The University of Michigan men’s soccer team faced its first loss of the 2024 season on Friday, October 4, when they were defeated 6-3 by the fourth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at U-M Soccer Stadium. This was a tough setback for Michigan, who had previously enjoyed an undefeated record. The loss brings the Wolverines’ general
record to 5-1-4 and their Big Ten record to 1-1-3.
Wolverines’ Scoring Contributions
Despite the tough loss, the Wolverines had several standout performances. Oliver Martin continued his strong form by scoring his second consecutive goal of the season, bringing his total for the year to three. Martin’s goal came in the 60th minute of the match after a well-placed assist by Dylan Davis, marking Davis’ first career point. In addition to Martin, two other Wolverines managed to find the back of the net. Beto Soto scored in the 80th minute, and Jason Bucknor added another goal shortly after, in the 85th minute.
Davis’ assist for Martin was particularly notable, as it marked a significant milestone for the freshman. Joao Paulo Ramos also contributed with an assist on Soto’s goal, while Murphy Parker recorded his first career assist during Bucknor’s late goal. Though the Wolverines were unable to close the gap in the final minutes, these contributions demonstrated the potential for offensive growth moving forward.
Michigan Vs. Ohio State (image via Getty)Game Summary
The Buckeyes (8-0-2, 3-0-1 Big Ten) took control of the match early on, as Marko Barkovic scored the opening goal in the 7th minute. Barkovic slid the ball past Michigan goalkeeper Isaiah Goldson after a well-executed play, marking the first time Michigan had conceded the first goal this season. Ohio State quickly doubled its lead in the 15th minute with another goal from David Wrona.
Despite the early setbacks, Michigan remained competitive. However, Ohio State’s defense held strong, and the Wolverines were unable to break through before halftime. Heading into the second half, the Buckeyes led 2-0.
In the 60th minute, Michigan responded. Davis intercepted a pass, advanced into the penalty box, and found Martin for a clinical finish, cutting the lead to 2-1. But Ohio State answered back quickly. In the 70th minute, Michael Andedokun extended the Buckeyes’ lead to 3-1. The goal sparked a flurry of activity, as Ohio State scored three more goals in rapid succession, making it 6-1 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
Though Soto and Bucknor added late goals for Michigan, it was not enough to mount a comeback. The match ended 6-3 in favor of Ohio State, marking the Wolverines’ first loss of the 2024 season.
Looking Ahead
Following this loss, Michigan will aim to bounce back with their next match against Notre Dame. The Wolverines will travel to South Bend, Indiana, for a 7 p.m. showdown on Tuesday, November 8, at Alumni Stadium.
Etruesports will continue to follow Michigan’s soccer season, providing updates, analysis, and coverage of the team’s performance in upcoming matches. Fans can count on Etruesports for the latest insights into Michigan’s progress throughout the season. Stay tuned for more sports coverage and updates as Michigan looks to regroup after this challenging loss.
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