By Steve Kornacki
DEARBORN, Mich. – Vito Serra got things going for the Wolverines with a goal that continued his strong early start to the men's soccer season.
However, Brazilian Lucca Motta's penalty kick goal in the extra time session made nationally-ranked Indiana Tech a 2-1 winner over the University of Michigan-Dearborn Saturday (Sept. 25) in a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference opener at Charles Jestice Field.
Serra got UM-Dearborn on the scoreboard first in the 30th minute of the game. The senior midfielder from Macomb Dakota also scored the Wolverines' initial goal last Saturday (Sept. 18) in what ended up being an extra time win against St. Francis, Ind.
"Vito knows the game real well," said Wolverines coach Worteh Sampson. "He came from an environment where the level was always high as a youth. And, so, making that transition to college ball was something he could do smoothly.
"He works hard and everybody follows his lead. We like him. We are really happy to have Vito. He's been one of the best players to play the game this season."
Serra celebrated with his teammates near the goal and then ran down the sideline slapping hands with those on the bench.
"Those are the little things he does that brings us together," said Sampson. "He's truly a good leader."
The Warriors tied the score in the 69th minute on a goal by graduate student Maxwell Amoako of Ghana. Indiana Tech featured players from 10 different countries on its roster.
Goalie Everest Brace made five saves in the game for the Wolverines (1-6, 0-1 WHAC). He came out to stop a hard, point-blank shot at the right side of the goal early in the second half to keep his shutout going at that point.
"Everest is a professional," Sampson said with a smile. "That's what I call him, a professional. He's pretty humble, and manages the game well. He gets the ball to his teammates when he has to. He gets everyone on the same page and is a good No. 1 guy."
The Warriors never led in the game until the final kick.
"They are the No. 9 team in the country and haven't lost a conference game in two years," said Sampson. "So, unfortunately, it had to end this way. But I'm very proud of the boys and the effort they put in over 95 minutes."
