Wolverines to Kick Off 2025 Campaign at Villanova

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer team will begin the 2025 season on Thursday (Aug. 14) at 4 p.m. when it faces off against Villanova at the Higgins Soccer Complex in Villanova, Pa. Head coach Jennifer Klein will look for her third winning season at the helm of the Wolverines after the squad was picked to finish 13th in the Big Ten Preseason Poll.

• Michigan is 15-9-7 all-time in season openers with a 5-6-4 mark in first matches away from Ann Arbor. Klein has triumphed in four out of her seven season openers with two losses and a tie.

• This will be the first-ever matchup between the Wolverines and the Wildcats, but Michigan is an even 11-11 all-time against Big East foes. Klein is also 3-3 against the conference with her most recent win coming in a 1-0 triumph over DePaul on Sept. 5, 2021.

• U-M added nine newcomers for the 2025 season, including three transfers and six freshmen. The Wolverines lost three starters from last year, two of whom signed pro contracts with the NWSL (Stephanie Sparkowski -- Chicago Stars and Avery Kalitta -- Racing Louisville).

• The Wolverines had three players named as Big Ten Players to Watch this preseason in Ellie Fife, Gabrielle Prych and Sophie Homan. Sophomore forward Ella Jablinskey also received recognition from TopDrawerSoccer as a 2025 Big Ten Breakout Candidate.

• After transferring from Vanderbilt last season, Fife was one of 42 collegiate players invited to the first-ever U.S. Soccer Women's College Talent ID Camp last June.

• Michigan will face nine programs that competed in last season's NCAA Tournament, including eight teams that advanced to the Round of 16. Additionally, seven of Michigan's 2025 foes are slotted in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Top 25 poll.

• Notable returners for the Wolverines include senior captains Jenna Lang and Abby Zugay. Lang boasts the highest returning career point total on the team (23), while Zugay has the third-most starts on the squad (25).

• The Wolverines will open their 2025 home slate at U-M Soccer Stadium on Sunday (Aug. 17) with a matchup against Detroit Mercy at 1 p.m.