Men’s Soccer Struggles With Michigan Attack In 2-0 Road Loss
Penn State (4-5-1, 2-2 Big Ten) traveled to Ann Arbor Sunday for a game with the Wolverines. Michigan (2-6-3, 1-4 Big Ten) hadn’t won a game in the Big Ten, while the Nittany Lions only conference loss came against No. 1 Maryland going into the game. Michigan secured its first conference win this season 2-0 over Penn State.
How It Happened
Evan Finney got his third-consecutive start and Michigan was coming at him on the attack for much of the first half. Finney made five saves in the first half as Michigan peppered the Penn State goal with nine shots.
Michigan thought they had the breakthrough with just minutes remaining in the half. The Wolverines served a ball into the middle of the box for Francis Atuahene. He volleyed it into the back of the net, but was deemed offside and the goal was taken off the board. The game went into halftime scoreless.
Arie Ammann replaced Finney to begin the second half and picked up right where the senior left off. In the 62nd minute, Arie Ammann made a diving save on a long-distance effort from Ivo Cerda to keep the game scoreless. Michigan would break the deadlock on the ensuing corner kick. Freshman Jack Hallahan found the ball at his feet off the corner kick and slotted the shot far post past Ammann to put the Wolverines up 1-0 in the 63rd minute.
The Nittany Lions were forced to go on the attack more following the goal. In the 69th minute, Dayonn Harris won the ball on the end line outside the box and crossed to Aymar Sigue. Sigue had a decent opportunity, but couldn’t put the header on frame.
Michigan went up a second goal in the 73rd minute. Rylee Woods delivered a ball from the left flank perfectly back post to Atuahene. Atuahene rose to meet the ball and headed it home to put the Wolverines up 2-0. Harris nearly cut the lead in half with a low shot in the 81st minute, but the attempt hit the post.
Player Of The Game
Francis Atuahene | Forward/Midfield | Sophomore
Atuahene was a force to be reckoned with for Michigan. Penn State’s defense had its hands full all night with the Ghanaian attacker who scored the second goal of the game and took six shots.
What’s Next
Penn State travels to Indiana for a game against the Hoosiers on Saturday. The game kicks off at 7:30 and will air live on BTN Plus.
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