First Touch #6: Wolverines to Take Road Trip to Northwestern, Oakland

THIS WEEK
Saturday, Sept. 29 -- at Northwestern (Evanston, Ill.), 8 p.m. CDT
Live Stats
Wednesday, Oct. 3 -- at Oakland (Rochester, Mich.), 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+ | Live Stats

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The No. 19-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team (6-1-1, 2-0-1 Big Ten) hits the road for two matches this week, facing Northwestern (4-3-2, 0-2-1 Big Ten) at 8 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday (Sept. 29) in Evanston, Illinois, and Oakland (5-2-2) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 3) in Rochester, Michigan.

Team Notes

• Through Wednesday (Sept. 26), Michigan sits atop the Big Ten standings with seven points (two wins, one draw). Michigan State, Indiana and Maryland are behind with six points each. [ Standings ]

• Since losing their season opener against Tulsa on Aug. 24, the Wolverines have gone on a seven-match unbeaten streak (6-0-1), the longest such streak since U-M's stretch of nine-straight wins to the NCAA College Cup in 2010 (Oct. 27-Dec. 4). So far this season, Michigan is 6-0-0 when scoring two goals or more in a match.

• Sophomore Umar Farouk Osman got back on the scoresheet on Tuesday (Sept. 25) with a goal and an assist in the Michigan's 3-1 win over Ohio State. Osman has 13 points this season -- third-most in the Big Ten -- and has points in five of the last six matches. He had two points (both assists) last season as a freshman.

• Senior captains Ivo Cerda and Robbie Mertz are two of the 30 candidates chosen for the 2018 Senior CLASS Award for Men's Soccer, honoring the attributes of senior student-athletes in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition. Michigan is one of only two schools (Loyola University Maryland) to have two candidates for the award this year.

• Michigan is tied for second in the Big Ten in goals allowed (six), one behind Indiana (five). It has limited opposing offenses to single-digit shot totals in six of its eight matches this season (Tulsa and Penn State both had 11 shots). The backline has also contributed on offense; starters Marcello Borges, Jackson Ragen, Daniel Mukuna and Austin Swiech have combined for three goals and two assists, while holding midfielder Marc Ybarra has chipped in with four assists of his own.

• The Wolverines were ranked No. 19 in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll, released on Tuesday (Sept. 25). They are also ranked No. 86 in the first RPI, released on Monday (Sept. 24). [ Poll | RPI ]

Opponent Preview

NORTHWESTERN is 4-3-2 and 0-2-1 in the Big Ten, drawing with Ohio State and falling to both Indiana and Maryland. The Wildcats are ranked No. 117 in the RPI. They are +3 in goal differential, with six of their goals scored coming in the second half, but have been outshot, 135-63, in their nine matches this season. Twelve players have recorded at least one point for Northwestern, with Camden Buescher leading the way in goals (three). Miha Miskovic has played every minute in goal, and has made 27 saves. He leads the Big Ten in shutouts (six).

Series: Michigan is 13-8-2 all-time against Northwestern. The Wolverines and Wildcats played twice last season, with Michigan winning the regular-season matchup (3-1 on Sept. 24), and again in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament (4-1, on Nov. 5). Both matches were in Ann Arbor.

OAKLAND is 5-2-2, and ranked No. 45 in the RPI. The Golden Grizzlies have a three-match unbeaten streak going, beating Detroit (1-0) and Duquesne (2-0), and drawing with Dayton (1-1). They play IUPUI on Saturday (Sept. 29) in Indianapolis. Oakland is +5 in goal differential, having scored 19 and conceding 14. Napoleon Outlaw III and Jacob Moore are tied for the team lead with three goals each, while Nebojsa Popovic has six assists. Goalkeeper Sullivan Lauderdale has played every minute in goal, and has 35 saves. He has two shutouts this season.

Series: Michigan is 11-2-4 all-time against Oakland. The Golden Grizzlies won the matchup last season, 2-1, at the U-M Soccer Stadium (Sept. 27).

Up Next

Sunday, Oct. 7 -- vs. Indiana (U-M Soccer Stadium), 3 p.m., BTN [ Tickets ]
Wednesday, Oct. 10 -- vs. Detroit Mercy (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m. [ Tickets ]