First Touch #6: Michigan Prepped to Host Wisconsin, Minnesota

» Michigan is 5-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in Big Ten Conference play after splitting the opening weekend of conference action.
» The Wolverines are 13-7-4 all-time in their first Big Ten Conference home match of the season.
» Nicki Hernandez continues to lead Michigan and the Big Ten with a conference-best 17 points. She is tied for the Big Ten lead in goals (six) and is second in the conference with five assists.
» Eight of Michigan's nine freshmen have contributed time on the pitch, with Janiece Joyner starting every game on the backline.
» Izzy Nino earned her ninth start in goal, making a career-best nine saves and capturing her second career shutout in Michigan's 1-0 victory at Purdue.

• Complete Match Notes (PDF)

PROMOTIONS
Wisconsin: Postgame penalty kicks
Minnesota: Football Ticket Redemption, Thudersticks Giveaway (first 500 fans), Postgame autographs

• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The University of Michigan women's soccer team will play host to Wisconsin on Thursday (Sept. 20) at 6 p.m. at U-M Soccer Stadium before welcoming Minnesota on Sunday (Sept. 23) for a 2 p.m. match. Entering the weekend matches, the Wolverines are 5-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in Big Ten Conference play after splitting the opening weekend of Big Ten action.

Michigan's Thursday night contest against the Badgers is set to be aired live on the Big Ten Network at 6 p.m. Fans can watch U-M's Sunday match against Minnesota on BTN Plus with a paid subscription, while live updates can be seen via Twitter (@umichwsoccer).

Big Ten Home Openers

The Wolverines are 13-7-4 all-time in their first Big Ten home match of the season. U-M won three straight B1G home openers before falling to Purdue in the 2017 campaign. Prior to 2017, U-M knocked off Michigan State (1-0; 2016), Nebraska (2-0; 2015), and Minnesota (2-1, OT; 2014), while tying with Wisconsin in 2013 and defeating Indiana in 2012.

Series History with the Badgers

Wisconsin holds a 13-12-7 advantage in the all-time series with Michigan. In the last three meetings, Michigan has gone 1-0-2 and is 4-1-3 in the past eight contests, including a 2-1 road win on Sept. 27, 2017, when Wisconsin was ranked No. 9 nationally. Jada Dayne and Reilly Martin were the goal scorers in the 35th and 96th minutes, respectively. The Wolverines have held off the Badgers when playing on their home field as Wisconsin has not won in Ann Arbor, Michigan since 2005.

Scouting Wisconsin

The Badgers head to Ann Arbor, Michigan with a 7-1-1 overall record (1-0-1 Big Ten) record after tying Northwestern and defeating Illinois in the opening weekend of conference play. Wisconsin has scored 14 goals this season, but has held its opponents to eight goals on 66 shot attempts with three shutouts. Jordyn Bloomer has been the only keeper for the Badgers this season, carrying a 0.85 goals-against average into Thursday night's contest. Bloomer has made a total of 25 saves on the season to rank eighth in the Big Ten. Wisconsin has played a balanced game of soccer, scoring seven goals in the first 45 minutes and five goals in the second half. Their final two goals have come in extra time. Offensively, Lauren Rice has been the go-to scorer for Wisconsin, netting a team-best four goals and adding two assists for 10 points. Cameron Murtha, Dani Rhodes and Emily Borgman have all had two goals each for the Badgers, while Murtha has a team-high four assists.

The Series with the Golden Gophers

Minnesota is 14-8-5 in the the all-time series against Michigan. The Wolverines not beaten Minnesota since 2014, and most recently played to a 2-2 double overtime draw at U-M Soccer Stadium on Sept. 21, 2017. Katie Foug kicked off the scoring with a goal in the 26th minute, followed by an equalizing goal by Sarah Stratigakis in the 90th minute to send the match into overtime. Neither team was able to find the golden goal. Overall, Michigan has scored just four goals in the last seven meetings between the two teams.

Scouting Minnesota

The Golden Gophers share matching 5-4-0 overall -- and 1-1-0 Big Ten -- records, with Michigan after coming up with a big 2-0 upset win over No. 12 Northwestern on Sunday afternoon (Sep. 16). Minnesota has scored 12 goals on the season with a shots-per-game average of 11.4. Individually, April Bockin leads the Gophers with three goals and three assists (nine points) and Molly Fiedler has added five points (one goal, three assists). In goal, Maddie Nielsen has been the starting keeper for all nine matches, making 29 saves to tie for fifth in the conference.

U-M Splits Opening Weekend of Big Ten Action

The Wolverines fell in a heartbreaking 3-2, double-overtime loss at Indiana on Thursday (Sept. 13). The Maize and Blue held a 2-0 advantage until the final two minutes when the Hoosiers scored two consecutive goals to knot the score and send the match into overtime. A scoreless overtime period led to Indiana scored the golden goal in the second overtime to earn the victory. Michigan bounced back and earned a 1-0 victory against Purdue, snapping a seven-match losing streak at Folk Field in the process.

Hernandez Continues to Impress

Sophomore Nicki Hernandez has risen to the challenge this year as an offensive leader for the Maize and Blue. With her assist against Purdue, Hernandez has recorded a Big Ten-best 17 points with six goals (tied atop the Big Ten) and five assists (tied for second in Big Ten)). The Naperville, Illinois, native has posted three matches with three points or more and has contributed at least one point in six of Michigan's nine matches this season.

Freshmen Playing Big Roles for Michigan

Freshman Janiece Joyner has started all nine matches for the Michigan defense, playing all but 33 minutes. Joyner has made some keys stops on the backline, including chasing down the ball and prevented a Louisville one-on-one with the Michigan keeper at the top of the 18-yard box. Sammi Atterbury and Raleigh Loughman have each contributed one goal with Atterbury playing in all nine matches and Loughman, six. Loughman has a total of four points (goal, two assists) to her name as well. Also playing a big role for the Wolverines Meredith Haakenson, who has appeared in all nine matches, including her first career start against Louisville. The freshman midfielder has tallied two assists for the Maize and Blue. Finally, Skylar Anderson, Kierra Krawec and Sydney Shepherd have all seen playing time for the Wolverines this season.

Spreading the Wealth

Michigan has scored 19 goals this season and notched 19 assists coming from 10 different players this season. The Wolverines are led by sophomore Nicki Hernandez, who has six goals and five assists, while Sarah Stratigakis has five goals and one assist for 11 points. Senior Reilly Martin tallied a two-goal performance against Central Michigan and one against Indiana to bring her season total to four goals and one assist. Senior Abby Kastroll has notched a goal and an assist, while sophomore Alia Martin (one goal, two assists) and freshman Meredith Haakenson (two assists) also have multiple points for the Maize and Blue. Freshman Sammi Atterbury added to the Michigan goal scoring when she netted her first career goal against CMU and Raleigh Loughman brought her point total to three, assisting on Atterbury's goal against CMU and scoring her first collegiate goal at Purdue. Finally, Katie Foug and Taylor Timko have each had one assist for Michigan.

Ticket Information

Individual and group tickets on are sale for all 2018 home matches. For group experiences such as high five tunnel, halftime mini games and more, please call (734) 647-1268 or email gobluegroupsales@umich.edu. For more information on purchasing tickets, please visit the women's soccer ticket page at MGoBlue.com.

Next Time Out

The Wolverines will take to the road for a Big Ten match on Friday, Sept. 28 at Northwestern. First touch is set for 7 p.m. CDT and will be streamed on BTN Plus (subscription required).

University of Michigan Athletics

First Touch #6: Michigan Prepped to Host Wisconsin, Minnesota