Michigan
Ohio State
U-M to Wrap Regular Season With Ohio State, Wisconsin
3/30/2021 8:32:00 AM | Men's Soccer
THIS WEEK
Wednesday, March 31 -- vs. Ohio State (U-M Soccer Stadium), 3 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network | Live Stats
Sunday, April 4 -- at Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.), 11 a.m. CDT
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Live Stats | Live Video
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The No. 11-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team (4-2-1) enters the final week looking to improve its standing for the postseason, hosting Ohio State (3-3-1) on Wednesday (March 31) at U-M Soccer Stadium. The match will begin at 3 p.m., and will be shown live on the Big Ten Network. The Wolverines will then turn around and head to Madison for a date with Wisconsin on Sunday (April 4) in the regular-season finale. That match will begin at 11 a.m. (CDT).
Team Notes
• The Wolverines enter the week third in the Big Ten standings (4-2-1, 13 points). Should Michigan beat Ohio State on Wednesday, it would secure a top-four finish and guarantee a first-round home match in the Big Ten Tournament at U-M Soccer Stadium.
• U-M is ranked No. 11 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25, released last Tuesday (March 23). [ Poll ]
• Michigan is two wins shy of 200 in program history. Heading into this week, its all-time record is 198-158-49. The program is in its 21st year.
• Michigan went 1-1-0 last week, scoring a 2-1 come-from-behind overtime victory at Michigan State last Tuesday (March 23) and a heartbreaking 1-0 (OT) loss to Indiana on Saturday (March 27). [ Recaps: MSU | IU ]
• Two men having outstanding season are senior Jackson Ragen and junior Kevin Buca. Ragen has played every minute this year, tallying eight points (four goals) in seven matches. Buca had one point in his first 30 career matches, but has seven points in seven matches this year.
Ragen is tied for third in the Big Ten in goals, while Buca and senior Marc Ybarra are tied for third in assists (three).
• Senior Marc Ybarra has been named one of the 30 candidates for the 2020-21 Senior CLASS Award for Men's Soccer. [ Awards & Honors ]
• The Wolverine defense is allowing only seven shots per game and three shots-on-goal per game. Goalkeepers Owen Finnerty and Ethan Wood have combined to make just 13 saves, the fewest in the conference.
Opponent Preview
Ohio State: The Buckeyes are 3-3-1 on the season. They are coming off a 1-0 loss to Penn State on March 23. Their scheduled game vs. Rutgers on March 27 was postponed. Parker Grinstead leads the team in goals (three) and points (seven). Six other players have scored one goal. Noah Lawrence has started and played all seven games in goal (1.24 GAA, .679 SV%).
Series: U-M is 10-13-2 all-time against Ohio State. The two teams played to a 2-2 (2OT) draw back on March 15 in Columbus.
Wisconsin: The Badgers are 1-6-1 on the season. They are coming off a 1-0 loss to Penn State on March 27. Andrew Akindele leads the team with two goals, while Murat Calkap has two assists. Sven Kleinhans (2.49 GAA, .462 SV%) and Carter Abbott (0.76 GAA, .857 SV%) have split time in goal.
Series: U-M is 15-7-6 all-time against Wisconsin. The two teams last met on Oct. 25, 2019, playing to a 1-1 (2OT) draw in Ann Arbor.
Up Next
Saturday, April 10 -- at Big Ten Tournament (Campus Sites), Location/Time TBA
