University of Minnesota Athletics
Soccer Travels to Michigan and Michigan State
10/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
**PLEASE NOTE: Friday's match with Michigan is set for a 6:00 p.m. (CT) start, not at 2:00 p.m. as was recently posted.
On To Michigan
Minnesota takes to the road for their final road trip of the season, as they play at Michigan on Oct. 23 and at Michigan State on Oct. 25. Kickoff with the Wolverines is set for a 6:00 p.m. (CT), start and game time with the Spartans is for 11:00 a.m. (CT).
The Records
Coming out of last weekend, the Gophers maintain a 10-4-2 record with a 3-2-1 mark in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are winless in their last five matches and sit at 5-7-3 overall and 0-2-3 in the Big Ten. The Spartans have won just once in their last five matches and are 8-2-4 on the season with a 1-2-2 tally in Big Ten play. They will host Wisconsin on 10/23 before they play Minnesota.
The Series
Minnesota holds the all-time series lead in each match-up this weekend, but have seen opposing results of late. They lead Michigan 10-5-1 all-time, having not lost since the 2004 season. Against Michigan State, Minnesota leads 9-8-1 all-time but has won just once since 1999.
Last Match-Up
Last season against the Wolverines, the Gophers earned their first conference win, taking a 1-0 tally on a goal from Kaitlin Wagner. It was the first Big Ten victory because the game prior the Spartans beat the Gophers 2-0 in the opening game of league play. That loss also was the first of the season for the Gophers.
Follow Along
Sundays match with Michigan State will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network. Check local listings for station information. Live Stats will be available for each the Gophers' games this weekend. To access the Live Stats just visit www.mgoblue.com on Friday and www.msuspartans.com on Sunday. On each site, click on the Multimedia tab.
Last Time Out
Last weekend the Gophers suffered back-to-back 1-0 losses to two of the Big Ten's best teams. On Oct. 16, Penn State stole the win as they scored off a free kick with just six seconds left. Two days later on Oct. 18, Ohio State also used a free kick to set up the games only goal, midway through the second half.
Next Up
The Gophers will get a much need slow to the pace in the next two weekends with just one game each, as the close the regular season. Closing the season at home, Minnesota hosts Northwestern on Oct. 30, and then host's Indiana in the season finale on Nov. 6.
Scouting Michigan
- 5-7-3 on the season and winless since 9/20
- 4-1-2 at home in 2009, and have not lost since 8/21
- Led by second year coach Greg Ryan who went 4-10-5 in his first season
- Leading scorer is Jackie Carron with 10 points (2G/6A)
- Outscoring opponents 11-to-8 in the first half, but are being outscored 14-to-6 in the second half
- Have been outshot 222-to-119 on the season and 115-to-57 in the second half
- In conference games, rank 11th in the Big Ten in shots (31), points (6), and goals (2)
- In conference games, rank second in the Big Ten, allowing just four goals
- Have been shutout nine times, including their last three games, have not scored since 10/4
- Allowed just one goal in last three matches
- Held then No. 22 Indiana scoreless on 10/18
- In conf. games, Amy Klippert is 10th in the Big Ten in points per game (0.75).
Scouting Michigan State
- 8-4-2 on the season with two wins since 9/18 and one since 9/27
- Began season undefeated and were 8-0-2 before first loss at Indiana 10/2
- Tied then No. 12 Purdue 1-1 on 10/4
- Big Ten win was 3-2 in OT vs. Penn State
- 6-0-1 at home and were 9-0-2 at home in 2008, last home loss was 10/28/07
- 2008 NCAA Tournament team, falling in the second round to Notre Dame
- Led by 19th year head coach Tom Saxton who entered the year with a 179-152-31 career record
- Leading scorer is Laura Heyboer with 19 points (7G/5A), Heyboer was 2008 Big Ten Freshman of the year with 51 points (21G/9A)
- In conf. games, rank seventh in goals (4), eighth in points (11), and ninth in shots (52)
- In conf. games, rank third in goals allowed at just five
- Posted seven shutouts and have only been shutout three times
