Men's Soccer Bounces Back With Shutout Victory Over UM-Dearborn

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's soccer team bounced back from their midweek defeat in a big way, earning a 2-0 shutout victory over the visiting UM-Dearborn Wolverines at Lake Trust Stadium.

After an early chance by the Wolverines was fortunately off target, Cleary would settle into the game, and would control the action.  Cleary would have to work to break through the UM-Dearborn defense, and a golden opportunity came in the 21st minute when Adam Baldwin was sent behind the defense with only the keeper to beat.  Unfortunately for Baldwin and the Cougars, the shot hit the left post, and kept the Cougars off the scoreboard.  After drawing a foul in a dangerous area in the 36th minute, Jack Heald fired a shot that got through the wall and forced a diving save from the Wolverines, and gave Cleary a corner kick.  Luca Taylor would deliver a perfect ball to the back post, where Oscar Clarke headed it into the net, breaking the tie, and giving the Cougars a 1-0 first half lead.

The Wolverine defense would stay compact into the second half, as the Cougars once again had to work to break through the defense to generate offense.  Callum Johnson was dangerous, but just missed on a pair of opportunities, with one going over the net, and the second forcing a save out of UM-Dearborn.  In the late stages of the game, Cleary would draw a foul just past the mid-line.  On the resulting free kick, Oscar Clarke passed it wide to Dillon Croft, who sent in a shot from distance, beating the Wolverine keeper, and giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead with five minutes to play.  The Cougars defense would see out the game without allowing a Wolverine shot on target, and earning their second WHAC victory in three games.

Austin Freemire earned the victory in goal, but didn't have to make any saves in the effort, and is now 5-2 on the season.  Oscar Clarke had 3 points with 1 goal and 1 assist in the game.  Cleary outshot UM-Dearborn 17-4, with a 10-0 advantage on shots on target.  

Cleary improves to 8-2 overall, 2-1 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will host the Lourdes Gray Wolves on Wednesday, October 1, at 6:00 PM at Lake Trust Stadium in their next game.