ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan men's soccer team lost a close match to rival Michigan State 2-1 in double overtime Sunday (Oct. 15) at the U-M Soccer Field. With the victory, the Spartans took the intrastate rivalry's brand new traveling trophy back to East Lansing, and they will keep the nameless wooden creature statue until the teams meet again next year.

Michigan (4-6, 0-3 Big Ten) came out firing in the first half in front of 2,173 screaming fans for its first match on the U-M Soccer Field. Brian Peters (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) staked the Maize and Blue to an early 1-0 lead at 10:41, scoring from 10 yards out after the ball had been slotted through to him off a double assist by Mike White (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) and Kevin Robinson (Caro, Mich./Faith Baptist HS).

The game then turned very physical. Michigan racked up 43 fouls for the entire game, and at the 34:22 mark, after one goal-saving stop by Brad King (Portage, Mich./Northern HS) and another team save, the Wolverines took down a Spartan in the box to give Michigan State (7-5-1, 2-1-1 Big Ten) a penalty kick, which John Benoist converted to tie the game.

The game remained scoreless for the rest of regulation, but not without plenty of offense for both teams. Michigan successfully defended nine corner kicks by the Spartans, several of which were headed out to the midfield by senior Steve Huber (Rochester, Mich./Adams HS). King also made a game-saving stop with 59:24 on the clock after jumping in the air to knock out a sizzling shot by Thomas Trivelloni. Michigan was outshot 9-2 in the second half, but its physical play (24-9 fouls in the second period) helped keep the Spartans off the board.

U-M and MSU had three shots and one corner kick apiece in the first overtime but were unable to convert. The game went to the second overtime period and at 106:49 a Michigan own goal gave the Spartans the victory.

The Wolverines' next match is at Wisconsin on Friday (Oct. 20) at 5 p.m. CDT in Madison, Wis.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Brian Peters, 10:41 (Mike White, Kevin Robinson)
1st -- MSU, John Benoist, 34:22 (penalty kick)
2OT -- MSU, Team (U-M own goal)

Shots: U-M 16, MSU 22
Saves: U-M 8 (Brad King 7, Team 1), MSU 4 (T.J. Lieckfelt)
Corner Kicks: U-M 1, MSU 9
Fouls: U-M 43, MSU 19
Cards: U-M, Kevin Taylor, 43:44 (yellow); U-M, Robert Turpin, 53:09 (yellow); MSU, John Benoist, 56:53 (yellow); U-M, Brian Peters, 58:12 (yellow); U-M, Mike White, 63:08 (yellow); U-M, JJ Kern, 100:02 (yellow)

N O T E S

-- The 2,173 fans was the largest crowd ever to witness a men's varsity soccer game.
-- Brian Peters recorded his first career goal.
-- Brad King made his first career start in goal and recorded seven saves.
-- The double assist on Peters' goal was the first time this season two Wolverines have assisted on one goal.
-- The 43 U-M fouls and 62 combined fouls were both season highs, and MSU's nine corner kicks were a Michigan opponent season high.

Q U O T E S

Head Coach Steve Burns
On the outcome of the game ... "We have to start to figure out how to win these (close) games. Both teams got stretched out in overtime, and we were reaching real deep. It's a nice way to start the rivalry, and we will be able to use this next year in East Lansing."

On the traveling trophy ... "Coach [Joe] Baum and I wanted to have some kind of trophy for this rivalry that the teams can pass back and forth. We hope that it takes a life on its own."

Contact: Steve Grialou (734) 763-4423

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