Week #5: Wolverines to Host WMU, Travel to Northwestern
9/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 20, 2016
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THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Sept. 21 -- vs. Western Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
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Sunday, Sept. 25 -- at Northwestern (Evanston, Ill.), 1 p.m. CDT
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The University of Michigan men's soccer team (0-4-3, 0-3-0 B1G) hosts the Western Michigan Broncos (6-1) on Wednesday (Sept. 21) at 7:30 p.m. in a non-conference tilt, followed by a trip to Northwestern (1-5-1, 0-2-1 B1G) on Sunday (Sept. 25) at 1 p.m. CDT.
PROMOTIONS
• Western Michigan -- National Miniature Golf Day, BCBSM Penalty Kicks [ more ]
TWEET OF THE WEEK
See YOU Wednesday night at U-M Soccer Stadium, as we host @WMUMensSoccer!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/gQXEgcdtIt
-- U-M Men's Soccer (@umichsoccer) September 20, 2016
WOLVERINE BITES
• Although U-M has scored only five goals in seven matches this season, the Wolverines are No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 18 nationally in shots per contest, averaging 16.14 a match. Sophomore Francis Atuahene and freshman Jack Hallahan (19 shots) are both tied for the team lead, while sophomore Marcello Borges, who transferred to a more defensive role prior to the Indiana match, is third on the team in the category with 14.
• Michigan has outshot teams, 113-100, on the campaign and owns a 44-37 margin in shots on goal. The Wolverines have won the category in all but one match (Aug. 29 at FGCU). Additionally, U-M has outshot opponents, 73-54, in the second half and overtime but has been outscored, 7-3, in that span.
• With two goals in five matches this season, sophomore Francis Atuahene has 12 markers in his career and has scored goals in nine of the 19 matches he has played in as a Wolverine. He sits tied for 10th all-time in the U-M record books in career goals with Kevin Taylor (2000-03).
• Junior goalkeeper Evan Louro ranks No. 13 in the NCAA in minutes played through seven matches (710 minutes played) and is No. 3 in the Big Ten in saves per game with 3.17. His shutout of the Bulls of USF earlier this season was the 10th in his career, tying him for fourth in school history with Chris Blais (2007-10).
• In the matchup between the two sides Wednesday, there will be 21 players that hail from the Mitten State. A trio of the students hail from Ann Arbor in U-M's Tristan Jacob as well as Western Michigan's Drew Shepherd and Baba Valdmanis.
OPPONENT PREVIEW
Western Michigan -- The Broncos will enter the matchup as one of the hottest sides in the country with a 6-1 overall mark on the season and have outscored teams, 17-4, on the year. Additionally, they rank in the top 10 in the NCAA in assists (18), scoring offense (2.43 goals a match) and total points (52). Brandon Bye has been the matriarch of the offense, as he owns five goals, four assists and 14 points, which ranks No. 10 in the country.
Goalkeeper Drew Shepherd boasts a 0.57 goals-against average, ranking him No. 20 in the country and is stopping 73 percent of shots faced.
Northwestern -- The Wildcats, who host DePaul on Wednesday (Sept. 21) in non-conference action, most recently played to a 0-0 draw at No. 3 Indiana on Saturday (Sept. 18), earning its first Big Ten result of the season. Overall, the Wildcats are 1-5-1 on the year and 0-2-1 in B1G play. NU's win came over a common opponent in FGCU, which the Wildcats knocked off, 2-1, on Aug. 26 in Evanston.
The Wildcats have been outscored 11-5 on the season and are led offensively by Brandon Medina and Jeff Hopson, each of whom have netted a pair of scores on the year. Francisco Tomasino has featured in goal in six matches on the campaign, making 23 saves and owning a goals-against average of 1.52.
Keep Up With the Wolverines -- Stay current with everything going on with the Wolverines by following Michigan men's soccer on Twitter (@umichsoccer), on Snapchat (@umichathletics) and "liking" the Wolverines on Facebook!
NEXT WEEK
Wednesday, Sept. 28 -- vs. Detroit (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 2 -- vs. Penn State (U-M Soccer Stadium), Noon
Communications Contact: Scott Kemps
