Michigan Wins Penalty Shootout, Advances to Big Ten Tournament Championship

Sunday, November 10

Bridgeview, Ill. (SeatGeek Stadium)

2:00 PM CT

Michigan

8-3-7, 2-3-5

UCLA

7-5-6, 3-4-3

Michigan

UCLA

(Big Ten Conference)

Michigan Wins Penalty Shootout, Advances to Big Ten Tournament Championship

11/10/2024 6:51:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Alex Whisnant

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The No. 7-seeded University of Michigan men's soccer team drew with No. 6-seeded UCLA, 1-1, and won the penalty kick shootout, 4-2, to advance to the Big Ten Tournament Championship on Sunday (Nov. 10) at SeatGeek Stadium.

The Wolverines will face No. 1-ranked and top-seeded Ohio State in the tournament final next Sunday (Nov. 17) at 3 p.m. in Columbus.

Ethan Wood shined in goal for the Maize and Blue, saving three shots in regulation and securing the win with two stops in the penalty shootout. Uriel Zeitz tallied the goal in regulation on assists from Bryce Blevins and Duilio Herrera. The score marked Zeitz's first goal of the season. Blevins notched his eighth assist of the year, and Herrera registered his second of 2024.

Much like the quarterfinal against second-seeded Indiana, Michigan (8-3-7) controlled the first half, outshooting UCLA 4-2, with two attempts finding the target. The Wolverines tallied the lone corner of the frame and maintained possession for much of the opening stanza.

Joao Paulo Ramos set the tone early with a shot on goal less than two minutes into the game. U-M found the breakthrough in the 21st minute as Blevins connected with Zeitz in the middle of the box, and Zeitz calmly slotted the ball into the net to put Michigan ahead. The Wolverine defense held firm, not allowing a shot attempt in the final 22 minutes of the half to preserve a 1-0 advantage at halftime.

UCLA (7-5-6) found the equalizer early in the second half, converting on a penalty in the 54th minute to tie the game at one. Michigan continued creating chances with four shots in the second half, but UCLA's goalkeeper held firm, sending the game to overtime. The Wolverines' best overtime opportunity came when Jason Bucknor's shot hit the post.

U-M carried momentum into the shootout and took an early lead as Blevins scored and Wood saved the first UCLA attempt. The Wolverines were clinical in their remaining attempts, with Ramos, Beto Soto, and Nolan Miller all converting their penalty kicks. Wood then sealed the victory with a decisive save, sending Michigan to the Big Ten Tournament final for the first time since 2019.