Michigan
Rutgers
Michigan to Travel to No. 14 Rutgers, Host No. 17 USC for Youth Day
3/29/2022 9:15:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
UPDATE (03/31/22) -- The game time for Michigan at No. 14 Rutgers on Thursday (March 31) has been moved from 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. due to weather concerns. The game will still air on the Big Ten Network.
THIS WEEK
Thursday, March 31 -- at #14 Rutgers (Piscataway, N.J.), 3 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network | Live Stats | Live Video
Sunday, April 3 -- vs. #17 USC (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), Noon
TV: B1G+ | Live Stats | Live Video
PROMOTIONS
• Sunday, April 3 -- Youth Day/Kids Club Game -- All Wolverine Kids Club Members are invited to attend this game and earn double points. Kids can also enjoy inflatables on the concourse.
• Complete Game Notes (PDF)
• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 13-ranked University of Michigan women's lacrosse team (9-2, 1-1 Big Ten) will start its week by traveling to Big Ten Conference opponent No. 14 Rutgers Thursday (March 31) for a 3 p.m. game at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, N.J., before concluding the week at U-M Lacrosse Stadium in a non-conference contest against No. 17 USC on Sunday (April 3) at noon.
Thursday game against the Scarlet Knights will be aired on the Big Ten Network, while Sunday will be on B1G+ with a paid subscription.
Wolverine Bites
• Michigan is 9-2 overall this season and 1-1 in Big Ten Conference play. The Wolverines started the season 7-0 and have defeated two ranked opponents.
• Graduate student Arielle Weissman is just five saves away from 200 career saves. Weissman has made 84 saves this season alone, including tying a career-best 14 stops against No. 4 Northwestern. The Bridgewater, N.J., native leads the conference with a .553 save percentage and a 7.16 goals-against average while ranking third with 7.64 saves per game.
• The Michigan defense ranks No. 3 nationally with a goals-against average of 7.3. The Wolverines are led by fifth-year senior Katherine Galzerano and senior Morgan Whitaker, who have picked up a combined 36 ground balls and have also caused 23 turnovers this season. Also playing a huge role on the defensive side have been sophomore Maddie Burns and freshman Maya Rutherford, who have started every game and have been keys to keeping their offensive matchups off the scoreboard.
• Fifth-year senior Caitlin Muir along with Kaitlyn Mead, Kaley Thompson and Kaylee Dyer all have recorded 20 or more points this year as Muir leads the team with 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists). Mead ranks second for Michigan with 24 points (20 goals, 4 assists), and both Thompson and Dyer have 21 points this season with 20 goals from Thompson and 12 goals and nine assists for Dyer.
Rutgers Preview
Michigan trails the all-time series 3-4
U-M trails the series 3-4 but has won the last three games it has played against the Scarlet Knights, including a sweep of RU in the 2021 season. Michigan will play at Rutgers for just the third time, as it last played in Piscataway in 2018 when it lost 9-8 in overtime.
RU is 9-1 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten Conference play with its only loss coming to No. 4 Maryland. The Scarlet Knights are outscoring opponents 147-92 and average 32.8 shots per game. Rutgers has four players with 20 or more points including two with over 40 points this season. Stephanie Kelly leads RU with 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists), while Taralyn Naslonski has 40 points (32 goals, 8 assists). Cassidy Spilis has 37 points all by way of the goal. Spilis also leads the draw control with 31 wins, and Marin Hartshorn has 27 draw-control wins. In the cage, Sophia Cardello has made 70 saves and has a .446 save percentage.
USC Preview
Michigan trails the all-time series 0-2
The Wolverines will be looking for their first win over the Trojans this weekend as the two last played in the 2020 season with Michigan falling 10-8 on the road.
USC is 7-2 overall this year with its losses coming to then-No. 10 Princeton and an overtime loss to Stanford in Pac-12 play. The Trojans have scored 141 goals this season compared to their opponents' 90. Kelsey Huff has a team-best 38 goals and 42 total points while also picking up 16 ground balls and adding 11 caused turnovers. Isabelle Vitale ranks second with 38 points on 21 goals and 17 assists. Kait Devir has started all nine games in the cage and has made 62 saves with a 10.09 goals-against average.
Up Next
• Friday, April 8 -- vs. Ohio State (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), 7:30 p.m. (TV: Big Ten Network)
