U-M to Welcome Western Michigan for Pride Day, Central Michigan

» U-M is a combined 13-0-2 all-time versus Western and Central Michigan.
» Sixteen players have logged at least 75 minutes of match action for the Wolverines through two matches played.
» The Wolverines have outshot their opponents 31-18 over the season's first two games.

PROMOTIONS
• Aug. 26: Pride Day
• Aug. 29: Wolverine Kids Club Day
• Full Promotions Schedule

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The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan women's soccer team (2-0) hosts a pair of in-state foes, beginning with a matchup versus Western Michigan (1-1) on Thursday (Aug. 26) at 7 p.m., followed by a Sunday (Aug. 29) tilt versus Central Michigan (0-1) at 1 p.m. Both matches will be played at U-M Soccer Stadium and will be streamed live on Big Ten Network+.

Thursday's match is Pride Day and will celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer social and self-acceptance. Ticket packs are available, featuring admission to the match and a Michigan Pride Scarf for $12. Face tattoos will also be available.

Wolverine Bites

• Through two matches, U-M is outshooting opponents 31-18, outscoring them 7-1, and averaging 3.5 goals per match. All seven goals have come from different Wolverines, with senior Nicki Hernandez leading the team in points with four (one goal, two assists).

• Michigan is ranked No. 18 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll released Tuesday (Aug. 24) after receiving votes in the preseason edition. The Wolverines defeated Butler and Bowling Green in their first two games of the season.

• U-M is 7-1 in non-conference season-opening homestands under head coach Jennifer Klein. The lone loss came in the 2018 season against Louisville.

• Klein also has spread minutes through the first matches of the season, with zero players having played all of the possible 180 minutes. Senior center back Sydney Shepherd has logged a team-high 152 minutes, followed by Hernandez at 141. Collectively, 16 players have played at least 75 minutes on the campaign.

• The Wolverines are 17-1 since 2019 in matches that senior Sarah Stratigakis records at least one point. She boasts 19 goals and 23 helpers (61 points) to rank just outside the program's top-10 in career points. Her assist total ranks fifth in U-M annals, and she is 10 away from the top spot of 33 (Amber Berendowsky, 1996-99).

• Now in its 28th season as a varsity program, U-M has 296 wins.

Opponent Preview

Western Michigan
All-time series against the Broncos: U-M leads, 7-0-1
The Broncos enter the midweek tilt with a 1-1 overall mark and are coming off a 5-1 victory over Detroit on Sunday (Aug. 22). The win was preceded by a 6-2 setback against Louisville in their season opener on Thursday (Aug. 19). WMU returns 12 of its 15 goals from a 2020-21 team that went 6-2-2. The Broncos are led by second-team All-MAC selection Morgan Otteson and Claudia Schilling.

Central Michigan
All-time series against the Chippewa's: U-M leads, 6-0-1
In its season opener, Central Michigan fell to Marquette in Milwaukee on Thursday (Aug. 19) by a 4-3 score. CMU scored all three of its markers in the second half. Most recently, CMU fell to Michigan State 1-0 on Thursday (Aug. 26) in Mount Pleasant. The squad is coming off a 5-4 record a season ago.

Up Next

Friday, Sept. 3 -- vs. USC (U-M Soccer Stadium), 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 5 -- vs.DePaul (U-M Soccer Stadium), 1 p.m.