Michigan
Rutgers
Wolverines to Host Rutgers in Big Ten Matchup
10/4/2017 10:44:00 AM | Men's Soccer
» Michigan enters the week receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll, is ranked No. 29 in the College Soccer News Top 30 National Poll and No. 22 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com rankings. In the NCAA RPI, U-M is ranked No. 22.
» At 3-1-1, the Wolverines are off to their best Big Ten start since 2013.
» At halftime of Friday's match, U-M will honor the 1997 NCSA National Championship team, as well as more than 50 alumni from years past.
• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter
• Match Day Information: U-M Soccer Stadium Information | Ticket Information
THIS WEEK
Friday, Oct. 6 -- vs. Rutgers (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m.
Tickets | Live Stats
The University of Michigan men's soccer team (6-3-2, 3-1-1 B1G) plays host to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-8-1, 0-5-0 B1G) on Friday (Oct. 6) at U-M Soccer Stadium. The matchup, slated for a 7 p.m. start, will also honor the 1997 U-M NSCA National Championship team.
PROMOTIONS
• Rutgers: Staff Appreciation Night [ More promotions ]
WOLVERINE BITES
• The Wolverines (6-3-2, 3-1-1 B1G) own their best record through 11 matches season since 2010 (6-2-3). At 3-1-1, the team's best Big Ten start since 2013, has U-M in third place in the Big Ten standings with 10 points.
• Michigan is No. 4 in the conference in shots per game (13.64) and ranks third in the league in helpers (1.45/match). Sophomore Jack Hallahan leads the team in goals (four), assists (four) and ranks No. 4 in the league in each category, while his 12 points rank second. The assist mark for the Irish international is a new career best, while the four goals equal his output from the entire 2016 season.
• U-M has utilized eight different starting lineup combinations due to various circumstances. Only two players (junior Robbie Mertz and freshman Marc Ybarra) have started all 11 matches, while key contributors in freshman Mohammed Zakyi, sophomore Abdou Samake, juniors Daniel Mukuna, Francis Atuahene, and Ivo Cerda have all missed significant time due to injuries.
• Michigan has outscored teams 15-10 on the season, including a 5-2 margin in the first half. The program record for fewest goals allowed in a season (20) was set in 2015. The program standard for fewest goals allowed in the first half of action is seven, which was set in the 2011 season.
• U-M enters the week receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll. Additionally, the Maize and Blue are ranked No. 29 in the College Soccer News Top 30 National Poll and No. 22 in the TopDrawerSoccer.com rankings. In the initial NCAA RPI, the Wolverines are No. 22.
• According to HERO Sports, U-M has played the No. 23 schedule in the country, highlighted by a 1-1 draw at then-No. 1 Indiana on Sept. 13. In the initial NCAA RPI rankings, future opponents Notre Dame (7), Ohio State (14) and Maryland (17) all check in the top 20.
OPPONENT PREVIEWS
Scouting Rutgers
Rutgers enters the matchup with a 2-8-1 overall mark as well as a 0-5 Big Ten record. Most recently, RU was defeated by Wisconsin, 3-2, on Sunday (Oct. 1) and have been outscored 11-3 in Big Ten play. In total, Rutgers has been outscored, 30-12, and outshot, 188-119.
Ethan Decker leads the team in goals (two), while Dante Perez paces the side in helpers with a pair. Goalkeeper Rafael Pereira leads the conference and is No. 13 in the NCAA in saves per contest (5.36), while his 59 saves lead the Big Ten and put him No. 3 in the NCAA.
Series vs. Rutgers
U-M owns a 3-2-1 mark in the all-time series. As a member of the Big Ten, the Wolverines are 1-1-1 against the Scarlet Knights, with the victory coming by a 3-0 score during the 2015 season in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Tweet of the Week
.@umichsoccer displays ESLA students' work at game, continuing the collaboration between the team & @A2Scarlett. https://t.co/wRTMsdqaro pic.twitter.com/ZtZjxfmPVj
— A2 Public Schools (@A2schools) September 29, 2017
Keep Up With the Wolverines
Stay current with everything going on with the Wolverines by following Michigan men's soccer on Twitter (@umichsoccer), Snapchat (@umichathletics) and "liking" the Wolverines on Facebook at "MichiganSoccer."
NEXT WEEK
Tuesday, Oct. 10 -- at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 7Â p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 14 -- vs. Omaha (U-M Soccer Stadium), 4Â p.m.
