Indiana University
Michigan
No. 17 Indiana Drops 1-0 Decision to Michigan
10/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 4, 2008
Box Score
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Michigan Wolverines needed less than two minutes to score what would be the only goal of the match in a 1-0 victory over No. 17 Indiana Saturday night at Jerry Yeagley Field at Armstrong Stadium.
With the loss the Hoosiers are now 5-3-2 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play. Michigan improved to 8-2-2, 1-0-1 Big Ten.
"You have to play for 90 minutes and take your chances when you have them," said head coach Mike Freitag. "You can't slip up and find yourself chasing the game from the get-go."
Jake Stacy gave the Wolverines all the scoring they would need at 1:18. Alex Morisset sent in a long service to the back post, and the ball floated over the IU defense to land within Stacy's reach. The senior forward send a shot across his body to the open right side of the net for the lone goal of the match.
Stacy's game-winning score gave Michigan its first-ever victory in the series as the Hoosiers now lead the all-time meetings, 10-1-1.
After a sluggish start the Hoosiers picked up the pace but were unable to capitalize on several golden scoring opportunities. At 19:25, Lee Hagedorn broke free and collected a thru ball from John Mellencamp, but UM goalkeeper Patrick Sperry got a hand on Hagedorn's shot and deflected to his own defender who cleared the ball out.
Brad Ring had seven of the team's 20 shots, including a blazing shot from 20 yards out with just over 21 minutes in the first half that Sperry was able to control. Ring had another on-goal look at 34:25 which Sperry saved by diving to his right.
"This team is not going to get negative," Freitag said. "We are keeping a positive focus. I know what this team can do, and good things will happen."
With the first half winding down, Indiana came up short once again as Will Bruin got his head on the end of an Andy Adlard corner kick but saw his effort bounce off the cross bar and back into the field of play.
It looked as if IU would get a goal back in the 63rd minute as a scramble ensued in front of the Michigan net. Sperry came forward to gather in a serve but the ball got knocked loose by a charging Indiana attack. The ball bounced around before landing at the foot of Ring. Ring was not in the best position to take a shot but made an attempt with the side of his foot that a Michigan defender was able to kick out.
"We had a lot of shots, but no goal," Ring said. "You can dominate the chances and possession, but if you don't put it in the net it means nothing. We have to find a way to win."
Indiana had a 20-9 advantage in shots but just five of those 20 shots were on goal. The Hoosier also held a 6-1 lead in corner kicks.
The Hoosiers break from league action as they travel north to face in-state foe Butler on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
