Wolverines to Host Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament Opener

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The University of Michigan men's soccer team (9-4-4) begins postseason play this week, hosting Michigan State (3-11-3) in the quarterfinal round of the Big Ten Tournament on Sunday (Nov. 10) at U-M Soccer Stadium. The match will begin at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network. Chris Doran and Jason Garey will be on the call.

It will be the second meeting between the teams in the last 12 days. The Wolverines won the lone regular-season matchup, 2-0, on Oct. 29 at U-M Soccer Stadium, to recapture the Big Bear Trophy. This will be the first meeting between the teams in the Big Ten Tournament since 2012. The team that advances Sunday will play either No. 2-seed Penn State or No. 7 seed Wisconsin in the semifinals, which will be played next Friday (Nov. 15) at 7 p.m. at Maryland's Ludwig Field.

Team Notes

• With its 4-2 win at Maryland last Sunday (Nov. 3), Michigan secured a third-place finish in the Big Ten (15 points, 4-1-3). The program has three consecutive top-three Big Ten finishes for the first time in program history (1st in 2017, T-3rd in 2018, 3rd in 2019).

• U-M is 14-18-1 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament. The Wolverines have won at least one match in three consecutive Big Ten Tournaments, reaching the semifinals in 2017 and the championship match in 2018. Under head coach Chaka Daley, U-M is 6-7-0 in the Big Ten Tournament.

• U-M vaulted to No. 23 in the latest edition of the RPI, released Monday (Nov. 4). The Wolverines are 2-2-1 against RPI top-25 teams this season, with all three results coming away from home. They have wins at Notre Dame (No. 15) and Maryland (No. 22), and also have a draw at Penn State (No. 9). [ RPI ]

• Michigan is coming off a four-goal performance at Maryland last Sunday (Nov. 3). The last time U-M scored four goals in a road match was a 4-1 win at Oakland on Sept. 23, 2015. The four goals at Maryland were the most scored against a top-25 team on the road in program history.

• Graduate student Nebojsa Popovic won the Big Ten golden boot this season, finishing the regular season with the most goals (10) and points (23).

• The Wolverines finished the regular season with the Big Ten's best defense, conceding only five goals in eight conference matches (two on penalty kicks). The back line limited opponents to 7.6 shots per match, allowing opponents to reach double digits in shots only twice (Ohio State, Indiana). Since the start of last season -- during which Michigan set a school record with only 18 goals allowed in 21 matches -- U-M has posted a 0.81 goals-against average (32 goals in 3,566 minutes).

• Freshman Owen Finnerty has taken the reins in goal, starting the last two matches after coming on in relief of senior Andrew Verdi on Oct. 25 against Wisconsin. Finnerty earned the shutout in his first career start against Michigan State on Oct. 29, and made three saves in the 4-2 win at Maryland on Nov. 3. With their combined efforts, U-M ranks 19th nationally and first in the Big Ten in goals-against average (0.80).

• Michigan ranks 10th nationally and first in the Big Ten in total assists (37). Junior Marc Ybarra finished the regular season as the Big Ten leader in assists (eight), recording twice as many helpers this year as the past two years combined.

• Senior Jack Hallahan posted a five-point day at Maryland, scoring two goals and adding an assist. He has 69 points for his career (24G, 21A), the third-best total in school history. With one more point, Hallahan can add his name to a short list of Michigan players to record 70-plus points in a career, joining Mychal Turpin (85, 2001-04) and Knox Cameron (72, 2001-04).

• Junior Mohammed Zakyi returned to the starting lineup at Maryland and scored his third goal of the season. He missed 10 matches this season due to injury. Though he has missed periods of play in his Michigan career due to injury, Zakyi has proven to be a difference-maker when healthy, tallying 30 points (11G, 8A) in 38 career matches.

Opponent Preview

MICHIGAN STATE is 3-11-3 and finished fifth in the Big Ten (10 points, 3-4-1). The Spartans have scored 12 goals this season and are averaging 10.8 shots per match. Michael Miller, Alex Shterenberg and Farai Mutatu lead the team offensively, combining for six goals and seven assists. Hunter Morse has played every minute in net, posting 74 saves with 1.20 goals against average.

Series: U-M is 8-14-2 all-time against Michigan State.