Michigan
Rutgers
U-M to Wrap Four-Game Road Trip With No. 8 Rutgers, Nebraska
10/5/2021 4:45:00 PM | Women's Soccer
» Michigan is ranked No. 16 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and is No. 6 in the latest NCAA RPI rankings.
» The Wednesday tilt versus Rutgers will mark the first ranked opponent U-M has faced this season.
» Senior goalkeeper Hillary Beall was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week on Tuesday.
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Oct. 6 -- at #8 Rutgers (Piscataway, N.J.), 1 p.m.
TV: B1G+ | Live Stats | Live Video
Sunday, Oct. 10 -- at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.), Noon CDT
TV: Big Ten Network | Live Stats | Live Video
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The No. 16-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team (8-1-3, 2-0-2 Big Ten) concludes a four-match road trip, taking on No. 8 Rutgers (9-2-0, 4-0-0 Big Ten) on Wednesday (Oct. 6) at 1 p.m. in Piscataway, N.J. The week closes out with a matchup at Nebraska (4-7-2, 0-3-2)Â in Lincoln on Sunday (Oct. 11) at noon CDT. Wednesday's match will be broadcast via B1G+, while Sunday's match will be broadcast nationally on Big Ten Network.
Wolverine Bites
• U-M's roster contains one New Jersey native in junior Emily Leyson (Long Valley, N.J.).
• Wednesday's (Oct. 6) match at No. 8 Rutgers was originally slated for Sept. 23, but that contest was canceled due to weather. U-M is in the midst of a four-match road swing and is the most longest stretch away from Ann Arbor since 2008 when U-M started the season with the four away fixtures.
• Michigan's 27 overall standings points (8-1-3 record) are its most through 12 matches since the 2014 season.
• In the latest United Soccer Coaches poll released Tuesday (Oct. 5), Michigan is ranked No. 16 and is No. 6 in the latest NCAA RPI rankings. The Wolverines also boast a strength of schedule of 20.
• U-M has conceded only six goals on the campaign, and has yet to allow multiple goals in any match. The six goals surrendered are the program's fewest through 12 matches since 2012. TheWolverines' goals-against average of .474 is No. 11 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten.
• On Tuesday (Oct. 5), senior goalkeeper Hillary Beall was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Week for the third time in her career. She is 20th nationally in goals-against average (.543) and ranks second in the Big Ten. Against Purdue on Thursday (Sept. 30), Beall stopped a pair of shots and followed with a season-best six stops against Indiana on Sunday (Oct. 3).
• U-M is outshooting opponents 257-101 and outscoring them 20-6. The Wolverines rank No. 9 in the NCAA in shots (21.42/match) and top the Big Ten in the category. Collectively, U-M has outshot all but one opponent on the year -- Indiana (16-11, Oct. 3).
• Senior Nicki Hernandez is tied for 11th in the conference in total goals (five), and ranks No. 7 in the conference in shots (3.75/match) and No. 4 in shots on goal (1.50/match). Her 12 points rank No. 8 in the league. Classmate Raleigh Loughman is the other Wolverine in double-digit points, boasting three goals and four assists (10 points).
• Against Purdue, strikers Dani Wolfe and Sammi Woods each marked goals. Traditionally a like-for-like sub, it was the first match the pair have each scored in the same contest in their two seasons as teammates.
Opponent Preview
Rutgers
All-Time series against the Scarlet Knights: Rutgers leads 3-2-2.
Rutgers enters the week ranked No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 10 in the NCAA RPI with a 9-2-0 overall record and perfect 4-0-0 ledger in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights are riding a five-match win streak that includes wins over Drexel, Penn State, Nebraska, Minnesota and Ohio State. All four B1G wins have come by a one-goal margin. Frankie Tagliaferri leads the team in goals scored with nine, ranking second in the Big Ten and No. 11 nationally. RU is outscoring teams 36-9, and leads the conference in assists (39), goals (36) and points (111).
The last meeting between the two programs was on April 3, and the teams played to a 1-1 double-overtime draw, with the lone Michigan goal scored by Nicki Hernandez.
Nebraska
All-time series against the Huskers: U-M leads 9-1-3.
Nebraska enters the week with a 4-7-2 overall record and is 0-3-2 in conference play. Most recently, the Huskers fell to Northwestern 2-1 in Evanston on Sunday (Oct. 3), and is in the midst of a 0-5-2 run after starting the season with a 4-2 mark. Regan Raabe leads the squad in goals with six. Averaging 1.46 goals/match, the Cornhuskers rank No. 13 in the league in the category.
The programs last met in the spring, with Michigan walking away with a 3-2 victory in double overtime on March 7. Michigan's goals were scored by Kacey Lawrence, Sydney Shepherd, and Dani Wolfe.
Up Next
Thursday, Oct. 14 -- vs. Michigan State (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 17 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 2 p.m.
