Michigan
Utah Valley
Women's Soccer Set to Open 2024-25 Athletic Season Against Utah Valley, Xavier
8/13/2024 1:47:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Promotions
• Back to School Night -- First 500 fans receive a water bottle and bag tag
Note: Purchases on the day of the game at the venue will be cashless and contactless in an effort to contribute to a safer game day environment and improve the fan experience by increasing the speed of service and decreasing wait times. Purchases may be made with debit or credit cards. Cash will not be accepted.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team (0-0-0) will get the 2024-25 athletic season started with a pair of contests this week, first hosting Utah Valley (0-0-0) on Thursday (Aug. 15) at 7 p.m. in the season opener at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Wolverines will wrap up their opening week of action at Xavier on Sunday (Aug. 18) at 5 p.m. Thursday's contest will be streamed live on B1G+.
Notes
• The Wolverines are the first to compete in the 2024-25 academic year, hosting Utah Valley on Thursday (Aug. 15) before kicking off a two-game road swing with a Sunday (Aug. 18) contest at Xavier.
• Head coach Jennifer Klein enters her seventh season at the helm in Ann Arbor, leading the Wolverines to three NCAA Tournament appearances over her first six seasons. Joining her on the sidelines are Tori Christ, Holly Hein and Brian Dunleavy as assistant coaches. Elizabeth Linkous is in her first season as director of operations for the program.
• Avery Kalitta, Jenna Lang and Stephanie Sparkowski were named as Players to Watch by the Big Ten on Tuesday (Aug. 13). Kalitta was named to the All-Big Ten third team in 2023, starting all 18 games in the midfield. Lang appeared in 15 games last season, starting 11 times with three goals and an assist. Sparkowski anchored the Wolverines in goal a season ago, starting all 18 games with a 1.12 goals-against average. The trio is also serving as captains for the Wolverines this season.
• Michigan is coming off a 7-7-4 season in 2023, making the NCAA Tournament for the third time under Klein. The Wolverines return three of their top four point scorers from last season in Gabrielle Prych (14 points), Kali Burrell (seven points) and Lang (seven points).
• Michigan and Utah Valley are meeting for the second time in a battle of Wolverines, with U-M taking a 2-1 overtime win in 2019. U-M and Xavier are facing off for the first time since the 1998 NCAA Tournament, a 4-2 Michigan victory.
• U-M brings in seven newcomers to this year's squad, welcoming five freshmen and two graduate transfers. Making their collegiate debuts are Beanie Harshe, Adi Walick, Ella Jablinskey, Josie Owen-Kren and Elle Ervin, with Katie Roditis (USC) and Erin Junkmann (Georgetown) transferring into Michigan.
• U-M will play seven non-conference games and an 11-game Big Ten slate in 2024. Of Michigan's 18 opponents, six are ranked in the preseason poll in No. 4 Penn State, No. 6 Nebraska, No. 13 Michigan State, No. 15 Notre Dame, No. 19 Wisconsin and No. 20 Alabama.
• Following the season opener at U-M Soccer Stadium, Michigan will play its next two contests on the road. U-M is back at home on Aug. 29, hosting Notre Dame at 7 p.m.
