Wolverines Shut Out California Baptist to Close Out Opening Weekend

Sunday, August 27

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

1-0-1, 0-0-0

California Baptist

0-2-0, 0-0-0

California Baptist

Michigan

Alex Waggoner (Michigan Photography)

Wolverines Shut Out California Baptist to Close Out Opening Weekend

8/27/2023 4:05:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Megan McIntosh

» Michigan earned its first win of the 2023 season with a 2-0 victory over California Baptist.
» Freshman Alex Waggoner scored his first career goal.
» Bryce Blevins netted his first goal of the season.
» U-M outshot California Baptist 20-7.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team notched its first win of the 2023 season with a 2-0 shutout of California Baptist on Sunday (Aug. 27) at U-M Soccer Stadium.

Freshman Alex Waggoner recorded his first career goal when he scored what turned out to be the game-winner in the 50th minute off a pass from Joao Paulo Ramos and senior Bryce Blevins gave the Wolverines (1-0-1) a security goal in the 62nd minute off a pass from Moshtaba Al-Hasnawi.

Michigan dominated most of the game as it outshot CBU 20-7, with nine shots on goal. Junior goalkeeper Hayden Evans made two saves in goal to record his first shutout of the season, and Waggoner paced the U-M offense with five shots on goal.

The Wolverines had a plethora of chances in the first half as they outshot California Baptist 12-3, with four shots on goal. Michigan's best opportunities came on back-to-back shots from Waggoner that were picked up by the keeper before U-M earned a corner kick in the 35th minute. Blevins' shot sailed wide of the left post to end the run in the Lancers' (0-2-0) defensive end.

Waggoner led the Wolverines with four shots on goal, while Blevins took three shots and Evans made one save in goal.

Michigan continued to dominate coming out of the halftime break as Waggoner scored on his first opportunity of the second half. The Wolverines battled to get the ball back on their defensive end before bringing it up the flank for Ramos. He dished a pass to Waggoner, who blasted a shot into the lower corner of the net to give Michigan a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute.

The Wolverines did not let up, following its goal with Michael Leon putting a shot on frame and Duilio Herrera following it up with a shot that sailed just wide in the 51st minute.

After back-to-back shot attempts from Leon were picked up by the keeper and a corner kick did not see a result, Al-Hasnawi pushed the ball up the field to Blevins who took a quick dribble and fired a shot into the upper-left corner of the net to put U-M up 2-0 in the 62nd minute.

Evans made one final save in the 77th minute and the Wolverines went on to victory.

The Wolverines will conclude their three-game homestand on Friday (Sept. 1) at 7 p.m. when they host Akron at U-M Soccer Stadium. The game is set to be streamed live on B1G+.