Michigan
3-0-0, 3-0-0
Rutgers
3-2-0, 3-2-0
Blevins Golden as Michigan Tops Rutgers in Overtime
3/7/2021 5:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer
» Freshman Bryce Blevins scored the overtime winner in the 93rd minute. It was his first collegiate goal.
» With the win, Michigan moves to 3-0-0 and sits in a three-way tie atop the Big Ten standings with nine points.
» The Wolverines outshot Rutgers, 17-0, after halftime.
Site: Piscataway, N.J. (Yurcak Field)
Score: #9 Michigan 1, Rutgers 0 (OT)
Records: U-M (3-0-0), RUT (3-2-0)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, March 11 -- vs. Maryland (Brighton, Mich.), 11 a.m.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Freshman Bryce Blevins netted the golden goal in the 93rd minute -- his first collegiate goal -- to power the No. 9-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime win Sunday (March 7) at Yurcak Field. With the win, the Wolverines move to 3-0-0 and sit in a three-way tie atop the Big Ten standings with nine points.
Playing their first match in 12 days and playing outdoors for the first time since the NCAA Tournament in 2019, the Wolverines looked crisp, outshooting the hosts by a 17-0 margin after halftime. The match tilted in Michigan's favor once Rutgers' Francesco Scotti picked up his second yellow card in the 60th minute, giving the Wolverines a man advantage for the duration.
"Anytime you can pick up points in this league on the road, you're going to be pleased," said head coach Chaka Daley. "I like how the guys stuck with it. There was definitely some adversity going into the game -- being on the road, the logistics of traveling, being on grass for the first time since November. Rutgers is a really good team and this is a very important result for us. We'll enjoy it tonight and get back to recovery and getting ready for Maryland on Thursday."
Neither team generated much offense in the first half. Rutgers had the best chance in the seventh minute off a corner kick. Vincenzo Pugliese at the far post did not get a ton of power on the shot at the back post, and it was easily scooped up by goalkeeper Owen Finnerty.
On the other side, the Wolverines had an opportunity in the 39th minute off a corner kick of their own. A shot from senior Joel Harrison was deflected on the way toward the net before it was corralled by Rutgers goalkeeper Oren Asher.
Michigan generated plenty of offense in the second half, firing nine shots on target. The Wolverines thought they went ahead in the 47th minute on a header by junior Derick Broche, but he was flagged for offsides. Freshman Quin Rogers had two attempts on target, including a sharp volley in the 67th minute, but Asher made the save and Rutgers cleared the ball away from danger.
Blevins, the OT hero, nearly ended it in the 76th minute. With Asher out of the net, Blevins fired a shot on an open frame, but Rutgers defender Hugo Le Guennec headed it off the line.
It was junior Kevin Buca who made Blevins' game-winner happen. He headed the ball up on the far side of the penalty area and shielded off a Rutgers defender to win the ball. Buca brought it onto his left foot and sent a dribbling pass across the box to a wide-open Blevins, whose left-footed attempt found the back of the net past a diving Asher.
Tweet of the Match
WATCH: Bryce Blevins nets the golden goal -- his first collegiate goal -- to push Michigan to a 1-0 win at Rutgers.
— Michigan Men's Soccer (@umichsoccer) March 7, 2021
Also -- peep that magical work from Kevin Buca to keep the play alive. Another assist for No. 19. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/NdmtIel0WF
The defense, playing without senior captain Umar Farouk Osman, who had to sit out due to a red card, was strong, limiting Rutgers to only five shots, all in the first half. Finnerty made two saves for the shutout.
"We're a little bit blessed to have Joel and Jackson masterminding things in and around the back," Daley said. "The way they played and defended was superb. They got stronger as the game went on. Those two guys made us tick, as they usually do, and just kept making sure that momentum was on our side. They pushed all the right buttons."
The Wolverines will return to action Thursday (March 11), hosting Maryland at the Legacy Center in Brighton, Mich. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
Team Stats
Bryce Blevins (1)
Assisted By: Kevin Buca
GOAL by UM Blevins, Bryce Assist by Buca, Kevin.
93:03
