Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
9-3-4,2-2-1Big Ten
Michigan
10-5-1,2-3-0Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | OT 3 | OT 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Wildcats Edged By Wolverines 1-0 in Double Overtime
11/1/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 1, 2009
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -
No. 12 Northwestern dropped a tough 1-0 double-overtime decision Sunday afternoon at Michigan. The Wolverines got the game-winner with 8:06 remaining in the second extra session.
The loss dropped the Wildcats to 9-3-4 overall and 2-2-1 in Big Ten play, while Michigan improves to 10-5-1 and 2-3-0.
The contest was a defensive struggle early on as it took until there were 18 minutes remaining in the opening half before either team had a quality chance. Matt Eliason controlled a long service and fired a left-footed blast, but Michigan keeper Chris Blais was able to make a diving stop.
Northwestern again nearly cashed in three minutes later as Eliason's service from right flank found the foot of a streaking Oliver Kupe six yards out, but his shot missed just over the top of the cage.
The Wildcats' best opportunity of the first half came with 11 minutes left as Kupe made a great move around a Wolverine defender to get loose at the top of the six-yard box, but again Blais was able to get a paw on the shot to keep the game scoreless.
Michigan's only real chance of the first half came in the 45th minute as Mauro Fuzetti got a solid shot off from 25 yards. However, Misha Rosenthal was up to the task as he made a diving save to turn the hosts away.
Rosenthal also made a tremendous play 13 minutes into the second half as he reached high into the air to save Jeff Quijano's header over the crossbar.
Northwestern came inches away from taking the lead with a little over eight minutes remaining in regulation. After the Wildcats earned a corner kick, Piero Bellizzi's service found the head of Drew Pavlovich at the near side but the shot clanged off the far post.
Neither team was able to tally throughout the remainder of regulation and through the first overtime. But Michigan would eventually cash in, just under two minutes into the second extra stanza. Rosenthal was able to stop an initial shot and Northwestern defenders saved the next two shots from going in, but a third rebound came to Matt Schmitt who was able to find the back of the net.
NU finished with a slim 16-15 advantage in shots and an 8-4 edge in corner kicks.
Northwestern returns to action at 5 p.m. Saturday as it closes out its regular season at home against Michigan State.
Team Stats
Schmitt,Matt (2)
rebound off of a blocked shot
101:54
