Wolverines Play to Draw at Florida Gulf Coast

Monday, August 29

Fort Myers, Fla.

7:00 PM

Michigan

0-0-2

Florida Gulf Coast

0-1-1

OT 3

OT 4

Michigan

FGCU

8/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Scott Kemps

» The Wolverines jumped out to a 2-0 start in the first 14 minutes, before FGCU marked two goals two minutes apart (64', 66') to result in the deadlock.
» Michigan was outshot 21-8, but limited the quality of those chances due to pressure packed defense in the second half and overtime, while goalkeeper Evan Louro made eight saves overall.
» U-M moves to 0-0-2 this season and improves to 4-4-13 all-time under Chaka Daley in overtime.

Site: Fort Myers, Fla. (FGCU Soccer Complex)
Score: Michigan 2, Florida Gulf Coast 2 (2OT)
Records: U-M (0-0-2), FGCU (0-1-1)
Next U-M Game: Friday, Sept. 2 -- vs. Columbia (U-M Soccer Stadium), 4 p.m.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Goals from freshman Jack Hallahan and sophomore Ivo Cerda in the opening 14 minutes of action showed a dream start, but the University of Michigan men's soccer team conceded a pair of goals two minutes apart in the second half and settled for a 2-2 draw against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles Monday (Aug. 29) at FGCU Soccer Complex.

Ivo Cerda

Playing its the latter of a back-to-back overtime Michigan took it to the Eagles right off the bat, dominating possession in the early portion of the match. U-M was rewarded for its efforts in the seventh minute as Hallahan found himself in space at the top right side of the box, took a touch and smashed a cracker of a goal with his left foot that caught goalkeeper Sawyer Jackman flat footed for his first career goal to give U-M a 1-0 advantage.

The dream start for the Maize and Blue continued, as U-M doubled its pleasure seven minutes later in the 14th minute. Junior Michael Kapitula, who enjoyed a more attacking role early, sent a gem of a service from the right touchline through the six and found the head of a diving Cerda, who finished with class top left for the 2-0 lead.

From there, Florida Gulf Coast settled into the match, stringing together a handful of half chances, and headed into the half with a 10-8 shot advantage that failed to result in a breakthrough.

With the ability to coast and protect the two-goal advantage, U-M dug in its heels in the early part of the second half and was outshot 6-1 in the first 10 minutes.

With 25 minutes to go, FGCU was given a lifeline, as a U-M defender gave away a penalty kick that was converted to cut the U-M lead in half at 2-1 as Albert Ruiz beat U-M goalkeeper Evan Louro. A little more than two minutes later, Dylan Sacramento made it 2-2 on a link-up play in what proved to be the final score of the match for either side in the thoroughly appeasing matchup.

Louro was up to task the rest of regulation, making five stops in all, as the score held at 2-2. In the first overtime, the Eagles hit the bar with a shot in the 96th minute, with Louro sprinkling in another full body sprawling stop to hold the score even heading to the second extra session. U-M's final chance came with one minute left in the 109th on a shot from Hallahan, but Jackman was up to the stout attempt to maintain the 2-2 score.

The Wolverines open up the home portion of the 2016 season Friday (Sept. 2) at 4 p.m. against the Columbia Lions. For tickets, fans can visit the ticket page on MGoBlue.com.