Wolverines' Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against Notre Dame

Tuesday, October 16

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Michigan

9-3-1

Notre Dame

8-4-1

Notre Dame

Michigan

Marc Ybarra

Wolverines' Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against Notre Dame

10/16/2018 9:11:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Brad Rudner

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: #16 Notre Dame 2, #18 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (9-3-1), Notre Dame (8-4-1)
Attendance: 1,536
Next U-M Event: Friday, Oct. 19 -- at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.), 7 p.m. CDT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team saw its second-half comeback attempt fall short, dropping a 2-1 decision to No. 16 Notre Dame on Tuesday night (Oct. 16) at U-M Soccer Stadium. Junior Jack Hallahan netted the team's lone goal -- his sixth of the season -- in the 57th minute.

The Wolverines had spells of domination on Tuesday, holding the edge in both shots (12-6) and corner kicks (7-5). U-M had to weather some adversity in the match's opening minutes, however, as senior captain Ivo Cerda came off after picking up an early knock, allowing for the return of sophomore Mohammed Zakyi, who saw his first action in nearly a month. He ended up logging 79 minutes.

The visitors got on the board first, courtesy of a Thomas Ueland goal in the 10th minute. The Fighting Irish looked to add to that in the 17th minute in a counter attack, but a vital slide tackle from senior Daniel Mukuna on the edge of the box thwarted the chance.

Michigan controlled the match from there. In the 22nd minute, off a free kick, Mukuna got position in front of Notre Dame goalkeeper Duncan Turnbull, but headed the service from sophomore Austin Swiech high over the bar. Zakyi made his presence known in the 34th minute with a dipping shot from distance, but Turnbull made a great save to his right to keep the net clean.

Two minutes later, sophomore Jackson Ragen caught a corner kick from sophomore Marc Ybarra on the far post and connected on the service, but Turnbull was there with another diving save. The Wolverines went into halftime down, 1-0, but did a fine job pressuring Notre Dame, holding the edge in both shots (8-3) and corner kicks (5-2).

The Wolverines continued to take it to the Fighting Irish and found their equalizer in the 57th minute. With firm possession, Zakyi switched play over to the left side and senior Marcello Borges. He dropped the ball off for senior Robbie Mertz, who cut inside and passed to Hallahan. He brought it down with his left, switched to his right and curled in a low shot past Turnbull to tie the match at 1.

Eleven minutes later, Notre Dame answered. Mukuna was whistled for a foul inside the area, drawing a Notre Dame penalty kick. Sean MacLeod stepped to the spot and converted, making it 2-1.

Inside 20 minutes, the Wolverines continued to press and push numbers forward, but were unable to find a second equalizer. Hallahan had perhaps the best chance in the 71st minute, weaving through the Notre Dame back line, but his shot was saved by Turnbull.

With three matches remaining in the regular season, Michigan jumps back into Big Ten play on Friday (Oct. 19), facing Wisconsin in Madison. First touch is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT, and the match will be streamed online via BTN Plus.