Michigan
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
Michigan Returns Home for Midweek Match Against Western Michigan
10/15/2019 10:54:00 AM | Men's Soccer
THIS WEEK
Thursday, Oct. 17 -- vs. Western Michigan (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
TV: BTN+ | Tickets | Live Stats | Live Video | Digital Program
PROMOTIONS
• Oct. 17: International Day; Postgame Kicks • Full Promotions Schedule
• Social Media: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
The University of Michigan men's soccer team (6-3-3) returns home for a single match this week, when it welcomes in-state rival Western Michigan (8-4-0) to U-M Soccer Stadium on Thursday (Oct. 17). The match will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed live on BTN Plus. Thursday's match also is International Day; fans wearing their favorite international jerseys will be admitted free of charge.
Team Notes
• Though the Wolverines step outside of Big Ten play for their next two matches, they sit at third place (eight points, 2-1-2) in the conference standings. Indiana (12 points, 4-0-0) is atop the table, while Penn State is second (10 points, 3-1-1). The top four teams will host first-round matches in the Big Ten Tournament, which will begin Nov. 10.
• With five matches remaining, U-M is ranked No. 27 in the first edition of the RPI, published by the NCAA on Monday (Oct. 14). [ RPI ]
• Graduate student Nebojsa Popovic leads the Big Ten in both goals (six) and points (15), while junior Marc Ybarra and senior Jack Hallahan rank 1-2 in assists with six and five, respectively.
• The Wolverines lead the Big Ten with only nine goals conceded in 12 matches. Since it allowed four goals in the season opener to Florida Gulf Coast, U-M has allowed only five goals in its last 11 matches, posting a 0.44 goals-against average during that span. Michigan also is tied with Indiana in goal differential (+10).
• Senior goalkeeper Andrew Verdi has been one of the Big Ten's stoutest goalkeepers, ranking 23rd in the NCAA in goals-against average (.735). Through five Big Ten matches spanning 451 minutes, Verdi, and the rest of the Michigan defense, has conceded only two goals (one on a penalty kick), with 11 saves. He has six shutouts this season.
• Thus far, 15 players have recorded at least one point this season. Sophomore Kevin Buca and freshman Harry Pithers earned their first career points in last week's win over Detroit Mercy (Oct. 9), both assisting on the game-winning goal by sophomore Derick Broche. Six different players have scored game-winning goals this season (Popovic, Broche, Hallahan, Mohammed Zakyi, Carlos Tellez, Christian Pulselli).
Opponent Preview
Western Michigan is 8-4-0 on the season and ranked No. 31 in the RPI. The Broncos enter Thursday's match having won four consecutive contests, three on the road, the latest of which was a 3-1 win over West Virginia on Sunday (Oct. 13) in their MAC opener. Three players have double-digit points totals: Anthony Bowie (12 - five goals, two assists), Charlie Sharp (11 - 5G, 1A) and Brennan Creek (10 - 3G, 4A). Isaac Walker (0.88 GAA, 32 saves) and Lukas Von Lienen (1.29 GAA, six saves) have split time in net this season.
Series: U-M holds a 7-5-1 advantage in the all-time series against Western Michigan. The teams met last year in Ann Arbor, a 3-2 Michigan overtime win.
Up Next
Tuesday, Oct. 22 -- at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.), 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Wisconsin (U-M Soccer Stadium), 6 p.m. [ Tickets ]
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
