Michigan
Oakland
Turpin's Lone Shot Leads Michigan Past No. 17 Oakland
9/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
ROCHESTER, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team handed No. 17 Oakland its first loss of the season as the Wolverines received an early goal from junior Mychal Turpin (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS) and topped the Golden Grizzlies 1-0 Tuesday (Sept. 30) at the OU Soccer Field. The goal was Turpin's ninth in five games and 11th on the season, setting a new Michigan single-season record.
It took the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week only 14:06 to continue his goal scoring magic, as the forward battled Oakland's Chris Perry for the ball in the Grizzlies goal box, gained controlled and sent a shot to the far post that caromed off the post and into the back of the net. Dawson Stellberger (Crested Butte, Colo./Crested Butte Academy HS) was credited with his third assist of the season on the scoring play.
Nearly four minutes later, the Wolverines went a man up when Oakland's Shahar Ktovim was sent off with a red card at 18:03. As Turpin battled two Grizzlies for possesion of a second touch, Ktovim came into the play and took a violent kick at the ball but caught Turpin instead.
Senior tri-captain Kevin Taylor (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep) and the rest of the defensive front were able to hold Oakland off the board for the Wolverines' first road win of the intrastate rivalry.
Between the pipes, sophomore Peter Dzubay (Slyvania, Ohio/Northview HS) earned his school-record 13th career victory with four saves in 90 minutes of shutout action.
Michigan finally returns to Ann Arbor to open its Big Ten Conference season against Indiana Sunday (Oct. 5) on the U-M Soccer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Oakland | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Mychal Turpin, 64:26 (Dawson Stellberger)
Shots: U-M 16, OU 9
Saves: U-M 4 (Peter Dzubay), OU 10 (Jeff Wiese)
Corner Kicks: U-M 6, OU 2
Fouls: U-M 15, OU 10
Cards: OU, Chris Edwards, 17:26 (yellow); OU, Shahar Ktovim, 18:03 (red); U-M, Dawson Stellberger, 40:41 (yellow); U-M, Adam Bruh, 47:42 (yellow).
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Steve Burns
On the game ... "We had a lot of quality chances on offense, and Kevin Taylor and the rest of the defense did a great job of holding their offense at bay. The fact that we created a lot of opportunities to score proves that we are on the right track heading into our Big Ten opener with Indiana on Sunday."
On Mychal Turpin ... "Well, we talked about how the team is getting better -- here is an individual who is getting better and more dangerous with each game. He is going to get a lot of attention the rest of the year."
On playing a man up 18 minutes into the match ... "Anytime you get a red card in the first half you want to get to halftime with no more harm done. I think it was a deserved red card. Mychal Turpin took a hard hit by a player who really wasn't in the play. It was a tough call for the referee, but I think it was one he had to make. We had them on the ropes up till that halftime and the psychology of being a man up, you seem to become more relaxed. That is not a way you are going to win. We did a good job of moving the ball quickly and finding the open man in the bigger seams."
On facing Indiana at home in the Big Ten opener ... "Timing is everything. The fact that we have won two straight games and have two wins over ranked opponents proves that we are continuing to improve as a program. We're pleased that the Big Ten season is next up. It should be a great game against a great team in Indiana."
Junior Forward Mychal Turpin
On being in "the zone" ... "Hopefully. I am just working hard and finishing the plays when they come to me."
On facing Indiana in the Big Ten opener ... "With two wins under our belt, it gives us momentum heading into Sunday's match. We have been playing pretty good on both sides of the ball and we just need to keep it up."
On playing in front of the alumni Sunday ... "It always gives you more motivation when you are playing in front of the alumni because you want them to continue to be proud of the program that is on the field. Many of them haven't played on the varsity level, but they were the ones that helped get this program where it is today. We haven't beat Indiana yet; it would be nice to have the first victory come in front of our alumni."
Senior Defender Kevin Taylor
On what this does for the team's confidence heading into the Big Ten opener against Indiana ... "This is great. It is exactly what we needed. This is the type of game that we need to win if we are going to make a name for ourselves in college soccer."
On being the vocal leader on the field ... "In my meeting with Coach Burns, he told me that I have fallen off with my duties on the field. I have refocused myself to be the vocal leader on the field."
N O T E S
The victory is Michigan's second of the year over a ranked opponent. U-M opened the season with a 2-0 upset of then No. 22 Loyola Marymount on Aug. 30 at the Michigan State Invitational. U-M is 3-6 all-time against nationally ranked opponents.
The Wolverines are now 2-0-1 in their three-game regular-season series with Oakland.
The game-winner is Turpin's fourth of the season and fifth of his career.
Turpin's fifth goal in three days increased his Michigan records. He is now the program's all-time leading goal scorer (23) and point scorer (56).
Through 10 games this season, Turpin has 11 goals, setting a new Michigan mark for goal productivity in a single year. Last year both he and Knox Cameron (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman HS) found the back of the net 10 times. Turpin also has 23 points this season, which is two shy of the school mark he set last year in 20 games.
Contact: Gene Skidmore (734) 763-4423
