Weekly Release #13
11/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Big Ten Championship Schedule
(Hosted by Penn State University at State College, Pa.; Times are EST)
Thursday, Nov. 14 First Round
Game 1 -- #3 seed Ohio State vs. #6 seed Michigan State -- 11 a.m.
Game 2 -- #4 seed Penn State vs. #5 seed Wisconsin -- 1:30 p.m.
Game 3 -- #2 seed Michigan vs. #7 seed Northwestern -- 4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 15 Semifinals
Game 4 -- #1 seed Indiana vs. Game 2 winner -- 5 p.m.
Game 5 -- Game 3 winner vs. Game 1 winner -- 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 17 Championship
Game 6 -- Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner -- 2 p.m.
This Week: Big Ten Championship ...
The University of Michigan men's soccer team (9-6-2, 3-3 Big Ten) will head to State College, Pa., for the Big Ten Championship (Nov. 14-17) on Jeffrey Field. Michigan enters the conference tournament as the No. 2 seed, its highest in three years of varsity competition. The Wolverines will face No. 7 seed Northwestern at 4 p.m. on Thursday (Nov. 14). The Maize and Blue defeated the Wildcats 5-0 (Oct. 27) in Evanston, Ill., during the regular season. If the Wolverines beat the Wildcats, they will face the winner of No. 3 seed Ohio State and No. 6 seed Michigan State Friday (Nov. 15) at 7:30 p.m. The championship game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff on Sunday (Nov. 17), with the winner earning an automatic bid the NCAA Championship (Nov. 22-Dec. 17).
Setting the Stage ...
Michigan opened the 2002 Big Ten season with an 0-3 record with one-goal setbacks to Penn State (1-0, Sept. 22), Indiana (2-1 OT, Oct. 6) and Michigan State (2-1, Oct. 13). The Wolverines responded with three consecutive victories over conference competition with wins over Wisconsin (3-2, Oct. 20), Northwestern (5-0, Oct. 27) and Ohio State (1-0 OT, Nov. 3). Indiana led the conference with a record of 6-0 to earn the top spot and Northwestern finished 0-6 to claim to the seventh seed, but the five other Big Ten schools finished with records identical to Michigan at 3-3.
After the first tiebreaker (head-to-head record) was unable to set the seedings, the second tiebreaker (conference goal differential) was used. Michigan earned the No. 2 seed with a +4 goal differential (11-7) while Ohio State claimed the No. 3 seed with a goal difference of +1 (8-7), following a 2-0 victory over Northwestern (Nov. 9). Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State were seeded No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 with goal differences of 0 (5-5), -3 (8-11) and -5 (7-12), respectively.
Final Regular-Season Big Ten Standings ...
Big Ten Pts. Overall GF GA Indiana 6-0-0 18 14-2-2 19 5 MICHIGAN 3-3-0 9 9-6-2 11 7 Ohio State 3-3-0 9 11-6-1 8 7 Penn State 3-3-0 9 11-7-0 5 5 Wisconsin 3-3-0 9 9-9-0 8 11 Michigan State 3-3-0 9 11-6-0 7 12 Northwestern 0-6-0 0 8-11-0 1 12
Michigan's Big Ten Championship History
The Wolverines claimed their first postseason victory last year at the Big Ten Championship with a 1-0 win over host Wisconsin (Nov. 8) at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison, Wis. In its first semifinal appearance U-M took eventual national runner-up Indiana to triple overtime before falling 1-0. Knox Cameron (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman HS) scored the game-winner against Wisconsin. In 2000, Michigan fell to 2-1 to Penn State in double overtime in the first round of the champion at Columbus, Ohio.
Scouting the Opponents ...
Northwestern - The Wildcats are the No. 7 seed in the Big Ten Tournament following record of 8-11-0, 0-6 against conference competition under second year head coach Tim Lenahan. Michigan earned a 5-0 victory over Northwestern during the regular-season as sophomore Knox Cameron had two goals including the game-winner. Mike White (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) added a goal and an assist while freshman Adam Bruh (Roselyn Heights, N.Y./Wheatley HS) dished out a pair of helpers in the contest. Freshman Tito Lara was NU's leading scorer in 2002 as the forward totaled 13 points on six goals and one assist. Between the pipes for the Wildcats, J.D. Martin has started all 19 games for NU where he has made 82 saves allowing 23 goals for a 1.29 goals-against average. Northwestern on the Internet: www.nusports.com.
Ohio State - A possible semifinal match has Michigan matching up with the No. 3 seed Ohio State. The Buckeyes like the Wolverines posted a conference record of 3-3. Overall OSU went 11-6-1 in 2002 in John Bluem's sixth year as head coach. Michigan defeated the Buckeyes 1-0 in overtime in U-M's Big Ten finale (Nov. 3) with Kevin Robinson (Caro, Mich./Faith Baptist HS) scoring the game-winner and Peter Dzubay (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview HS) earning the shutout. Andy Rosenband is the leading OSU scorer with seven goals and six assists for 20 points. In the net, Chad Brown has started 17 of 16 games with 38 saves in 1,501:13 minutes for a 0.78 goals-against average. Ohio State on the Internet: www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
Michigan State - A second possible semifinal possibility has Michigan facing the No. 6 seed and intra-state opponent Michigan State. The Spartans finished the regulars-season with a 11-6-0 record, 3-3 in the Big Ten under 26-year head coach Joe Baum. During the regular-season Michigan State earned a 2-1 victory, Oct. 15, on the U-M Soccer Field. Sophomore Mychal Turpin (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS) scored the lone U-M goal. Brett Konley heads the Spartans' offense with 20 points on eight goals and four assists. Tyler Robinson is the mainstay in MSU's net with 16 games played and a 1.23 goals-against avearage. Michigan State on the Internet: www.msuspartans.com.
Around the Horn ...
Indiana -- The Hoosiers are again the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament after its 10th Big Ten regular-season title. The No. 5-ranked Hoosiers posted a record of 14-2-2, 6-0 against Big Ten competition in Jerry Yeagley's 30th year as head coach. Indiana earned a 2-1 overtime victory against Michigan on Oct. 6 at Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. Mychal Turpin tallied the Michigan equalizer at 40:25. Indiana on the Internet: www.iuhoosiers.com.
Penn State -- Big Ten Tournament host Penn State enters the conference championships as the No. 4 seed following a 11-7-0 record, 3-3 in the Big Ten under 15th-yead head coach Barry Gorman. Penn State defeated Michigan 1-0 on the U-M Soccer Field on Sept. 22. Penn State on the Internet: www.gopsusports.com.
Wisconsin -- The Badgers enter the conference tournament as the No. 5 seed after a 9-9-0 regular-season record, 3-3 in Big Ten play. Michigan earned its first conference victory of the season against Wisconsin as the Maize and Blue dropped the Badgers 3-2 at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison, Wis., on Oct. 20. Jeff Mirmelstein (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central HS) netted the game-winner, while Peter Dzubay claimed his first Big Ten win with two saves. Wisconsin on the Internet: www.uwbadgers.com.
Last Week Recap: Closing the Regular Season In Style ...
The Wolverines closed out their regular season with a 2-1 home victory against Oakland last Saturday (Nov. 9) at the U-M Soccer Field. Junior Kevin Robinson netted his second consecutive home game-winner, beating the Oakland keeper from 25-yards out along the left sideline at 74:11. Freshman goalkeeper Peter Dzubay extended his unbeaten streak to seven games as he converted eight of nine save opportunities to earn his sixth win of the season. With the Maize and Blue down 1-0 in the second half, junior Ian Hirschfield (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Pine Crest HS) tallied the equalizer at 65:13 with an assist from Tom Gritter (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) and tri-captain Mike White.
Continuing to Sit on the Dock of Dzu-bay ...
Freshman goalkeeper Peter Dzubay improved his record to 6-1-1 last week with a 2-1 win over Oakland at the U-M Soccer Field. Dzubay posted eight saves in the match and was forced to go horizontal in the first half to tip the ball over the crossbar to negate a Golden Grizzly goal. The win extended Dzubay's unbeaten streak to seven games. The freshman is 6-0-1 during that span with two shutouts over Big Ten competition. In 11 games this year, Dzubay has played 826:24 minutes and has converted 42 of 50 save opportunities for an 84.0 save percentage and a 0.87 goals-against average.
Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood ...
Junior forward Kevin Robinson extended his points steak to five games last Saturday (Nov. 9) with the game-winning goal at 74:11 to beat Oakland in the Wolverines' home and regular-season finale. Robinson has scored at least one point in each of Michigan's last five games, dating back to the 2-1 win over Illinois-Chicago (Oct. 25). In those five games. Robinson has tallied three goals and two assists for eight points. In 16 games this season Robinson has 10 points on three tallies and four helpers.
A Little Bit About You for Our Files ...
Junior Kevin Robinson tallied his third goal of the season last Saturday (Nov. 9) with a game-winner over Oakland. Each of Robinson's three tallies in 2002 has been a game-winner. Robinson netted his first game-clincher at Illinois-Chicago (Oct. 25). Robinson also gave the Wolverines a win in their Big Ten finale when he flipped the ball over the Ohio State goalkeeper 7:53 into overtime to help Michigan to the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten Championship.
Red, White and Bruh ...
Junior tri-captain Mike White and freshman midfielder Adam Bruh are making teams see red this season as the two have combined for 18 assists in 2002. White has seven helpers this season while Bruh has posted a U-M single-season record of 11. Bruh's 11 assists through 14 games also stood as Michigan's career mark, but with an assist in the 2-1 win over Oakland last Sunday (Nov. 9), White has tied the freshman's total. White entered the season with four career helpers.
Knox, Knox, He's Where ...
Knox Cameron will not be on the Wolverines roster for the Big Ten Championships this weekend (Nov. 14-17) as he is currently playing for the U.S. Under-20 Men's Soccer National Team. The U-20's are participating in the CONCACAF Group B qualifying tournament in Charleston, S.C., with the top two teams earning a berth into the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates. Cameron as well his 17 teammates will play three games against international competition. The U-20's opens the FIFA World Youth Championships qualifying tournament against Haiti Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. They will then take on El Salvador on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. before squaring off with Canada on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 2:30 p.m.
The Turpinator ...
Mychal Turpin has scored at least one goal in eight of Michigan's 17 games this season, totaling a career- and program-high 10 goals. Thus far in 2002, Turpin has 25 points with 10 goals and five assists. Included in the 10-goal total is the program's first hat trick. Turpin tallied a natural hat trick against IUPUI at Elbel Field in the Wolverines' 8-0 win on Sept. 6.
| Date | Team | Goals |
| Sept. 1 | Cal-Santa Barbara | 1 |
| Sept. 6 | IUPUI | 3 |
| Sept. 13 | Brown | 1 |
| Sept. 15 | Yale | 1 |
| Sept. 27 | Evansville | 1 |
| Oct. 6 | Indiana | 1 |
| Oct. 13 | Michigan State | 1 |
| Oct. 27 | Northwestern | 1 |
I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends ...
Michigan ended the regular season as one of the most dominant offenses in the Big Ten this year as the Wolverines led the conference in five of six offensive categories. U-M totaled 128 points on 42 goals and 44 assists in 17 games. Michigan ended the regular season as the conference leader in points (128), goals (42), assists (44) goals per game (2.47) and assists per game (2.59).
Look Up See Bruh ...
Freshman Adam Bruh ended the regular season as the conference leader in assists and assists per game as the freshman dished out 11 helpers in 15 matches for a 0.73 per game average.
I Love Gooooooooooals ...
Michigan scored a school-record eight goals against IUPUI on Sept. 6, surpassing its previous best scoring output of five, set last year in a home win against Western Michigan (Sept. 30). Since the program's inception in 2000, the Wolverines have totaled 11 three-plus goal games, posting a record of 9-1-1.
| Date | Opponent | Place | Score | Outcome |
| Oct. 27, 2002 | Northwestern | Evanston, Ill. | 5-0 | Win |
| Oct. 20, 2002 | Wisconsin | Madison, Wis. | 3-2 | Win |
| Sept. 27, 2002 | Evansville | Evansville, Ind. | 6-2 | Win |
| Sept. 13, 2002 | Brown | Providence, R.I. | 3-3 (2OT) | Tie |
| Sept. 6, 2002 | IUPUI | Elbel Field | 8-0 | Win |
| Sept. 2, 2002 | Wright State | East Lansing, Mich. | 3-1 | Win |
| Sept. 1, 2002 | Cal-Santa Barbara | East Lansing, Mich. | 3-5 | Loss |
| Sept. 30, 2001 | Western Michigan | Varsity Field | 5-2 | Win |
| Nov. 22, 2000 | Drury College | Elbel Field | 3-0 | Win |
| Nov. 4, 2000 | Western Michigan | Kalamazoo, Mich. | 3-2 (2OT) | Win |
| Sept. 5, 2000 | Cleveland State | Cleveland, Ohio | 3-2 | Win |
Around the Nation ...
NSCAA Top 25
Rank, Team Record Prev 1. Wake Forest 14-0-4 1 2. St. Johns 12-1-5 2 3. Indiana 14-2-2 3 4. Southern Methodist 15-1-3 4 5. Connecticut 14-4-0 6 6. California 13-3-2 9 7. Virginia 13-5-0 7 8. Wisconsin-Milwaukee 16-1-1 8 9. UCLA 12-3-2 5 10. Maryland 14-4-0 11 11. Furman 15-2-1 13 12. Creighton 13-3-2 12 13. Coastal Carolina 16-1-2 10 14. UC Santa Barbara 15-2-1 15 14. Boston College 13-4-0 16 16. Penn 10-2-1 14 17. North Carolina 13-5-1 20 18. Virginia Commonwealth 13-4-1 21 19. Loyola Marymount 14-2-2 22 20. St. Louis 12-3-2 24 21. Clemson 11-3-3 17 22. Stanford 12-4-2 19 22. Notre Dame 11-5-3 18 24. Columbia 8-5-1 -- 25. William & Mary 12-6-1 --
On the Horizon ...
After the conclusion of the Big Ten Championships, the Wolverines will await the NCAA selection show on Monday (Nov. 18) at 4:30 on ESPN News.
Contact: Gene Skidmore (734) 763-4423
