Michigan
8-3-6, 2-3-5
Indiana
10-4-5, 7-1-2
Michigan Tops Indiana to Advance to Semifinals of Big Ten Tournament
11/7/2024 4:51:00 PM | Men's Soccer
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- The No. 7-seeded University of Michigan men's soccer team topped No. 2-seeded and sixth-ranked Indiana, 1-0, on Thursday (Nov. 7) in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament at SeatGeek Stadium.
With the win, the Wolverines advance to Sunday's (Nov. 10) semifinals, where they will face UCLA at 2 p.m CST. The match will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
Jason Bucknor scored the decisive goal, his sixth of the season, to propel U-M to the win. Bryce Blevins notched his seventh assist on the score, upping his point total to a team-leading 17. The U-M defense limited the Indiana chances, allowing only one shot on target that was stopped by Isaiah Goldson. The win marks the first in program history over Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament.
Michigan (8-3-6) controlled the opening half, outshooting the Hoosiers 5-4, with three shots on target, without allowing an attempt on frame from Indiana. The Wolverines generated plenty of chances in attack, drawing three corners in the first 45 minutes.
Bucknor had the first scoring chance of the match in the fifth minute as he cleared the defense and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Bucknor's shot was saved, but the Maize and Blue set the tone early. Duilio Herrera made a long run into the opposing penalty box, but his shot was off target in the 26th minute. In the 30th minute, Blevins looped a ball down the right side of the pitch that found the running Bucknor, who took one dribble and fired a shot past Indiana's JT Harms and into the top-right corner of the net to break the deadlock and give Michigan the 1-0 edge at the half.
Michigan continued to press the Hoosier defense in the second half as Herrera created a chance that was saved by Indiana (10-4-5). Goldson stepped up in the 57th minute with a clutch save on a shot by Quinton Elliot. The Wolverine defense continued to prevent opportunities for Indiana, not allowing another shot on target after the 58th minute. As play entered the final 10 minutes, the Maize and Blue maintained possession and kept the ball in front to secure the opening round win, Michigan's eighth consecutive victory in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Team Stats
Jason Bucknor (6)
Assisted By: Bryce Blevins
GOAL by MICH Bucknor, Jason Assist by Blevins, Bryce.
29:44
