Blevins' Brace Lifts Michigan Past Ohio State

Wednesday, March 31

Ann Arbor, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

5-2-1, 5-2-1

Ohio State

3-4-1, 3-4-1

Ohio St.

Michigan

Bryce Blevins (Michigan Photography)

3/31/2021 5:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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By: Brad Rudner

» Freshman Bryce Blevins came off the bench and scored twice in the second half.
» The win guarantees Michigan a top-four finish in the Big Ten, and ensures itself of hosting a quarterfinal match in the Big Ten Tournament on Saturday, April 10.
» The defense limited Ohio State to three shots (one shot on goal) and zero corner kicks.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (U-M Soccer Stadium)
Score: #14 Michigan 2, Ohio State 0
Records: U-M (5-2-1, 5-2-1 B1G), OSU (3-4-1, 3-4-1 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, April 4 -- at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.), Noon CDT

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Behind a two-goal effort from freshman Bryce Blevins, the No. 14-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team shut out Ohio State, 2-0, on Wednesday (March 31) at U-M Soccer Stadium. With the win, the Wolverines secured a top-four finish in the Big Ten, ensuring themselves of hosting a first-round match in the Big Ten Tournament on Saturday, April 10, at U-M Soccer Stadium.

Though Blevins was the star, the entire Michigan defense was rock-solid. Sophomore Brennan Callow -- an Ohio native -- came into the match only having logged 16 minutes in his career, but got the start alongside senior Jackson Ragen. The defense limited Ohio State to just three shots (only one shot on goal) and zero corner kicks.

The Wolverines controlled the tempo in the first half, winning possession (60 percent) and shots (4-0). The best chance came in the 39th minute through junior Cameron Martin, who was played in behind the defense. He attempted to chip Ohio State goalkeeper Noah Lawrence, but Lawrence did well to make the save. The two teams were scoreless at the break.

Michigan wasted little time breaking the deadlock. In the 48th minute, senior Austin Swiech sent a ball into the box from the right flank. It bounced over Ragen to senior Marc Ybarra. Instead of one-timing a shot, Ybarra settled it and passed it off to Blevins, whose low, left-footed shot snuck into the corner past Lawrence.

The match opened up, but the defense withstood every challenge. The Wolverines put the match away with Blevins' second in the 84th minute, but it would not have been possible without some fantastic individual dribbling by sophomore Moshtaba Al-Hasnawi. The Dearborn, Mich., native did the work on the left, evaded two Ohio State defenders and passed it to a cutting Blevins, who roofed a shot with his left foot over Lawrence's head.

U-M held a 61-39 edge in possession. Sophomore Owen Finnerty managed the back line brilliantly, only making one save.

Michigan hits the road for its regular-season finale, facing Wisconsin on Sunday (April 4) in Madison. The match will begin at noon CDT, and will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+.