Michigan Rally Falls Short Against Western Michigan

Thursday, October 17

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

6-4-3, 2-1-2

Western Michigan

9-4-0, 1-0-0

Western Michigan

Michigan

Marc Ybarra

10/17/2019 10:38:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Brad Rudner

» After Western Michigan scored 94 seconds into the match, U-M equalized right out of halftime through Nebojsa Popovic. But the Broncos scored 40 seconds after that game-tying goal, winning the match 2-1 on Thursday at U-M Soccer Stadium.
» Popovic scored his seventh goal of the year, assisted by Christian Pulselli and Harry Pithers.
» The Wolverines held a 61-39 edge in possession.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Western Michigan 2, Michigan 1
Records: U-M (6-4-3), WMU (9-4-0)
Attendance: 453
Next U-M Event: Tuesday, Oct. 22 -- at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 7 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team saw its rally fall short on Thursday (Oct. 17), dropping a 2-1 decision to Western Michigan at U-M Soccer Stadium. Graduate student Nebojsa Popovic scored the lone goal for the Wolverines.

The Broncos started the match fast, taking the lead a little more than 90 seconds in. A cross into the box took a deflection off junior Marc Ybarra, but landed right to Giuseppe Vitale at the top of the box and he scored into the back-left corner.

Western Michigan nearly added a second in the ninth minute, but senior goalkeeper Andrew Verdi made a spectacular save to thwart the one-on-one opportunity.

The Wolverines found their equalizer right out of halftime. In the 47th minute, freshman Harry Pithers lofted a ball to freshman Christian Pulselli on the far side of the box. He headed it back toward the center where Popovic ran onto it and flicked it past Western Michigan goalkeeper Isaac Walker with his knee for his seventh goal of the season.

The score stayed equal for only 40 seconds as Western Michigan went back in front on a goal from Sharp.

Michigan tried to answer right back in the 51st minute. Pulselli sent a low dribbler across the face of goal to Popovic, who tried going low on Walker. The keeper made the save and the ball popped straight up for Pithers, but his follow-up header went wide of the frame.

The Wolverines had 11 shots on the evening -- including eight in the second half -- and dominated in possession (61 percent), but couldn't complete the rally.

Verdi played all 90 minutes and made two saves in net.

The Wolverines will close out their non-conference slate on Tuesday (Oct. 22) at Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network. The teams met twice last year, including a draw in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in which the Fighting Irish advanced in 12 rounds of penalty kicks.