No player ever forgets their first goal. But every once in a while, it’s just special enough to be memorable for each who witnesses it as well.
The two sophomores, defender Matthew Fisher and midfielder Duilio Herrera certainly gave the Michigan men’s soccer team a night to remember this Thursday. Each scored fantastic long-range efforts to open their collegiate scoring accounts in a 2-0 victory against Robert Morris in the first round of the NCAA College Cup.
Up against a resilient Colonial side, the Wolverines created few chances in the first period, and were lucky not to have conceded the first goal after facing two dangerous shots within their own 18-yard box. But in the 12th minute, Fisher saw his name up in lights.
After taking a throw-in on the left sideline near the corner of the box, Fisher received a deft touch back from graduate midfielder Bryce Blevins before spotting an opening inside. He dropped his defender to the ground before taking on the shot from 25 yards out, watching it sail straight into the top left corner of the net. And just like that, the sophomore defender’s eighth ever collegiate shot gave him a first career goal for the ages, and a 1-0 advantage to Michigan.
“I’m delighted he got his due reward on a big stage in a big game,” Wolverines coach Chaka Daley said. “He’s been giving his heart and soul. And you know, sometimes that doesn’t get rewarded when you’re a defender. I’m glad that he got rewarded with a great goal tonight.”
Following a defensive system change this season from Daley, Fisher’s role evolved. In last year’s traditional back four, Fisher’s most common position was left back, which afforded the then-freshman full back the opportunity to contribute more often in the attack. But in Daley’s new back five, Fisher sits alongside junior and sophomore defenders Nolan Miller and Will Baker, respectively, as a center back trio, sacrificing his darting runs up the sideline to the wing backs.
So when Fisher found himself in the attacking third Thursday, finding a teammate wasn’t on his mind. The prospect of reaping the benefits of an entire season’s worth of defensive dirty work fueled his right boot, and his elation showed in his passionate knee-slide right in front of the Michigan faithful.
After dominating second-half possession and limiting Robert Morris to only one shot, the Wolverines’ lone early goal seemed increasingly likely to be sufficient enough to advance. But second-half substitute Herrera wanted extra security.
With 10 minutes to go, Herrera found a pocket of space on the half-turn in midfield after being found by fellow sophomore midfielder Murphy Parker. A quick turn of pace from Herrera forced Colonial forward Chase Gilley to attempt to slow him down with a slide tackle, clipping Herrera’s ankles. But a determined Herrera quickly regained his balance before getting rid of another defender with a swift body-feint. A left-footed thunderbolt quickly ensued, almost ripping through the top right corner for the best Wolverine goal — since the one 68 minutes prior.
“The biggest thing I’ll tell you about Duilio is that his attitude never changes,” Daley said. “Whether he’s starting, whether he’s coming off the bench, whether he gives you five minutes or whether he gives you 90 minutes, he’s the same Duilio.”
If Fisher’s first half strike wasn’t enough to break the spirit of Robert Morris, Herrera certainly sunk the dagger.
“I couldn’t ask for a better script,” Daley said. “For two guys who found a way to score goals today, two guys that I think are quite unselfish and great teammates.”
Having never scored for Michigan, Fisher and Herrera couldn’t have picked many better moments to make their marks. And after scoring two goal-of-the-year candidates, opening their collegiate scoring accounts and handing the Wolverines their first NCAA College Cup victory since 2019, it’s fair to say the stars aligned for the two Michigan sophomores.
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