Michigan
Merrimack
Michigan to Welcome Merrimack to Ann Arbor
2/20/2020 10:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
» Sophomore Bryce Clay has 12 goals through three games to lead the team and ranks No. 13 in the NCAA in goals per game.
» Through three games, U-M has played 16 newcomers, with six earning starting nods.
» Merrimack is in its first season as a Division I program after winning each of the last two NCAA Division II National Championships. They are seeking their first D-I win.
THIS WEEK
Saturday, Feb. 22 -- vs. Merrimack (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), 1 p.m.
TV: BTN+ | Tickets | Live Stats | Live Video | Digital Program
• Listen: Coach Conry Interview (WTKA)
PROMOTIONS
• Feb. 22: Poster Giveaway
• Full Promotions Schedule
• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The University of Michigan men's lacrosse team (2-1) will finish off a two-game week with a matchup against 2018 and 2019 NCAA Division II National Champion Merrimack on Saturday (Feb. 22) at 1 p.m. at U-M Lacrosse Stadium. The Warriors, in their first season as an NCAA Division I program, are seeking their first win.
Wolverine Bites
• Offensively, U-M is led sophomore Bryce Clay, who has 12 goals through three games and ranks No. 13 in the NCAA in goals per game, while freshman Josh Zawada leads U-M with seven assists (2.33/game).
• Through three games, U-M has played 16 newcomers with six earning starting nods. Starters include freshman Josh Zawada, Jake Bonomi, Jacob Jackson, Ryan Schriber, and Walt Alexander, as well as sophomore transfer Drake Schaffner.
• With 86 points (46 goals, 31 assists), junior Alex Buckanavage is fifth in school history in career points and is 14 points away from becoming the fifth Wolverine to reach the 100-point plateau. If accomplished this season, he would become the first player to reach the mark during his junior year.
• Michigan's man-down defense unit has allowed two goals on 11 opportunities, holding opponents scoreless on nine opportunities (82 percent). Sophomore faceoff man Nick Rowlett ranks No. 3 in the Big Ten, winning 59 percent of his draws (31-for-53).
• With five goals against Canisius, junior Kevin Mack has a point in 29 straight games and has a point in all but one of his contests as a Wolverine. Former teammate Brent Noseworthy (2016-19) holds the program record for consecutive games with a point at 35.
• U-M is No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 11 nationally in ground ball pickups, averaging 38 per game. Against Canisius, U-M collected 50 ground balls to establish a new program best.
• Per Lacrosse Reference, Michigan boasts a top-25 ranking in offensive efficiency (30.6 percent) and checks in at No. 28 in defensive efficiency (25 percent). Both Zawada (11.49) and Clay (10.15) lead the team in expected goals added.
Opponent Preview
Merrimack
Merrimack, in its first seasons as a Division I program after winning the 20180 and 2019 NCAA Division II National Title, enters the contest with an 0-3 record, with all three defeats coming by three goals or fewer. Most recently, the Warriors fell, 14-11, to Fairfield on Tuesday (Feb. 18). Losses have also come against Holy Cross (13-12) and Dartmouth (13-11).
Charlie Bertrand leads the offense with 14 points (11G, 3A) on 36 shots, while Christian Thomas has 11 points with seven goals and four helpers. Sean Black has yet to score a goal, but has nine assists to rank No. 13 nationally, and also leads the team with eight ground balls. Last season in the D-II ranks, all three posted 90-plus points with Black scoring 35 goals and dishing out 75 assists (107 points).
Davis Cronin and Allyn French have combined to go 37 of 83 at the dot (45 percent), while Riley Reed and Carlin Joyal pace the team in caused turnovers with four.
Goalie Peter Brown has been the primary option in goal, stopping 43 percent of shots faced and boats a goals-against average of 14.00. He boasts 26 saves on the campaign as well.
This will be the first meeting between Merrimack and Michigan in men's lacrosse.
Ticket Information
Tickets for all remaining U-M men's lacrosse home games are on sale, with general admission tickets available for $6 and group tickets (10 or more) on sale for $3 each. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the men's lacrosse tickets page.
Keep Up With the Wolverines
Stay current with everything going on with the Wolverines by following Michigan men's lacrosse on Twitter and Instagram (@umichlacrosse), on Snapchat (@umichathletics) and "liking" the Wolverines on Facebook! Inside access can also be seen via the team's YouTube page by searching "MGoBlueLacrosse."
Up Next
Saturday, Feb. 29 -- vs. St. John's (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), 3 p.m.
