Oct. 25, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Second-ranked Northwestern was handed its first loss of the season Saturday night as No. 21 Michigan came into Lakeside Field and scored three times in the second half to top the Wildcats 3-1. The three goals allowed matched the total scored by NU's first 13 opponents.
The loss drops Northwestern to 11-1-2 overall and 3-1-0 in the Big Ten, while Michigan improves to 10-4-2 and 2-1-1.
The Wolverines had a great opportunity to take the lead in the first minute of play as the Wildcats were called for a foul and a yellow card just outside the top of the 18-yard box. However, Jake Stacy's shot was blocked.
NU's best opportunity of the first half came 20 minutes into the contest when sophomore Matt Eliason tried a bicycle kick from 10 yards out, but the shot went just high as it clanged off the crossbar.
Neither team was able to dent the scoreboard in the opening 45 minutes of play with the Wildcats holding a slim 7-6 edge in shots.
Michigan was the first team to tally as Mauro Fuzetti was able to find the back of the net off an assist from Perica Marosevic.
It didn't take long for Northwestern to post the tying goal, though. Just a couple of minutes later, the Wolverines were called for a hand ball in the box. Though the Michigan players argued the call and after the referees consulted, the call stood and the Wildcats were awarded a penalty kick. Senior Brian Usinger calmly stepped up and beat Patrick Sperry to tie the match at 1-1.
Each team battled to collect the go-ahead goal before the Wolverines finally cashed in with just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation. Again it was Fuzetti doing the honors as he approached the end line and scored from the right flank.
Michigan went on to tack on a nearly identical goal three minutes later with Steve Bonnell giving the visitors the important insurance tally to ice the victory.
The Wolverines finished with a 13-11 edge in shots and a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. Northwestern was whistled for being offsides 12 times to two for Michigan.
The Wildcats return to action at 7 p.m. Tuesday as it makes the short trek to Loyola (Chicago).