No. 3 Hoosiers Blank Michigan in Ann Arbor, 2-0

Wednesday, September 14

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:00 PM

Indiana University

4-0-2, 1-0-1

Michigan

0-3-3, 0-2-0

Indiana

Michigan

No. 3 Hoosiers Blank Michigan in Ann Arbor, 2-0

9/14/2016 9:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 3-ranked Indiana University men's soccer team took down the Michigan Wolverines, 2-0, at the U-M Soccer Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Wednesday night.

With the victory, Indiana (4-0-2, 1-0-1 Big Ten) remains unbeaten through the team's first six games for the first time since 2011 and for the 12^th time in program history. Michigan falls to 0-3-3 on the season overall and to 0-2-0 in league play.

Richard Ballard recorded his team-leading third goal of the season to go with an assist, while Billy McConnell scored the game-winning goal for the Hoosiers. Rashad Hyacenth and Jack Griffith tallied assists for Indiana in the win.

IU goalkeeper Colin Webb posted his third shutout of the season, making four saves. Webb has now recorded 31 shutouts in his career, tying him for ninth all-time in school history.

In the 18^th minute, the Hoosiers had their first chance of the match. Working on the left side, Tanner Thompson sent a great cross to the far post, finding the head of Hyacenth, but the junior's effort missed just wide and out for a goal kick.

In the 27^th minute, the Hoosiers jumped on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead. From the right side, Hyacenth sent the ball in to the middle of the 18-yard box, finding the head of Ballard who played the ball towards goal. McConnell was there to clean up the scrum, tapping in the goal from two-feet away for his first goal of the season.

Later in the first half, Webb made a spectacular save to maintain IU's 1-0 lead. Off a free kick, Michigan's header seemed destined to equalize, but Webb made a fingertip, diving save at the far post, deflecting the ball underneath the crossbar where it was cleared out by the Hoosier defense.

After 45 minutes, Indiana held a 1-0 lead at Michigan. Shots in the first half were 5-4 in favor of the Wolverines, but shots on goal were 2-1 for IU. The Hoosiers also held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.

In the 78^th minute, the Hoosiers sealed the road win with a second score. Running down the left side of the pitch, Andrew Gutman played a beautiful ball across the field, finding Griffith. The redshirt sophomore's shot was saved by the U-M goalkeeper, but the rebound fell to the foot of Ballard, who smashed home the goal from eight yards out to the far right post.

With the victory, IU improves to 19-2-0 in the team's last 21 Big Ten road openers dating back to 1996. In the overall history with the Wolverines, IU now leads the series 19-3-1.

The Hoosiers will return to Bloomington to host Northwestern in a Big Ten match on Sunday, Sept. 18. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET at Jerry Yeagley Field at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

For all the latest on Indiana University men's soccer, be sure to follow the team at @IUMensSoccer on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.