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Posted on Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 4:48 p.m.

Michigan men's soccer team advances to NCAA semifinals with double overtime win

By AnnArbor.com Staff

The Michigan men’s soccer team is moving on to the College Cup after a 3-2 double overtime win over Maryland in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Tied 2-2 against the No. 2-seed Terrapins, freshman midfielder Fabio Pereira finished a pass from Hamoody Saad to give Michigan the game-winner 3 minutes, 18 seconds into the second overtime session. It is the first goal of Pereira's college career.

The Wolverines (17-4-3) will play No. 3 seed Akron, which beat California in penalty kicks on Saturday, in an NCAA semifinal on Friday, Dec. 10, in Santa Barbara, Calif. Michigan hasn't lost a game since a 7-1 defeat at Akron on Oct. 19.

Things didn’t look good for the Wolverines early as Maryland forward Casey Townsend scored unassisted in the 17th minute. Maryland (19-3-1) controlled the pace of play and possession for the majority of the opening 45 minutes, but Michigan junior goalie Chris Blais kept the Wolverines in the match, recording five saves in the half.

The equalizer came from an unlikely source for the Wolverines, as senior defender Jeff Quijano did his part to secure a homecoming trip. Quijano - a Canoga Park, Calif., native - scored his first goal of the season tying the game less than five minutes into the second half. Just 10 minutes later, Justin Meram scored his fourth goal of the tournament to put Michigan ahead 2-1 in the 60th minute.

It was the first time since Maryland’s home opener against Michigan State that the Terrapins trailed at Ludwig Field and they didn’t intend to keep it that way, pressing forward relentlessly before Jason Herrick tied the game with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

Maryland amassed 33 shots on the day, eclipsing their season-high mark by 11, but could only manage to get two in the back of the net.

Maryland kept the momentum for the final 10 minutes of the game and through the first overtime session, but early in the second overtime Saad made a run to the end line and slotted a ball to the penalty marker for a sliding Pereira.

It was just the second time this season that Maryland has surrendered more than two goals.



Comments

Captain Dave

Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 12:44 p.m.

This is amazing seeing the football team doesn't have anyone that can even kick extra points dependable. Seems like the University could borrow someone off the soccer team to kick field goals and extra kicks. How about sharing with RR? The poor kicking this season has cost U of M at least 2 wins.

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Dec 5, 2010 : 3:48 a.m.

This should give them confidence, even though Akron had its season high in goals when they played seven weeks ago. Believe it or not, the Wolverines have the longest winning streak in the country. They've also pulled off the only two upsets in the last two rounds of the tournament. Heck of an accomplishment. I hope the semi-final is the late one on ESPN2.

przHim

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 : 5:35 p.m.

Very exciting game to watch...even on a fuzzy NCAA stream over the web. Congrats to Coach Burnsie and the boys!