Weekly Release #5
9/19/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Saturday, Sept. 23 -- vs. Penn State (Elbel Field), 3 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 28 -- at Bowling Green State (Bowling Green, Ohio), 5 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 30 -- vs. Soccer Alumni (Elbel Field), 10 a.m. (exhibition)
This Week
The University of Michigan men's soccer team (3-2, 0-0 Big Ten) has all week to prepare for its Big Ten Conference opener against the second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday (Sept. 23) at 3 p.m. on Elbel Field. This will be the first Big Ten contest for Michigan as a varsity program.
Scouting the Opponents
Penn State -- The Nittany Lions, the No. 2 team in the NSCAA Coaches Poll, are undefeated at 6-0 this season. Last year, Penn State posted an overall record of 19-4-1, finishing second in the Big Ten with a 3-2 record. PSU has outscored its opponents 14-2 in six matches. Sophomore Ryan Sickman has four shutouts and a .846 save percentage for the season. Junior Derek Potteiger leads the team with 11 points, on five goals and one assist. PSU's offense has been the aggressors all season with 125 shots, while their opponents have only tallied 35. Nittany Lions on the Internet: www.GoPSUsports.com.
Last Week
Michigan went 1-1 last week, with a 2-0 home loss to Illinois-Chicago on Thursday (Sept. 14) and a 1-0 win over visiting Detroit on Sunday (Sept. 17).
The Wolverines had their second straight match in the rain and mud when they hosted the Flames of UIC. Michigan's tough defense and counter attacks frustrated the Flames throughout the first half, and the teams went into halftime scoreless. The Wolverines maintained their aggressive play in the second half, which led to a penalty kick and 1-0 lead for UIC. The Flames scored another goal late in the half to ice the game 2-0 after a low bouncing ball squeaked past diving senior goalkeeper Albert Geldres (St. Clair, Mich./Detroit Country Day Prep).
On Sunday at Elbel Field, it took all afternoon but Michigan finally seized an opportunity with just half a minute left in regulation to win 1-0 over the visiting Detroit Titans. Freshman Kevin Taylor (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) converted a penalty kick at the 89:30 mark for the victory. Geldres, who recorded his second shutout of the season, was only tested twice on goal due to the aggressive defensive backfield. The Wolverines limited Detroit to six shots (one in the first half) and only two on goal.
Steady in Goal
Albert Geldres had two saves against Detroit while recording his second career shutout. He has 19 saves and a .731 save percentage for the season in 454:24 minutes.
Nice Aim
Kevin Taylor is now 2-for-2 on penalty kicks for the season. His goal against Detroit was Taylor's first game-winning goal of his career.
Close Calls
With Michigan's victory over the Detroit Titans (Sept. 18) the Wolverines have now won two games by a score of 1-0 (DePaul, Sept. 1).
Flames Burn Maize and Blue
UIC made four saves to shut out the Wolverines (Sept. 14). The game marked the first time the Maize and Blue have been shut out in their inaugural season. With zero goals in the first half, Michigan's streak of five consecutive periods with a goal also came to an end.
Scoring Leaders
Five games into the season, Michigan has three players tied for the team scoring lead with four points. Freshmen Kevin Taylor and Tom Gritter (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) lead the team with two goals apiece. Freshman Ian Hirschfield (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Pine Crest HS) has one goal and two assists for the year.
Championship Experience
The Maize and Blue roster includes 12 players from last year's U-M club team: Andrew Balazer, Albert Geldres, Dave George, Steve Huber, JJ Kern, Matt Murch, Pat Murphy, Brian Peters, Will Purdy, Jack Stead, Steve Walton and Ryan Yoder. Michigan won back-to-back club national titles in 1997 and 1998, led by current varsity coach Steve Burns.
Been a While
Michigan men's soccer is in its first season after being granted varsity status in March 1999. The last Michigan men's sport to be added as a varsity program was men's gymnastics in 1948.
Contact: Steve Grialou (734) 763-4423
