Michigan
Butler
Michigan to Open 2021 Season at Butler, Host Pups at the Pitch vs. BGSU
8/17/2021 2:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
» The Wolverines return every starter from a season ago, and 100 percent of all points scored.
» U-M is 2-0-1 in season-opening matches under head coach Jennifer Klein.
» Michigan was picked fourth in the 20201 Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll and is receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll.
THIS WEEK
Thursday, Aug. 19 -- at Butler (Indianapolis, Ind.), 7 p.m.
TV: Big East Digital Network | Live Stats | Live Video
Sunday, Aug. 22 -- vs. Western Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Tickets | Live Stats | Live Video
PROMOTIONS
• Aug. 22: Pups at the Pitch, Postgame Kicks
• Full Promotions Schedule
• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The University of Michigan women's soccer team begins the 2021 season with a pair of matches this week, traveling to Butler for the season opener Thursday (Aug. 19) at 7 p.m., then starts the home slate against Bowling Green on Sunday (Aug. 22) at 7 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Butler contest will be streamed live on the Big East Digital Network, while the home opener will be streamed on Big Ten Network+.
Sunday's game also features Pups at the Pitch. Fans are invited to bring their pups to the game, and they receive free admission with a human ticket. Fans who wish to bring their dog must pre-register by Friday (Aug. 20) at noon. » More Information
Wolverine Bites
• U-M returns all 11 starters from a season ago and 100 percent of its points. Last season's squad was third in the Big Ten in goals (21) and in points (59, 5.36 per match).
• U-M is 13-7-7 in opening-day matches all-time and 2-0-1 under head coach Jennifer Klein.
• Now in its 28th season as a varsity program, U-M has 294 wins.
• Prior to the season, U-M voted graduate students Alia Martin, Hillary Beall and seniors Raleigh Loughman and Janiece Joyner team captains. As a whole, the group has appeared in 202 career matches with 180 starts.
• Michigan was picked fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll behind Penn State, Rutgers and Ohio State. Seniors Meredith Haakenson, Raleigh Loughman and sophomore Sammi Woods were named Big Ten Players to Watch.
The Wolverines are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason Top 25 Poll, released Aug. 4.
• Beall returns to anchor the U-M goalkeeping corps, and is coming off a year in which she was named All-Big Ten (third team) for the second straight campaign. A four-year starter, she ranks fifth in program history in goals-against average (1.04)
• Collectively, U-M boasts four fifth-year players in Alia Martin, Sarah Stratigakis, Hillary Beall and Nicki Hernandez. The group has amassed 240 career starts during their time in the maize and blue.
• Michigan returns six All-Big Ten honorees from the 2020 team, the second-most for a program since 2012. Hillary Beall, Alia Martin, Sarah Stratigakis, Raleigh Loughman, Nicki Hernandez, and Sammi Woods will dot the starting XI throughout the campaign.
• Junior Jayde Riviere rejoined the team in the midst of preseason training on Aug. 12, after winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Riviere logged 27 minutes in the gold medal match, and played the full 90 minutes against Chile and Great Britain, as well as 19 minutes in a reserve role against Brazil.
• The Wolverines are 16-1 since 2019 in matches that senior Sarah Stratigakis records at least one point. The 2019 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year has played in 70 games in her U-M career, boasting 18 goals and 23 helpers (59 points) to rank just outside the program's top-10 career points. Her assist total ranks fifth in U-M annals and she is 10 away from the top spot of 33 (Amber Berendowsky, 1996-99).
Opponent Preview
Butler
All-time series against the Bulldogs: U-M leads, 5-3
The Bulldogs were picked second in the 2021 Big East preseason coaches poll, with Stephanie Rodriguez, Anastasia Savich and Katie Soderstrom being named to the Preseason All-Big East Team. Rodriguez was selected as the conference preseason goalkeeper of the year. Like U-M, Butler received votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll.
Bowling Green
All-time series against the Falcons: U-M leads, 3-0
Bowling Green is coming off a 2020-21 MAC Championship and is a three-time defending conference champion. The Falcons went 6-1-1 overall and 5-1-0 in MAC last season play en route to an NCAA Tournament appearance that ended in a loss against Ole Miss in penalties. Michigan and Bowling Green last met in 2019, with U-M emerging victorious by a 2-0 count at U-M Soccer Stadium behind goals from Raleigh Loughman and Skylar Anderson.The Falcons will open up their 2021 season Thursday against Notre Dame prior to their trip to Ann Arbor.
Up Next
Thursday, Aug. 26 -- vs. Western Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 29 -- vs. Central Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 1 p.m.
