Two Game Week on Tap For Wolverines at U-M Lacrosse Stadium

» Junior Josh Zawada enters the week with 98 points in his U-M career -- two away from becoming the sixth Wolverine in school history to eclipse the 100-point plateau.
» The Wolverine offense ranks No. 1 in the country in goals-per-game, while the defensive unit is ranked fourth nationally.
» Michigan enters week four of the season ranked No. 17 in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll and No. 16 in the USILA Coaches Poll.

• Social Media: Facebook |Twitter |Instagram

Off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the 2017 season, the University of Michigan men's lacrosse team hosts a pair of contests this week, beginning with a matchup against Canisius on Tuesday (Feb. 22) at 3 p.m. and closing out the week on Saturday (Feb. 26) with a battle against Cleveland State at 1 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on B1G+.

Wolverine Bites

• Michigan enters week four of the season ranked No. 17 in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll and No. 16 in the USILA Coaches Poll. The IL Media Poll ranking of 17 is tied for the highest in program history; the Wolverines were last ranked No. 17 during the 2018 campaign.

• Michigan's offense ranks No. 1 in the nation amongst teams with multiple games played. The U-M attack also leads the Big Ten Conference in goals per game (21.00), and is second in assists per game (13.00) and points-per-game (34.50). The unit is led junior Josh Zawada, who leads the nation in points-per-game average (9.00) and assists (4.33/game).

• With four goals and two assists (six points) against Holy Cross, Zawada now boasts 98 points (54 goals, 44 assists) in his career and is two points away from becoming the sixth player in U-M history to tally 100-points in a career. Once eclipsed, he would be the fastest player in Wolverine history to reach the plateau. Additionally, Zawada's average of 4.45 points/game over his 22 game career is the highest in program annals.

• Defensively, sophomore goalie Shane Carr leads the country in goals-against-average (4.88) and is No. 5 in save percentage (.636). The U-M defensive unit is allowing 7.00 goals/game and ranks fourth nationally.

• Junior FOGO Nick Rowlett ranks No. 9 nationally in faceoff winning percentage (65 percent), and is averaging five ground ball pickups per contest.

• The Wolverines have totaled 63 goals over the first three contests of the season, with 18 different players marking at least one goal. Last season, U-M did not score its 63rd goal of the second until the sixth game of the year. The most players to score a goal in a season all-time is 22 (2015).

• A pair of wins would give U-M a 5-0 start for the first time in school history. Michigan's best start as a program (4-0) came during the 2017 campaign.

• The six teams in the Big Ten Conference collectively own a 17-4 record (81 percent), the best record of any conference in the country.

• Per Lacrosse Reference, U-M's cumulative offensive efficiency ranks No. 3, while the defensive unit ranks fourth. Zawada ranks second in the country in the site's' statistical Tewaaraton with 17.74 expected goals added.

Scouting Canisius

Michigan is 2-0 all-time against Canisius, with the most recent matchup between the two programs coming in 2020. U-M won that contest, 16-8, behind a dominating 19-for-27 mark at the face-off dot by Rowlett. Michigan has also outscored the Golden Griffins by a 29-13 margin in the two matchups.

Most recently, Canisius (1-1) defeated Bellarmine on the road on Feb. 19, by a 13-11 score. The Golden Griffins scored two goals late in the fourth quarter to break a tie and seal the victory. Colin Kelly led the scoring with four goals and Matt Vanonese had nine saves. Canisius carries a 1-1 overall record into the matchup.

Scouting Cleveland State

Michigan is 4-0 all-time versus Cleveland State. The most recent matchup came in 2020, which resulted in a 19-6 victory for the Wolverines in their season opener.

The Vikings (0-2) lost their season opener to Ohio State by a 17-9 score (Feb. 12) after surrendering a two-goal lead. Cleveland State's offense was led by junior Adam Clark and sophomore Gannon Matthews with two goals apiece, while senior goalie Cameron Logan had ten saves in goal. Most recently, the Vikings dropped their home opener to Mercer (Feb. 19), 11-9, after leading at the half. Logan had 11 saves in goal in the effort, while Matthews scored three goals and Jason Sullivan had four helpers.

Tweet of the Week

1??7??#GoBlue?? pic.twitter.com/sYW7mJoTry
— Michigan Men's Lacrosse (@UMichLacrosse) February 21, 2022

Keep Up With the Wolverines

Stay current with everything going on with the Wolverines by following Michigan men's lacrosse on Twitter (@umichlacrosse) and "liking" the Wolverines on Facebook! Additional content will be provided via Instagram (@umichlacrosse).

Up Next

Tuesday, March 1 -- at Marquette (Milwaukee, Wis.), 1 p.m. CST
Saturday, March 5 -- vs. Delaware (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), Noon