Michigan
1-0-0
Connecticut
0-1-0
U-M Knocks Off No. 10 Connecticut in Season Opener
9/1/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
The teams spent the majority of the first half feeling each other out. Connecticut was the aggressor throughout the first 45 minutes, but the Wolverines were able to turn the Huskies away behind a pair of saves by Dzubay. U-M created the best scoring chance of the half when Ryan Sterba (Westlake, Ohio/St. Ignatius HS) serviced the ball into the box from 40 yards out. Chris Glinski (Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS) got a head on the ball, but his shot sailed wide and the score remained tied, 0-0 at the half.
The offense picked up in the second half, but the game remained scoreless for the majority of the frame. Connecticut had a chance to take a 1-0 lead when the Wolverines turned the ball over at midfield, creating a 2-on-1 break for the Huskies. After the ball was played up to the second attacker, Dzubay faced a one-on-one attack. The Michigan goalie came off his line to steal the ball and preserve the 0-0 tie.
The Wolverines finally broke the tie to take a 1-0 lead with Savitskie's goal at 81:02. Sterba sent the ball on a corner kick, finding Trai Blanks (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) on the box. Blanks then flicked the ball to the back post, hitting Savitskie on his run. Savitskie headed the ball to the upper right corner of the net, just out of reach of U-Conn goalie Geoffrey Anatole. The Michigan was able to hang on for the final nine minutes of the game to earn the win.
The Wolverines will participate in the Michigan State Invitational on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 4-5 in East Lansing Mich. U-M will open the tournament with a match against Western Illinois on Saturday at noon and then face St. Francis (Pa.) on Sunday at 1:15 p.m. to wrap up the tournament.
GAME SUMMARY
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Connecticut | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Scoring, Time (Assist) Kevin Savitskie's game winning goal was the first of his career and his second goal overall. Trai Blanks and Ryan Sterba collected assists on the play. For Blanks it was his second career assist, while Sterba notched his fifth career helper.
2nd -- U-M, Kevin Savitskie, 81:02 (Trai Blanks, Ryan Sterba)
Shots: U-M 10, U-Conn 9
Saves: U-M 5 (Peter Dzubay), U-Conn 5 (Geoffrey Anatole)
Corner Kicks: U-M 4, U-Conn 3
Fouls: U-M 10, U-Conn 8
Offsides: U-M 0, U-Conn 4
Cards: U-M, Ryan Alexander, 35:02 (yellow); U-M, Kevin Hall, 40:46 (yellow); U-Conn Steve Sealy, 65:07 (yellow)
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Steve Burns
On earning a victory in the season opener ... "It was a great win. The tactics of the game played out like we hoped they would. Connecticut is a very aggressive, attacking team. We knew we couldn't get out and step up on them defensively, so we stayed back and absorbed their attack. I think we did a very good job of picking our moments to counter attack and exerting the proper energy throughout the game."
On the significance of the win ... "While it was a nice win, you can't get too high or too low early in the season. I think the personality and the style of this team is really starting to show and we want to build on that and this win. I think we have a good offense with a lot of team speed. Defensively, we take a lot of pride in playing aggressively and not giving away space."
On Savitskie's game-winning goal ... "The goal came off a corner kick by Sterba. He served the ball and Trai flicked it to the back post. Kevin came on his run and got a head on the ball. The keeper tracked it and got a hand on it, but Kevin found that small window and it went in."
N O T E S
Peter Dzubay recorded his 10th career shutout. Dzubay is the Wolverines' career leader in shutouts.
Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423
Team Stats
Savitskie, Kevin (1)
Assisted By: Blanks, Trai , Sterba, Ryan
header into righthand top corner of net
81:02
