Michigan to Host Top-10 Matchups vs. No. 3 Rutgers, No. 8 Maryland This Weekend

» No. 2 Michigan welcomes No. 3 Rutgers at 4:30 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 22) and No. 8 Maryland at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 24) for its last regular-season homestand at Ocker Field.
» The Wolverines, who lead the nation with an average attendance of 800, remains unbeaten (5-0) at home this season.
» Michigan is ranked third in the nation in scoring average (3.78) and scoring margin (2.81); 10 of its last 13 goals have come off the penalty-corner attack.

THIS WEEK
Friday, Oct. 22 -- vs. #3 Rutgers (Phyllis Ocker Field), 4:30 p.m.
TV: B1G+ | Live Stats | Live Video
Sunday, Oct. 24 -- vs. Maryland (Phyllis Ocker Field), 1 p.m.
TV: B1G+ | Live Stats | Live Video

• Game Day Information: Phyllis Ocker Field Information | Free Admission

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The No. 2-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team (12-1, 4-1 Big Ten) will wrap up the home portion of its regular-season schedule with a pair of top-10 matchups this weekend at Phyllis Ocker Field. The Wolverines host No. 3 Rutgers (12-2, 4-1 Big Ten) at 4:30 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 22) before celebrating Senior Day against No. 8 Maryland (10-5, 1-4 Big Ten) at 1 p.m. on Sunday (Oct. 24). Both contests will be streamed live on B1G+.

Wolverine Bites

• The Wolverines will honor their three graduating "super" seniors -- graduate student Kate Burney and fifth-year seniors Halle O'Neill and Emma Tamer -- prior to Sunday's home finale. Over the last five seasons, the quintet has contributed to a sterling 75-21 record, three Big Ten regular-season titles, two Big Ten Tournament titles and four NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the NCAA final four in 2017 and spring 2021.

• Michigan saw its undefeated streak to start the season halted with its 2-1 shootout loss at No. 1 Iowa last Friday (Oct. 15). The 11-0 start was the best in program history. The Wolverines outscored their opposition 45-8 over the stretch. Michigan got back on the winning track with a 5-3 decision at Indiana last Sunday (Oct. 17) to improve to 12-1 on the season.

• Despite the loss, the Wolverines remained No. 2 in the most recent NFHCA coach poll -- behind No. 1 Iowa. U-M owns seven wins over ranked teams, including No. 1 North Carolina (3-2, Aug. 27) in the season opener and, more recently, No. 6 Northwestern (2-1, Oct. 8), and No. 3 Louisville (2-1, Oct. 10). The Big Ten Conference boasts six teams in the top 10 and five of the top six spot in the rankings. [ NFHCA Coaches Poll ]

• Michigan is a perfect 5-0 at Ocker Field this season, outscoring its opponents 24-4 at home. The Wolverines lead the nation in average attendance (800) and list second in total attendance (4,002). U-M owns an impressive 196-56 record at its home facility since its 1995 inauguration, including a stout 91-19 mark over the last 11 seasons.

• Michigan's penalty corner has been particularly effective its last six games, with 10 of its 13 goals over the stretch coming off the attack corner. Conversely, U-M has not allowed a goal from the field over the last six games. Omitting Iowa's shootout tally, all seven of U-M's opponents' goals over the six-game stretch also have come from the penalty corner.

• Michigan lists third nationally with a 3.78 scoring average and 2.81 scoring margin. Senior Sofia Southam ranked second with a 1.45 goals-per-game average this season -- behind North Carolina's two-time NFHCA National Player of the Year Erin Matson with 1.50. Southam has tallied 16 goals in 11 appearances this season and boasts four multi-goal games and four game-winners. She entered the season with 11 career goals, while her previous season best was five as a freshman.

• Michigan ranks seventh nationally with a 0.96 goals-against average, while senior goalkeeper Anna Spieker individually lists 10th with a 1.04 GAA. The Wolverines have earned four shutouts with two complete-game efforts for Spieker. With 20 career shutouts, Spieker shares the second spot on Michigan's career leaders list, tied with Laure Pieri (20, 1976-79). Sam Swenson (2014-17) owns the program record with 23 career shutouts.

Scouting the Opposition
Rutgers -- The Scarlet Knights enter the weekend with a 12-2 record on the season and are 4-1 in Big Ten play after defeating Maryland, 1-0, and Columbia, 2-0, in their most recent outings (Oct. 15-17). Goalkeeper Gianna Glatz is ranked sixth in the nation for save percentage (.811) and has earned four straight shutouts entering the weekend. Michigan leads the all-time series against the Scarlet Knights, 10-1, dating back to 1992. U-M twice defeated Rutgers 1-0 last season at Ocker Field.

Maryland -- The Terrapins are 10-5 entering the weekend and 1-4 in the Big Ten after splitting games against Rutgers (L, 0-1) and UConn (W, 3-2) this past weekend (Oct. 15-17). Goalkeeper Noelle Frost recorded her 200th career save while head coach, Missy Meharg tallied her 600th win with the Terps in those weekend games. Bibi Donraat leads the team with eight goals this season followed by Hope Rose, a two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, with six. Maryland holds an 18-4 advantage in the all-time series against Michigan. U-M has claimed four of the last six meetings, including each of the last three.

Last Time Out

The Wolverines split a pair of road games last weekend, suffering their first loss of the season 2-1 in a shootout at No. 1 Iowa before bouncing back with a 5-3 decision at Indiana. U-M sacrificed a late lead against the Hawkeyes, who scored with less than three minutes left in regulation to force overtime. Five different Wolverines tallied a goal against IU, while three of Michigan's five goals were scored on a penalty corner. Senior inserter Kathryn Peterson posted a goal and an assist, while senior stopper Katie Anderson earned a pair of assists. [ Recaps: Iowa | Indiana ]

Up Next

Friday, Oct. 29 -- at Penn State (State College, Pa.), 6 p.m.