U-M to Return to Action Against No. 22 OSU, No. 2 Northwestern

» Michigan will play two games this weekend, hosting No. 22 Ohio State on Friday before traveling to No. 2 Northwestern for a Sunday matchup.
» The Wolverines and Buckeyes will meet for the second time this season with OSU winning the first meeting.
» U-M will play for the first time since March 21 after a three-week pause due to COVID-19 protocols.

THIS WEEK
Friday, April 16 -- vs. #22 Ohio State (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), 3 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Live Stats | Live Video
Sunday, April 18 -- at Northwestern (Evanston, Ill.), 11:30 a.m. CDT
TV: ESPNU | Live Stats | Live Video
• Complete Notes (PDF)

• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 17-ranked University of Michigan women's lacrosse team (3-4, 4-3 Big Ten) will take the field for the first time since March 21, hosting No. 22 Ohio State (3-8, 3-8 Big Ten) on Friday (April 16) at 3 p.m. at U-M Lacrosse Stadium before traveling to No. 2 Northwestern (10-0, 10-0 Big Ten) for an 11:30 a.m. CDT matchup Sunday (April 18). Saturday's game will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+, while Sunday's contest will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

Wolverine Bites

• Michigan returns to the field after a three-week break that saw three games postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the program. The Wolverines are 3-4 overall after splitting their series at No. 7 Penn State (March 19-21). The Wolverines are 2-0 at home this season, having won both contests against Rutgers on March 5 and March 7.

• U-M jumped into the US Lacrosse Magazine Top 20 after its wins over Rutgers and comes into the weekend at No. 17 in the latest IWLCA Coaches Poll (April 12). Michigan also is ranked No. 18 in the US Lacrosse Magazine Poll.

• The Wolverines have scored 82 goals this season, scoring 11.71 goals per game and has 40 assists for 5.71 per game.

• Graduate student Molly Garrett was named the IWLCA Offensive Player of the Week following the Penn State series as she recorded nine goals and two assists. Garrett scored seven of her nine goals in one game, which ranks second in Michigan single game history.

• Senior goalie Arielle Weissman was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after the series with Penn State, making 28 saves and tying a career-best 14 saves in both games for the Maize and Blue.

• Senior Caitlin Muir leads the Wolverines with 27 points this season to rank fifth in the conference with 3.86 points per game. Muir has a team-high 15 assists, which is good for fourth in the Big Ten and has scored 12 goals in seven games.

Opponent Preview

Ohio State
Michigan trails 5-3 the all-time series with Ohio State

Ohio State is 3-8 overall having lost its most recent game to Northwestern. Prior to its loss against the Wildcats, Ohio State swept Penn State in a two-game home series. The Wolverines and Buckeyes kicked off the season against one another, with OSU coming away with a 15-12 home win. Ohio State is led by Liza Hernandez, who has 34 points (30 goals, four assists), while Nicole Ferrara has 20 goals and six assists. In the cage, Jillian Rizzo has made 108 saves and has a 13.21 goals-against average.

Northwestern
Michigan trails 9-0 in the all-time series with Northwestern

Northwestern is 10-0 on the season and comes into the weekend game as the No. 2 team in the country. The Wildcats lead the Big Ten with 20.80 goals per game and 29.90 points per game behind Izzy Scane, who has a conference best 81 points with 64 goals this season. Lauren Gilbert ranks second in the conference with 54 points and 47 goals, while goalie Logan Lillie has a conference-best 10.15 goals-per-game average.

Up Next

Thursday, April 22 -- vs. Johns Hopkins (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 24 -- vs. Johns Hopkins (U-M Lacrosse Stadium), Noon