Wolverines to Begin Final Home Week Tuesday vs. WMU
10/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Oct. 26, 2015
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THIS WEEK
Tuesday, Oct. 27 -- vs. Western Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
Tickets | | BTN Plus
PROMOTIONS
• Free Hot Chocolate -- The first 250 fans in attendance can receive a FREE hot chocolate by visiting the marketing table. [ more ]
THINGS TO KNOW
The University of Michigan men's soccer team (7-4-3, 2-2-2 Big Ten) enters a crucial week, beginning with a Tuesday night (Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.) home matchup against in-state opponent Western Michigan at U-M Soccer Stadium. U-M sits fourth in the Big Ten table (eight points) with a 2-2-2 record and begins the week ranked No. 44 in the latest NCAA RPI.
WOLVERINE BITES
• Michigan is 5-2-2 in the second half of the season and is outscoring teams 17-7 over that span. The Maize and Blue also holds distinct advantages in shots at 149-111 and in shots on goal at 55-39 over the exemplary run of form.
• The U-M offense ranks second in the conference with 1.64 goals per game. U-M is also No. 2 in total goals with 23, which already surpasses last season's total output with three matches to play in the regular season. The most goals U-M has scored in the Chaka Daley era was 30 in 2012.
• The offense is led by freshman Francis Atuahene, who ranks No. 13 nationally and second in the B1G in total points with 23, which is tied for 10th all-time in the single-season points list (Knox Cameron, 2002). He also ranks No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the conference in goals with 10, which is fifth in program history, and leads the conference in shots per game (4.36) and shots on goal per contest (1.93). He has scored a goal in seven of the last nine matches and has 17 points over that span.
• Junior Rylee Woods ranks No. 3 in the Big Ten in assists with five and leads the team in the category, while goalkeeper Evan Louro ranks first in conference in goals-against average at 0.81, which currently sits as the best mark in school history. Senior Colin McAtee, who has five goals and ranks second on the team in the category, ranks No. 7 in the Big Ten. He has scored four goals over the last six games.
• The U-M defense has allowed only one goal over the last three matches, with Evan Louro making 11 saves over that span. The back-to-back shutouts against Duquesne and Valparaiso marked the first time since the 2012 season that the Wolverines have help opponents scoreless in consecutive matches. U-M has allowed only 12 scores on the season, which is on pace to break the school record of 22 goals against in the 2009 campaign.
• Freshman Marcello Borges returned to a prominent role against Indiana after missing four matches due to United States U-20 duty. He logged 63 minutes of action against the Hoosiers after playing 35 minutes in the win over Valparaiso earlier in the week.
OPPONENT PREVIEW
Western Michigan -- The Broncos, who enter with an 8-3-3 overall record and are coming off a 1-1 draw against No. 5 Akron on Saturday (Oct. 24), and are unbeaten in the last three matches. The Broncos strength is their defense, as the squad has allowed only eight goals this season between two goalies. Drew Shepherd, an Ann Arbor native, ranks No. 1 nationally in goals-against average (0.25) and has allowed only two goals in 715 minutes of action.
Nick Wysong leads an offense that has scored 22 times this season, as he owns five goals and six assists for 16 points, while Edu Jimenez leads the squad in helpers with five. The Broncos are 2-2-1 on the road this season and have outshot opponents 207-105 on the season.
Michigan owns a 6-3 mark in the all-time series.
Keep Up With the Wolverines -- Stay current with everything going on with the Wolverines by following Michigan men's soccer on Twitter & Periscope (@umichsoccer), on Snapchat (@umichathletics) and "liking" the Wolverines on Facebook!
NEXT WEEK
Saturday, Oct. 31 -- Battle for Big Bear | Senior Day | vs. Michigan State (U-M Soccer Stadium), 5 p.m. [ BTN ]
Communications Contact: Scott Kemps
