Shutout of Detroit Gives U-M Program-Best 7-0-0 Start

Friday, September 21

Ann Arbor, Mich.

5:00 PM

Michigan

7-0-0

Detroit

2-3-2

Detroit

Michigan

Shutout of Detroit Gives U-M Program-Best 7-0-0 Start

9/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Stacey Schwartz

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Field)
Score: #14 Michigan 2, Detroit 0
Records: U-M (7-0-0), Detroit (2-3-2)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Sept. 23 -- vs. Wisconsin (U-M Soccer Field), 2:30 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Junior defender Michael Holody (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) scored one goal and assisted on another as the No. 14-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team used two second-half tallies to defeat the University of Detroit Titans, 2-0, Friday evening (Sept. 21) at the U-M Soccer Field. The victory improved U-M to 7-0-0, giving the Wolverines their best season start in program history.

Michigan and Detroit played an overwhelmingly physical yet scoreless first period, with both teams missing on prime scoring opportunities. When it appeared that Michigan had gained some offensive momentum, the Wolverines were called for offsides at 21 minutes.

Holody played aggressively and consistently throughout the match, stealing balls from oncoming defenders and heading away possible scoring threats. Early in the second half, Holody assisted on sophomore forward Peri Marosevic's (Rockford, Ill./Edison) game-winning goal at the 50:41 mark. Marosevic's shot from three yards out went under the Titan goalie, putting the Wolverines up 1-0.

As Michigan began to dominate the game, the intensity between the teams grew, with both Detroit and Michigan receiving yellow cards. At 72:53, Holody was fouled by a Titan defender and scored on the ensuing penalty shot to put U-M up 2-0.

The tough play by both teams continued with Detroit receiving a red card at the 81:21 mark, allowing the Wolverines to secure the victory playing with a one-man advantage. Junior/sophomore goalkeeper Patrick Sperry (Hinsdale, Ill./Central) tallied six saves in the game to pick up his fifth shutout of the season.

Michigan will open Big Ten Conference play Sunday (Sept. 23) when it hosts Wisconsin for a 2:30 p.m contest at the U-M Soccer Field.

GAME SUMMARY

By Periods	1	2	F
Detroit	0	0	0
Michigan	0	2	2

Scoring, Time (Assist)
2nd -- U-M, Peri Marosevic, 50:41 (Michael Holody)
2nd -- U-M, Holody, 72:53 (unassisted)

Shots: U-M 20, Detroit 12
Saves: U-M 6 (Patrick Sperry), Detroit 5 (Brian Kloss)
Corner Kicks: U-M 4, Detroit 4
Fouls: U-M 17, Detroit 19
Cards: Detroit, Jordan Veit, 56:58 (yellow); U-M, Santos Perez, 72:53 (yellow); Detroit, Mateusz Szwed, 81:21 (red)

NOTES

• At 7-0-0, Michigan is off its best start in program history. The previous best start was 6-0-0 in 2004.

• Sophomore Peri Marosevic scored his fourth goal of the season and the ninth of his career. He is now tied for fifth place in career goals by a Wolverine with Adam Bruh (2002-05).

• Michael Holody earned his second goal and second assist of the season, thereby eclipsing the one assist he had during the 2006 season.

• Junior/sophomore Patrick Sperry earned his fifth shutout of the season. He has tied the single-season Michigan record of five shutouts.

• Michigan is now 4-0-2 against Detroit.

QUOTES

Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
On the physical game played ... "We know that Detroit is a tough team -- that's their style. We've got to be able to match that style and find some moments of skill. I think we did that in the game."

On the difference in play between the halves ... "I think you have to give credit to Detroit. They took us out of the way we wanted to play. This is the first time we've really been taken out of the way we wanted to play this year. That's a test of your team and your character for how you respond to it. I think that we didn't respond very well in the first half. We had an opportunity at halftime to correct some things with our overall level of tension, and we came out and played for one another. We treated each other really positively and the results showed."

On the best start in Michigan men's soccer history ... "This team still has a lot of unfinished business. The guys that stepped up in the second half were (Michael) Holody, (Patrick) Sperry, giving a lot of security to his players, and the man of the match, (Peri) Marosevic. His body language was great and he got after it. He was rewarded with a goal."

On Wisconsin ... "It's the opening of the Big Ten. We now have to be at a different level because I know Wisconsin is going to come in and be at the next level. I think our players are ready and Wisconsin is ready. It's going to be a great game."

On if this game prepared the team for Wisconsin ... "I think this game helped us because the shape and tenacity of Detroit is very similar to Wisconsin. Wisconsin played Wisconsin-Green Bay last night and Wisconsin-Green Bay is very similar to us, so they got the benefit of that final non-conference game to get them ready for their first Big Ten opponent."

U-M Sophomore Forward Peri Marosevic
On scoring the game-winning goal ... "I feel pretty good. It was a team accomplishment. We were struggling a little in the first half, but during the half in the locker room we got together as a team and talked about stepping it up -- it's our home field, we have to do our thing. We took some deep breaths, talked to each other and relaxed. Being able to get that goal in the second half feels amazing because it means that what happened worked. The team relaxed me. Every time you score at home it feels good."

On being the man of the match ... "I don't know about the first half. I was a little down on myself for missing an easy breakaway on goal, but as Coach (Chris) Grassie always says, 'Think about the next opportunity.' That's exactly what I did. I told myself that I had to help the team out and I didn't really do that in the first half. In the second half, I stepped it up. I was forcing myself and telling myself I could get the goal. It ended up going well. Then we got the penalty kick and the victory."

On this being the most physical match of the season ... "It's definitely one of the most physical matches we've played. Detroit always comes out to play against us. We're trying to prove we're the best team in Michigan, and they're trying to prove the same thing. Whenever we play a team that's in-state, it's a rivalry and everybody is up for it. They are definitely a tough team to play against."

On whether the physical play inspires or distracts ... "We understand that Detroit is like that so we expect it. As a soccer player, you have to realize that's going to happen. You just have to concentrate on your goal and that's to win the game. They are trying to get in your head and get you off your game. You have to remain focused and do your job and that's what happened tonight. We stayed focused and got the win."

U-M Junior/Sophomore Goalkeeper Patrick Sperry
On tying the single-season record with his fifth shutout of the season ... "I am very honored to bring my abilities to Michigan and succeed with them, but they are team shutouts. We've worked so hard as a defense and in the midfield -- even the forwards defending -- everyone together is earning these shutouts. It's really exciting to be on a team that is working so hard."

On how he reacts to a physical game in the goal ... "I try not to let things that happen on the field affect me too much. When I let things affect me, it takes away some of my energy from what I need to be focusing on. Before games, I think about all the things I could put my energy into but shouldn't, like if we miss chances on goal. That takes me away from what I should be doing. I try to keep my mind on my job. Nonetheless, I don't like to see my teammates get hurt."

On the key to allowing one goal in seven matches ... "I think just staying focused for 90 minutes. You're preparing the whole week -- getting to bed early, training, eating right -- so when games come around, you're not going to see anything you don't expect."