rooms scoreless.
Michigan and Duke took five shots each over the first 45 minutes.
The Blue Devils found the lone goal of the match in the 57th minute on a header from four yards out off a pass inside the 18-yard box.
In the 70th minute of the match, Jason Bucknor came up with a huge defensive play for the Wolverines when he back-checked in the Blue Devils offensive half of the field to swing the possession in favor of the Wolverines.
Michigan earned two corners and a free kick in the 84th minute but was unable to capitalize on the chances as Duke held onto a 1-0 lead with just over five minutes to play.
The Wolverines continued to create chances in the closing minutes, but were unable to find the tying goal.
Michigan will be back in action Monday (Sept. 6) when it hosts Loyola Chicago for a 4 p.m. contest. The match will be Dollar Day at U-M Soccer Stadium, with general admission seats and select concession stand items available for just $1.
Team Stats
Ruben Mesalles (1)
Assisted By: Conor Kelly
GOAL by DUKE Mesalles, Ruben Assist by Kelly, Conor.
57:15
