Michigan Knocks Off Wisconsin to Start Big Ten Play

Friday, September 8

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:00 PM

Michigan

4-0-1

Wisconsin

1-1-2

Wisconsin

Michigan

9/8/2017 10:44:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery PDF Boxscore

By: Scott Kemps

» Michigan extends its unbeaten streak to five matches with a 4-0-1 record, and start the Big Ten season off with three points.
» Junior Ivo Cerda scored the fifth goal of his career in the 6th minute of play, while freshman Marc Ybarra had the first collegiate goal of his career in the 38th minute.
» A season-high 2,134 fans packed U-M Soccer Stadium on the night, the biggest crowd for the Wolverines since Sept. 3, 2012, when 2,225 fans saw U-M take on Michigan State.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 2, Wisconsin 1
Records: U-M (4-0-1, 1-0-0 Big Ten), UW (1-1-2, 0-1-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 2,134
Next U-M Event: Wednesday, Sept. 13 -- at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), 7 p.m. (TV: BTN)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer defeated the Wisconsin Badgers, 2-1, in the Big Ten opener for both sides Friday (Sept. 8) in front of a raucous crowd of 2,134 at U-M Soccer Stadium.

The Wolverines got off to a flying start in the sixth minute, as a pair of junior tri-captains connected for the first U-M goal of the match. After dusting a defender, Robbie Mertz sent in an ambitious ball from the left flank that found Ivo Cerda. The Chilean then finessed a header try past Wisconsin goalkeeper Phillip Schilling to give the home side the early 1-0 advantage.

Playing in front of its best crowd since the 2012 season, U-M doubled its pleasure in the 38th minute of action. Junior Tristan Jacob sent in a ball off a corner that was corralled by sophomore Abdou Samake at the top of the six. Samake then poked a ball to freshman Marc Ybarra, who finished with class for his first collegiate goal to give U-M the 2-0 advantage.

Down 2-0 lead heading into the second half, Wisconsin stepped on the gas, outshooting the Wolverines 7-4 after intermission. However, the U-M back line held strong, led by sophomore Andrew Verdi, who had a moment of brilliance in the 73rd minute as he snuffed out a semi-breakaway to keep the score line at 2-0.

The Badgers did notch a goal in the 86th minute of action, but it was too late, as U-M wrapped up the three points and added to its unbeaten streak to start the season.

Tweet of the Game

UNBELIEVABLE turnout tonight. Thank you. We hope you had fun and come back! https://t.co/gN6OTXkuYd
— Michigan Ultras (@MichiganUltras) September 9, 2017

With a five-match homestand complete, U-M will trek to Bloomington, Indiana, to take on the national power Indiana Hoosiers on Wednesday (Sept. 13) at 7:30 p.m. The matchup will be broadcast nationally via BTN.