Wolverines Open Up Big Ten Play with No. 19 Penn State

» The Wolverines meet up with their fifth ranked opponent of the season, No. 19 Penn State.
» Last year's meeting with the Nittany Lions historic for Michigan as it earned its first victory over a ranked opponent. » The Wolverines are ranked No. 12, the highest ranking the team has received in the six-year history of the program.
» U-M is currently on the nation's longest winning streak dating back to the 2018 season.

THIS WEEK
Saturday, March 16 -- vs. Penn State (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), noon
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The No. 12-ranked University of Michigan women's lacrosse team opens its Big Ten Conference season Saturday (March 16) when it hosts No. 19 Penn State at U-M Lacrosse Stadium. First draw against the Nittany Lions is set for noon with the game to be broadcast live on BTN Plus.

U-M is a program-best 9-0 and in the midst of a nation-best 11-game win streak that goes back to its final two games of the 2018 season. In the Wolverines' final game last year, they defeated then-No. 16 Penn State, 12-11; it was Michigan's first win against a ranked opponent in program history. Since that game, the Wolverines have faced -- and defeated -- four ranked opponents.

Series History with Penn State

• The Wolverines and Nittany Lions will meet for the sixth time in the history of the two programs.
• Penn State leads the all-time series, 4-1, with Michigan's lone win coming in last season's finale.
• For the first time in the history of the programs, both teams are ranked when playing against one another. Michigan comes in at No. 12 and Penn State is No. 19 in the latest IWLCA Coaches Poll.

Scouting the Nittany Lions

• Penn State is 4-3 overall on the season and 1-2 when it has been tested on the road.
• The Nittany Lions have taken on four ranked opponents and one common opponent as Penn State opened its season with a 13-7 victory over then-No. 11 Towson.
• Penn State is narrowly outscoring its opponents, 80-78, with Madison Carter netting a team-best 17 goals. Kayla Brisolari and Nicolai Quinn each have 10.
• Brisolari and Carter lead the draw control for Penn State with 28 and 24 wins, respectively, while Brisolari has a team-best 18 ground balls.
• Taylor Suplee as started all seven games, allowing 67 goals and making 58 saves for a .464 save percentage.

A Look Back Before Heading into Big Ten Play

• Michigan averages 14.5 goals per game and allows 7.4 goals per contest.
• U-M has played in five games this season in which they have scored at least 15 goals, including a program-best 20-goal performance against Central Michigan.
• The Wolverines have locked up four wins by 10 goals or more, doubling its two from a season ago.
• Michigan has had its share of close contests, winning four games by two goals or fewer, including a sudden-goal victory over then-No. 25 Dartmouth.

The Streaks

• Michigan holds the nation's longest win streak (11), which dates back to April 21, 2018, when U-M ended its home season with a 16-9 victory over East Carolina. • The Wolverines also hold a nation-best nine wins and seek the program's first season with double-digit wins. • Michigan ranks 10th nationally with six straight home wins, dating back to its victory last season against East Carolina.

Coming Up Clutch

• Junior Molly Garrett has come up clutch for the Wolverines twice the season at U-M Lacrosse Stadium, scoring two game-winners.
• Both game-winners were similar, with Maggie Kane winning the draw control and Garrett finding the back of the net just seconds later.
• Up 11-8 in the second half against Towson, Michigan allowed the Tigers to come back and tie the game with three unanswered goals and 23 seconds left in regulation.
• Kane won the draw control for the Wolverines before head coach Hannah Nielsen called a timeout with 15 seconds remaining to draw up the final play.
• Garrett fired a shot just under the crossbar to push Michigan to a 12-11 lead with 10 seconds remaining.
• The junior midfielder also scored the game-winner against then-No. 25 Dartmouth (Feb. 17) in the second overtime period.

Offensive Output

• Michigan has scored 131 goals in nine games this season (14.5 per game).
• In 2018, the Wolverines scored 168 goals. This year's squad is on pace to net 248 goals, which would shatter the program record of 182.
• The Wolverines have outscored their opponents 131-67 this season.

Ticket Information

• Individual and group tickets are on sale for all remaining U-M women's lacrosse home games this season.
• For group experiences, call (734) 647-1268 or email gobluegroupsales@umich.edu.
• Visit the women's lacrosse tickets page for more information and to purchase tickets.

Up Next

Thursday, March 21 – at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 7 p.m.