U-M Drops Conference Opener at Third-Ranked Indiana

Sunday, October 10

Bloomington, Ind.

2:30 PM

Michigan

7-2-2, 0-1

Indiana

8-2-1, 3-0

Michigan

Indiana

10/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The No. 19 University of Michigan men's soccer team opened its Big Ten Conference schedule with a 2-1 loss today (Sunday, Oct. 10) to third-ranked Indiana at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The Hoosiers scored early in the second half to take a 1-0 lead and then added a goal at 84:14 to seal the victory. Senior Mychal Turpin (Pontiac, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit HS) scored the lone goal for U-M in the final minute of play. Goalkeeper Joe Zawacki (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) made three saves in net for the Wolverines.

Indiana was the aggressor throughout the first half, and by design the Wolverines absorbed the majority of the attack. Indiana posted five shots to Michigan's one in the opening period, but neither team was able to gain an advantage and the game remained scoreless at the half.

The Hoosiers struck first in the second half with a goal by Brian Plotkin at 53:49. Plotkin fired a shot from 12 yards out that beat the Michigan defense to the left corner of the net and gave Indiana a 1-0 lead.

Shortly after Plotkin's goal, IU's Jed Zayner received a red card, giving Michigan a one-man advantage. The Wolverines immediately went on the attack, firing seven shots over the remainder of the game. Junior Ryan Sterba (Westlake, Ohio/St. Ignatius HS) created U-M's first scoring chance of the game. In the 72nd minute, Sterba shot for the upper corner of the Indiana net from 28 yards out, but IU goalkeeper Jay Nolly made the save to preserve the Hoosiers' 1-0 lead.

Five minutes after Sterba was ejected with a red card of his own in the 78th minute, sophomore Kevin Savitskie (Plymouth, Mich./Salem HS) had a chance to score the equalizer for U-M. Off of a restart by Adam Bruh (Roslyn Heights, N.Y./Wheatley HS) Savitskie rose above the defense for the headder. His attempt, however, sailed just wide of he goal and the score remained 1-0.

Indiana took a two-goal lead at 84:14 with a goal by John Michael Hayden. Hayden scored from the corner of the U-M penalty box, sending a bouncing ball to the back of the net. Michigan answered with Turpin's goal at 89:58 to close the scoring.

The Wolverines will return to Indiana to take on No. 15 Notre Dame on Wednesday (Oct. 13). That match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST/CDT in South Bend, Ind.

GAME SUMMARY

Team	1	2	F
Michigan	0	1	1
Indiana	0	2	2

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- IU, Brian Plotkin, 53:49 (Jed Zayner)
2nd -- IU, John Michael Hayden, 84:14 (unassisted)
2nd -- U-M, Mychal Turpin, 89:58 (unassisted)

Shots: U-M 8, IU 11
Saves: U-M 4 (Joe Zawacki 3, Team 1), IU 2 (Jay Nolly)
Corner Kicks: U-M 4, IU 5
Fouls: U-M 14, IU 14
Cards: U-M, Trai Blanks, 5:27 (yellow); U-M, Dawson Stellberger, 47:29 (yellow); IU, Jed Zayner, 56:21 (red); IU, Josh Tudela, 58:09 (yellow); U-M, Steve Hecker, 64:56 (yellow); U-M, Ryan Sterba, 77:06 (red); U-M, Bobby Trybula, 82:07 (yellow).

Q U O T E S

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the team's performance ... "I really like this team because they respond to challenge and adversity so well, even with a heartbreaking loss like this. They know that there is a lot of season left and a lot of the Big Ten season left. We just have to be able to respond. We will be a little challenged in terms of depth, but I think it will pay off in the long run."

On the change in the game after IU's red card ... "In the first half, we were absorbing a lot of their pressure and slowing the game down. That is what you want to do against a good team like Indiana. At halftime, the team knew that the game was going well and that we would get our chances. After their red card, we were able to sustain pressure and keep the ball in the front third due to some corner kicks of ours that they weren't able to clear. We had a couple of glorious chances with (Ryan) Sterba's laser from around 28 yards and the header by (Kevin) Savitskie."

On facing Notre Dame ... "We have to just ice our bruises and keep our psyche intact and get ready for practice over the next two days. This is the tough part of the season, but I think the team has prepared themselves well for it. The boys have kept on top of their classes, ate well and done all the little things to help ensure their success. This team has been around and knows what it needs to do to get up for a big game like this."

N O T E S

With the loss, Michigan falls to 0-6 against Indiana all-time. Each of the last three losses has been a 2-1 decision, and the last four games have been one-goal affairs, including three which were decided in overtime.

With his late goal, Mychal Turpin now has 10 points this season. Turpin has scored at least 10 points in each of his four years at U-M.

Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423