Osman's Second-Half Goals Lift Wolverines to Victory at Rutgers

Friday, September 14

Piscataway, N.J.

8:00 PM

Michigan

5-1-0, 1-0-0B1G

Rutgers

1-4-1, 0-1-0B1G

Michigan

Rutgers

Osman's Second-Half Goals Lift Wolverines to Victory at Rutgers

9/14/2018 10:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Brad Rudner

» Sophomore Umar Farouk Osman scored two goals in a four-minutes span after the hour mark to provide the scoring in Michigan's 2-0 win at Rutgers on Friday (Sept. 14).
» The victory was the fifth consecutive for the Wolverines, who posted their fourth shutout of the season.
» The defense allowed only five shots for the match, none on goal.

Site: Piscataway, N.J. (Yurcak Field)
Score: Michigan 2, Rutgers 0
Records: U-M (5-1-0, 1-0-0 Big Ten), RUT (1-4-1, 0-1-0 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Sept. 21 -- vs. Penn State (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m. [ Tickets ]

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Sophomore Umar Farouk Osman netted a pair of goals within four minutes after the hour mark to lead the University of Michigan men's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Rutgers in the Big Ten opener on Friday (Sept. 14) at Yurcak Field. It is the team's fifth consecutive victory.

Sophomore Henry Mashburn started in net, but did not face a shot on goal in the match. The Michigan defense in front of him was sharp, allowing only five shots.

The Wolverines dominated possession in the first half, controlling the ball for the majority of the early going as Rutgers sat in on its side to defend. Neither team had a shot until the 29th minute, but the Wolverines' attempt from senior Robbie Mertz, off a slotted pass from junior Jack Hallahan, went wide. Each team had set-piece chances in dangerous positions outside the box, but nothing came from either one.

Sophomore Mohammed Zakyi had the U-M's best scoring chance in the 41st minute, when he attempted a half volley from six yards out off a deflection, but sent his shot high. Michigan dodged a bullet two minutes later, as Rutgers midfielder Brian Hawkins rang a shot off the left post.

Michigan continued to possess the ball in the second half and was finally rewarded in the 62nd minute with some magic from Osman. Senior Ivo Cerda began the play, winning a challenge and leaving it for Zakyi . The Ghanaian slotted a pass back toward the midfield for Osman, who stopped, spun and curled in a left-footed strike beyond the outstretched arms of Rutgers goalkeeper Rafael Pereira to make it 1-0.

WATCH: Umar Farouk Osman with a top-shelf strike from 23 yards out to give Michigan a 1-0 lead at Rutgers. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/PkwqbdbGwg
— Michigan Men's Soccer (@umichsoccer) September 15, 2018

Less than four minutes later, Osman doubled the lead. A throw-in on the near side from sophomore Austin Swiech was deflected in the box by a Rutgers defender to the back post, where Osman waited, shelving a shot to put Michigan up, 2-0. With the match in hand and the final seconds ticking away, Zakyi had a breakaway chance, but Pereira slid to make a save, preventing a third.

The Wolverines return to U-M Soccer Stadium next Friday (Sept. 21), facing Penn State at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, as the Special Operations Command Para-Commandos will jump into U-M Soccer Stadium to deliver the match ball. In addition, during halftime, alumni of the program will be recognized on the field. For tickets, visit MGoBlue.com/tickets or call the Michigan Athletics Ticket Office at (866) 296-MTIX.