Broche's Header Lifts Wolverines Past Detroit Mercy

Wednesday, October 9

Ann Arbor, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

6-2-3, 2-0-2

Detroit Mercy

3-7-1, 0-2-1

Detroit Mercy

Michigan

Andrew Verdi

10/9/2019 10:46:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Brad Rudner

» Derick Broche scored the game-winning goal in the 74th minute in a 1-0 win over Detroit Mercy on Wednesday (Oct. 9).
» Michigan extended its unbeaten streak to seven matches (4-0-3).
» Andrew Verdi made three saves, combining with the defense for their fourth consecutive shutout.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: Michigan 1, Detroit Mercy 0
Records: U-M (6-2-3), UDM (3-7-1)
Attendance: 611
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Oct. 13 -- at #4 Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), 3 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore Derick Broche scored in the 74th minute to break a scoreless deadlock and ultimately provide the winning margin in a 1-0 shutout over Detroit Mercy on Wednesday night (Oct. 9) at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Wolverines extended their unbeaten run to seven matches (4-0-3) and have picked up clean sheets in their last four.

The Wolverines (6-2-3) held a sizable advantage in possession (58 percent), but the Titans held firm in their own half, sitting back with five defenders and relying mostly on counterattacks and long throw-ins.

Detroit Mercy (3-7-1) had the first real chance of the match in the 10th minute, but the shot from Jake Reitzloff inside the box was hit directly to senior goalkeeper Andrew Verdi -- one of his three saves on the night. Despite the Titans' defensive tendencies, Michigan had a 6-3 edge in shots at halftime and had six corner kicks.

Broche found the breakthrough in the 74th minute, nearly 90 seconds after coming back onto the field as a substitute. Junior Austin Swiech took the ball up on the far flank, then stopped and dropped it back to freshman Harry Pithers. He sent a cross directly into the center of the box for Broche, who cut in front of his defender and dove to get a head on it, powering it past Titans goalkeeper Devin Mendez.

WHAT. A. HEADER.@umichsoccer's Derick Broche with an amazing header to put Michigan ahead! pic.twitter.com/NThvSvQYZS
— Michigan On BTN (@MichiganOnBTN) October 10, 2019

Following the goal, the Wolverines went on the defensive for the match's final minutes as Detroit Mercy chased the match. In the 75th minute, Demetri Pliakos unleashed a shot from outside the box that Verdi reacted well to, parrying it out for a corner. The ensuing cross went to the far post and Kyle Bandyk got some space, but his shot was cleared off the line by Swiech. The ricochet fell to Bandyk, but it was Swiech again who got his body in the way, blocking the shot.

Michigan nearly doubled the lead in the 88th minute. Pithers got inside the box and went for the bottom corner, but Mendez beat him to the spot with a diving save. The Wolverines maintained possession and saw the match out to secure the win.

Michigan will return to Big Ten play on Sunday (Oct. 13) at No. 4 Indiana in Bloomington. The Hoosiers enter the match atop the Big Ten table with nine points (3-0-0) and a match in-hand, while the Wolverines are second on eight points (2-0-2). The match will begin at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPNU.