Kickers come close in OT loss

By David Mosse

Daily Sports Writer

It was to be nothing more than a learning experience. A lesson on how to play the game. But someone forgot to tell the Michigan men's soccer team, who Saturday at Elbel Field, took the nation's second ranked team, Penn State, to the brink before finally succumbing.

With a roster comprised of freshman and former club players, the Wolverines, in their first ever Big Ten conference game, played the Nittany Lions evenly for 90 minutes only to lose in overtime, 2-1.

The loss dropped the Wolverines to 3-3 on the season but at the same time proved Michigan belongs on the same field with any team in the country.

It was Pete Shellenberger who got Penn State on the board. 30 minutes into the game the Nittany Lions were awarded a throw-in near the touchline, which they sent into the box. A wild scramble ensued as Michigan failed to clear, and the ball squirted out to Shellenberger, who fired from the edge of the box past Geldres.

As the half drew to a close, Michigan did have one opportunity. Following a corner kick, freshman fullback Kevin Taylor soared through the air and connected on a header forcing a save by Penn State goalkeeper Ryan Sickman.

In the second half the Wolverines came out of their defensive shell and pushed forward towards a tying goal.

The pressure paid off in the 67th minute when Kevin Robinson scored a goal remarkably similar to Shellenberger's tally. Picking up a loose ball in the box, Robinson placed a shot past the outstretched hands of Sickman.

With the score tied at one and heavy rain falling at Elbel field, the Wolverines returned to their familiar counterattacking and very nearly took the lead. A perfect pass from Hirschfield found reserve forward Robert Turpin, who broke free of the defense but lost his footing and was unable to get off a shot.

As the game continued on into sudden death overtime, the intensity picked up and the pressure began to grow as any mistake could prove costly.

Eventually Michigan was the first to blink. A perfect cross from the left side from Oldfield found fellow midfielder Derek Potteiger who connected on a header for the winning goal, giving Penn State a 2-1 victory.

"It's a good game to reflect upon when you realize what we accomplished," Burns said. "But it still hurts to lose."