Michigan
7-4-4
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
8-3-4
Wolverines Play to Scoreless Draw against Western Michigan
10/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
» Sophomore Evan Louro made two saves in net for his sixth shutout of the season.
» Senior team captain James Murphy returned to the fold after missing the last 10 matches, playing 30 minutes.
» Freshman Francis Atuahene was sent off in the 59th minute on a questionable red card, leaving U-M with 10 men for more than 50 minutes.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 0, Western Michigan 0 (2OT)
Records: U-M (7-4-4, 2-2-2 B1G), WMU (8-4-3, 2-3-1 B1G)
Attendance: 623
Next U-M Match: Saturday, Oct. 31 -- vs. Michigan State - Battle for Big Bear (U-M Soccer Stadium), 5 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team, playing with 10 men for 50 minutes after a questionable red card, played the Western Michigan Broncos to a 0-0 tie on Tuesday (Oct. 27) at the U-M Soccer Stadium.
Playing with a side comprised of mostly underclassman for the majority of the match, Michigan's defense held stout in the first half, breaking up multiple Broncos scoring opportunities. In the 11th minute, a cross by Western led to a header in the goal box, but sophomore Evan Louro secured the service. Michigan responded toward the end of the half, as senior James Murphy marked his return with a rocket from 20 yards out, but it was blocked by a Western defender and cleared out of the area.
U-M fell to 10 men after a red card was issued to freshman Francis Atuahene in the 59th minute, but the Wolverines were able to string together a few opportunities in the second half. Junior Rylee Woods knocked in a set piece on a free kick from 40 yards out in the 60th minute, but Bronco keeper Drew Shepherd was up to task for the save.
Neither side put together a scoring chance in the first overtime, but Western held possession for the majority of the second extra period, as a gritty U-M defense played with 10 men behind the ball to hang on to the crucial point. The Broncos drew a corner with just 12 seconds left in the match but knocked a header wide right of the net as time expired, ending the match in a scoreless draw.
U-M wraps up its regular season home slate with Senior Day, and the highly anticipated Battle for Big Bear vs. Michigan State Saturday (Oct. 31) at 5 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium.
Postgame Notes
• James Murphy returned to the field for the first time in 10 matches for his first appearance since Sept. 11 vs. Maryland.
• U-M improves to 24-14-5 all-time at home and 4-4-11 in overtime matches under Chaka Daley.
• U-M has conceded only one goal in the last four matches, outscoring teams 4-1.
• The 0-0 draw is U-M's second of the season after drawing 0-0 with Maryland on Sept. 11.
• U-M has not lost a match in double overtime since Sept. 18, 2011, at Marquette.
