Michigan to Face Rival Buckeyes on Road, Host Northwestern on Pride Day

» The Wolverines have a big week ahead, facing Ohio State in Columbus on Wednesday (Oct. 2) and hosting Northwestern for Pride Day on Sunday (Oct. 6).
» Sunday is a doubleheader with women's soccer (opens vs. Nebraska at 1 p.m.). One ticket gains admission to both matches.
» Pride Day aligns with the university's initiatives on Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI), which aims to foster a more inclusive environment for student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans and community. Fans in attendance will receive a Michigan Pride Flag and Pride stickers.

PROMOTIONS
• Oct. 6: Pride Day
• Full Promotions Schedule

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The University of Michigan men's soccer team (3-2-3, 0-0-2 Big Ten) is back in action with a huge two-match week as it attempts to accumulate points and move up in the conference standings. The Wolverines will travel to Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday (Oct. 2, 7 p.m.) to take on rival Ohio State (5-3-1, 0-1-1 Big Ten) at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium before returning to U-M Soccer Stadium on Sunday (Oct. 6, 4 p.m.) to face Northwestern (5-3-1, 1-0-1 Big Ten) for the program's inaugural Pride Day.

Pride Day Information

The U-M men's and women's soccer teams are hosting the first-ever Pride Day at U-M Soccer Stadium on Sunday (Oct. 6). The match aligns with the university's initiatives on Diversity, Equality & Inclusion (DEI), which aims to foster a more inclusive environment for student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans and community. The purpose of the match is to help drive positive social change while promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.

Giveaways include Michigan Pride Flags and Pride stickers. The men will wear rainbow sweatbands during warm-ups, while the women will wear rainbow laces. In addition, inclusivity flags will hang around U-M Soccer Stadium.

Fans purchasing tickets get admission to both matches, beginning with the women's soccer match against Nebraska at 1 p.m.

Team Notes

• Michigan enters its third Big Ten match having picked up two points on draws with Rutgers (Sept. 21) and at Penn State (Sept. 27). The Wolverines are tied with Indiana for the league lead in overall goal differential (+5).

• The Wolverines go into Wednesday's match at Ohio State on a four-match unbeaten streak (1-0-3).

• U-M continues to generate plenty of scoring chances, averaging seven shots on goal per match (56 in eight matches). Despite the edge, the attack has been stung by a combination of bad luck and hot goalkeeping from opposing teams. Not counting the season opener vs. Florida Gulf Coast, in the four matches U-M did not win -- which includes three draws -- the Wolverines have two goals despite a whopping 26 shots on goal. During that same stretch, opposing teams have three goals on just seven shots on goal.

• The Michigan defense is on a roll, allowing only four goals in its last seven matches. Furthermore, the defense has allowed only 18 shots on goal the entire season and is conceding only 6.8 shots per game. Senior Andrew Verdi has provided a steady hand in net, playing every minute and only making 10 saves in eight matches.

• Graduate student Nebojsa Popovic was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week last Tuesday (Sept. 24). He leads the Big Ten in points (13) and is tied for the conference lead in goals (five).

Opponent Preview

OHIO STATE is 5-3-1 on the season and 0-1-1 in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes are coming off a scoreless draw last Saturday (Sept. 28) at Northwestern. They are +1 in goal differential but lead the Big Ten in goals scored (14) and goals conceded (13). Devyn Etling is tied for the conference lead in goals (five), while Jack Holland is tied for the conference lead in assists (four). Goalkeeper Parker Siegfried has played every minute in net, making 22 saves and compiling a 1.39 goals-against average.

Series: U-M is 9-13-1 all-time vs. Ohio State. Michigan won last year's matchup, 3-1, on Sept. 25 in Ann Arbor.

NORTHWESTERN is 5-3-1 and 1-0-1 in Big Ten play. Prior to coming to Ann Arbor, the Wildcats will face Indiana at home on Tuesday (Oct. 1). They have four points thus far in Big Ten play, defeating Maryland on the road (Sept. 20) and drawing Ohio State. Bardia Kimiavi is tied for third in the Big Ten in goals (three), while Matt Moderwell is tied for the Big Ten lead in assists (four). Goalkeeper Miha Miskovic has made 26 saves and holds a 1.23 goals-against average.

Series: U-M is 14-8-2 all-time vs. Northwestern. Michigan won last year's matchup, 2-0, on Sept. 29 in Evanston, Illinois.

Up Next

Wednesday, Oct. 9 -- vs. Detroit Mercy (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 13 -- at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.), 3 p.m. (TV: ESPNU)