Michigan
7-1-1, 3-0-0B1G
Michigan State
4-5-1, 1-2-0B1G
Sarkisian's Header, Stout Defense Propel Wolverines Past Rival Spartans
9/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 24, 2016
» Michigan has won five consecutive matches and four of its last five against Michigan State.
» U-M held Michigan State to six shots for the match, allowing only one on net.
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Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 1, Michigan State 0
Records: U-M (7-1-1, 3-0-0 Big Ten), MSU (4-5-1, 1-2-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 2,312
Next U-M Event: Thursday, Sept. 29 -- vs. Rutgers (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m. [ TV: BTN ]
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In front of the third-largest crowd in U-M Soccer Stadium history, senior/junior Ani Sarkisian headed home the game-winning goal in the 77th minute to send the University of Michigan women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over in-state rival Michigan State on Saturday (Sept. 24). The Wolverines have now won five consecutive matches and have taken four of the last five against their Big Ten rival.
The breakthrough came first from the foot of sophomore Reilly Martin, who took the ball wide and sent a cross into the box to Sarkisian. She found just enough space in between the two center backs to head it past Michigan State goalkeeper Savannah Wojtanowski into the bottom left corner of the goal.
Several players were denied attempts on net during a frantic second period, including senior Nicky Waldeck, who got behind the defense in the 64th minute, but her attempt on net was shoved away by Wojtanowski. Ten minutes later, sophomore Abby Kastroll had two attempts in rapid succession -- one saved by Wojtanowski, one cleared off the line by a Michigan State defender.
The Michigan defense was stout all evening, limiting Michigan State to one shot on goal and only one shot in the second half. Junior/sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Jackson returned to the lineup and recorded her fifth shutout of the season, making one save on the evening.
Elation. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/YMfOiG10kA
-- Michigan Soccer (@umichwsoccer) September 25, 2016
The Wolverines will remain at home next week, hosting Rutgers on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. and Maryland on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m., with both matches being held at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Rutgers matchup can be seen live on BTN and BTN2Go, while the game against Maryland will be streamed online via BTNPlus. Tickets for both matches are available by visiting the women's soccer ticket page.
Communications Contact: Whitney Dixon
Team Stats
Sarkisian, Ani (5)
Assisted By: Martin, Reilly
Header to near post off cross.
76:53
