ANN ARBOR, Mich. – For Northwestern coach Tim Lenahan, Sunday’s game against Michigan was eerily similar to the last game the Wildcats played here.
In the 2004 Big Ten championship at U-M Soccer Field, the Cats fell 1-0 to Michigan State. On Sunday, it was the same result to a different team – a 1-0 loss to Michigan.
The similarity in the final score also extended to the way the game-winning goal was scored.
In the 89th minute, Michigan sophomore Tolo Olowolafe took a feed from freshman Jake Stacy and slid the ball past NU goalkeeper Will Briley, who slipped while trying to make a play on the ball.
“The mistake on the goal was in almost the same spot as the mistake in the Big Ten championship,” Lenahan said. “And it was the same mistake, too. The keeper was undecided whether to use his feet or hands.”
The Cats (4-3-0, 0-1-0 Big Ten) threatened in the last minute but failed to get a shot on goal. The Wolverines (6-2-0, 1-0-0) held on to beat NU for the first time in four games.
Briley was making the first start of his NU career because of an injury to freshman Misha Rosenthal. Junior Justin Pines, last year’s starter in net, suffered a knee injury earlier this season and will miss the rest of the season.
Despite Briley’s mishap on the deciding goal, Lenahan said he was satisfied with the play of his keeper.
“Will’s worked really hard in practice and has given a lot,” Lenahan said. “I felt bad for him, personally. I told him after the game that I’ll live with that mistake.”
The Cats’ defense gave Briley strong support throughout the game, allowing only one shot on goal the entire 90 minutes.
But the Wolverines were equally solid on the defensive end. NU managed only two shots on goal and nine shots for the game.
The Cats put pressure on the Michigan defense late in the second half, keeping the ball in the Wolverine’s half of the field. But NU could not find the back of the net.
“We have to find a way to score a goal somewhere in there,” Lenahan said. “I thought we generated better chances, but soccer is a funny game, sometimes not so funny.”
The Cats’ best opportunity came from senior Kevin Earnest. He took a pass on the right wing and found an opening in the Wolverines’ defense. Earnest drove just inside the box and fired, but the shot sailed right into the arms of Michigan goalkeeper Peter Dzubay.
Lenahan said he was disappointed his team did not come away with the win, but he was pleased with the effort, especially considering the conditions.
The game was suspended with five minutes left in the first half because of rain and lightning. The teams returned 45 minutes later to a soggy, puddle-filled field.
Michigan came out of the break with a scoring chance but failed to capitalize. The Cats buckled down on defense, not allowing another scoring opportunity until the final minutes.
“It’s Big Ten soccer,” Lenahan said. “There’s not a lot of scoring. It’s going to be a one-goal game, probably 1-0. We just have to find a way to make a play. We made a mistake and came out on the wrong side.”
Reach Scott Duncan at [email protected].
