First Touch #4: Michigan to Open Big Ten Play at Rutgers

THIS WEEK
Friday, Sept. 14 -- at Rutgers (Piscataway, N.J.), 8 p.m.
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Riding a four-match winning streak, the University of Michigan men's soccer team (4-1-0) will hit the road for the first time this season on Friday (Sept. 14), traveling to Piscataway, New Jersey, to face Rutgers (1-3-1) in the Big Ten opener for both teams. First touch is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Yurcak Field.

The match is scheduled to be streamed live via BTN2Go (subscription required).

Team Notes

• Since dropping the season opener to Tulsa on Aug. 24, the Wolverines have won four consecutive matches and has scored two-plus goals in each match. During that stretch, Michigan has outscored opponents by an 11-2 margin -- scoring three goals in each of the last three matches -- and recording three shutouts.

• The Wolverines have proven to be a balanced offensive squad in the early going, as seven players have recorded at least two points. Mohammed Zakyi (two goals, three assists), Umar Farouk Osman (2G, 2A), Jack Hallahan (2G, 2A) and Robbie Mertz (2G, 1A) are multi-goal scorers, while Marc Ybarra is tied for the team lead in assists (three).

• Senior Ivo Cerda scored the golden goal in the 98th minute to give Michigan a 3-2 overtime win over in-state foe Western Michigan on Friday (Sept. 7). It was his eighth career goal and second game-winning goal.

• Sophomore Austin Swiech has impressed on defense. After playing in three matches as a freshman last year, he has started four matches so far this season -- all of Michigan's wins -- helping the back line record three shutouts. He also has contributed offensively, recording his first career assist against UC Riverside (Aug. 31) and following that up with his first career goal against Marquette (Sept. 10).

• The Michigan defense has been solid thus far, conceding only four goals and allowing only 6.4 shots per match. The Wolverines have three shutouts in the first five matches of the season, a feat last achieved in 2007.

• Sophomore Henry Mashburn has started all five matches and played every minute, posting a goals-against average of 0.79 and making eight saves.

Opponent Preview

RUTGERS is 1-3-1 on the season, most recently coming off a 2-2 draw vs. Hartford on Sept. 8. The Scarlet Knights are allowing only 11.6 shots per match, but have conceded 16 goals in their five matches this season. Offensively, junior Jordan Hall leads the team with three goals, while sophomore Vincenzo Pugliese has added two assists. Senior goalkeeper Rafael Pereira has started all five matches in net, making 15 saves over that stretch.

Series: Michigan is 4-2-1 all-time against Rutgers. This will be the eighth all-time meeting between the two schools. The Wolverines won last year's matchup, 3-1, in Ann Arbor, thanks to a pair of goals from Francis Atuahene and one from Ivo Cerda.

Up Next

Friday, Sept. 21 -- vs. Penn State (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m. [ Tickets ]
Tuesday, Sept. 25 -- vs. Ohio State (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m., ESPNU [ Tickets ]