Michigan Soccer Continues Roller Coaster Season

RS freshman Colin McAtee leads the team wtih 6 goals [Paul Sherman/Michigan Daily]

Columbia 3 – Michigan 0

Michigan travelled to New York to take on Columbia after two home matches and suffered their second loss of the season. Michigan fell behind early and gave up two goals in the first 20 minutes. Rhys Williams scored for the Lions in the 8^th minute while Francisco Agrest scored Columbia’s second, beating freshman Evan Louro from 20 yards out.

The match was delayed due to lightning in the second half. Immediately following the break, Williams scored his second of the day to put the match away. Michigan, despite 11 corner kicks and four shots on target, were unable to get onto the score sheet for the second time this season.

Michigan 1 - #12 Maryland 1

Michigan’s biggest match of the young season featured visiting #12 Maryland in their first ever B1G match at the Michigan Soccer Complex. Adam Grinwis made his return to goal after Louro started at Columbia.

Michigan started off the match well and were able to control much of the possession and chances early on. William Mellors-Blair was especially active on the left side and was Michigan’s best offensive player for much of the match.

The match was goalless going into the second half but Michigan immediately put pressure again but Maryland’s defenders were able to clear the ball off the line after a Zach Steffen save. Michigan’s go ahead goal came from a Rylee Woods free kick wherein James Murphy was able to head the ball into the back of the net past Steffen to put Michigan ahead. Maryland ramped up pressure in the final fifteen minutes and Michigan was forced into simply clearing the ball down the field and absorbing the attack.

Michigan nearly added a second goal with three minutes left on the clock when Ahinga Selemani was stopped by Steffen on a breakaway chance after a swift counterattack by Michigan. It proved to be a big moment for what was ahead.

A failed clearance on the right side of the Michigan defense allowed Alex Crognale to find David Kabelik, who calmly slotted it past Grinwis with just 22 seconds remaining to force overtime.

The two ten minute overtime were mostly uneventful with Grinwis making one save for Michigan on a 20 yard effort from Mael Corboz.

Murphy was Michigan’s best player for most of the match and deserved Man of the Match even without his headed goal. Michigan’s back four played well other than the breakdown right at the end, which allowed Maryland level the match. Yamannn Sahlool came off the bench for Michigan and played well holding up the ball and allowing Michigan’s wingers and midfielders to run in behind him.

Michigan was the better team for most of the match and had to be disappointed by not beating Maryland. A draw against Maryland (who has since fallen out of the Top 25) is still a good result.

Bowling Green 1 –Michigan 0

Michigan hosted Bowling Green on Tuesday night in non-conference action, falling 1-0. Michigan outshot Bowling Green 20-10 but were again unable to find the back of the net.

A 17^th minute goal from Bowling Green’s Pat Flynn on a swift counter-attack proved to be the difference in the match. Bowling Green absorbed the Michigan attack with a counter-attacking style and was happy to play long balls over the top of Michigan’s defense to create chances.

Michigan’s inability to score goals plagued them again in this match. Michigan managed 20 shots on goal but only forced five saves from Falcon keeper Nick Landsberger. Freshman goalie Evan Louro also stopped five shots for Michigan, as coach Chaka Daley continues to use two keepers early this season.

Michigan falls to 1-3-1 on the season and 0-0-1 in B1G play while Bowling Green improved to 5-1-0 on the year.

Northwestern 0 – Michigan 0

Michigan travelled to Evanston to take on Northwestern on Sunday, September 21st but were forced to settle for a scoreless draw.

Michigan’s defense certainly did their job and did not allow a shot on goal. Michigan managed five shots on net but were unable to convert and find a winner. Adam Grinwis started in net and recorded his 13th

Penn St 1 – Michigan 0

Michigan hosted #7 Penn State but were unable to get on the scoreboard once again. A Connor Maloney goal in the 57^th minute proved to be the difference in the match.

Michigan again outshot their oppoenents (14-13, and 10-6 in the second half) but were unable to find the back of the net. Adam Grinwis started and played 79 minutes before giving way to Freshman goalkeeper Evan Louro.

Marcos Ugarte returned from a leg injury to play 21 minutes as a substitute.

Western Michigan 1 – Michigan 0 (OT)

Western Michigan scored a Golden Goal in the 97^th minute to defeat Michigan 1-0 at the Michigan Soccer Complex. The Wolverines were held scoreless for the fourth straight match.

Bronco forward Connor Ferguson scored the match winner seven minutes into Overtime and Michigan dropped their second consecutive match, moving them to 1-5-2 on the season. Evan Louro started in goal for Michigan and made four saves.

Michigan 2 – Wisconsin 1 (OT)

Michigan bounced back after a rough stretch to win their first B1G match of the season on a Golden Goal from Sophomore Rylee Woods in the 99^th minute.

Michigan fell behind in the 80^th minute when Wisconsin substitute Jacob Brindle scored but Michigan midfielder James Murphy immediately struck back three minutes later to level the match.

Michigan moved to 2-5-1 and 1-1-2 in B1G play and the win marked the first road win for the Wolverines this season. Wisconsin falls to 1-7-1 and 0-3- in B1G Ten play after making the NCAA Tournament last season.

Michigan 3 - #7 Notre Dame 2

Michigan returned home to face defending National Champion Notre Dame and a hat trick from winger Colin McAtee was enough to down the Irish.

Evan Louro started in net for Michigan as Head Coach Chaka Daley continues to shuffle the goalkeepers. McAtee beat Notre Dame keeper Patrick Wall on a header in the 21^st minute to give Michigan a 1-0 lead and was assisted by Tyler Anderson. Just 45 seconds later, he banged home an 18 yard shot off a Tyler Arnone ball into the middle of the field.

Notre Dame crawled back into the match in the second half with goals from Jeffrey Farina (64^th minute) and Patrick Hodan (68^th minute) and the match looked to be headed to overtime.

However, an 83^rd minute corner kick allowed McAtee to net his third goal in the match and fifth on the season to seal the win for Michigan and upset the #7 ranked Irish.

Michigan improved to 3-5-2 on the season and picked up their second consecutive win.

Michigan 3 – Rutgers 0

Junior Transfer William Mellors-Blair has looked dangerous all season long but showed his scoring ability with two goals to down Rutgers on a Saturday night in New Jersey. Additionally, he assisted the other goal, a strike by Colin McAtee. All three Michigan goals were scored in the first half and the defense closed down and held Rutgers to only two shots on goal. Adam Grinwis recorded a clean sheet for Michigan in net.

Akron 3 – Michigan 0

Michigan’s winning streak was ended by Akron on a rainy October night in Ohio. Akron got on the board early and never looked back. Stuart Holhusen beat Evan Louro just six minutes into the match and then Adam Najem converted a penalty 15 minutes into the match.

Michigan only managed two shots on goal and Akron added a third goal with 1:38 left on the clock.

Michigan 0 – Detroit 0

Michigan was held goalless for the second straight game as Detroit’s defense frustrated Michigan all night long. Michigan doubled Detroit’s shots on goal 8-4 but were unable to beat Nathan Steinwascher and were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw after 110 minutes. Evan Louro recorded the shutout for Michigan in net.

Michigan is 4-6-3 overall and 2-1-2 in B1G play.

Bullets

Midfielder Marcos Ugarte injured his knee in the Maryland match and did not return. He made his return as a sub against Penn St.

Chaka Daley continues to juggle Freshman Evan Louro and Redshirt Senior Adam Grinwis in goal.

Michigan’s student section was full for the Maryland match and even included a (NOT permitted) smoke bomb after Michigan scored.

I spoke with Tab Ramos (Coach of the US U-20 National Team) and asked him about Evan Louro, who was invited to their camp earlier this month in Argentina but declined due to classes starting.

“Evan is a goalkeeper who we like a lot…” Ramos said of the true Freshman Louro.

Senior Captain Tyler Arnone has been named a Finalist for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible, a student must have notable achievements in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition. The 10 finalists were narrowed down from a pool of 30 by a media committee. Fans can vote here for Arnone. Fan votes will constitute 1/3 of the total outcome. Arnone currently leads with 25.7% of the vote.

Upcoming

Home vs #8 Indiana

Sunday, October 26th at 12pm

Indiana is coming off a 1-0 win over #1 Notre Dame on October 22. They are 9-2-3 overall and 2-2-1 in B1G play.

B1G Standings as of 10/22