Oct. 24, 2008
NU Game Notes vs. Michigan (PDF)
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Second-ranked Northwestern closes out its 2008 regular season home schedule Saturday as it faces No. 21 Michigan at Lakeside Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Following Saturday's contest, the Wildcats play their last three matches on the road.
Live streaming video and Gametracker can be accessed for Saturday's match via NUsports.com. The NU seniors who are played in their final regular season home match are set to be honored in pregame ceremonies.
Scouting Michigan
The Wolverines (9-4-2, 1-1-1 Big Ten) are facing their second top-five ranked team this week as they're coming off a tight 1-0 loss Wednesday at No. 5 Akron. Junior Perico Marosevic paces Michigan with nine goals and 20 points while Jake Stacy and Mauro Fuzetti have seven goals apiece and 19 and 18 points, respectively. Stacy is fourth in school history with 49 points and second with 21 assists. In goal, Patrick Sperry sports a 1.31 goals-against average and a .691 save percentage. Steve Burns is in his ninth season as the only head coach in Michigan history.
Series Information
Michigan leads, 6-4-1. Northwestern is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings, including a 0-0 double-overtime tie in Ann Arbor Oct. 20 of last season. The Wildcats out-shot 19-5 in the contest.
Looking Back on Northern Illinois
Blustery conditions made things difficult for Northwestern and Northern Illinois Wednesday night at Lakeside Field. The two teams combined for only one shot in the first half, but was that header by Brian Usinger off a free kick by Piero Bellizzi proved to be the difference in the Wildcats' 1-0 victory. The Huskies created some quality scoring chances in the second half and kept the pressure on NU keeper Misha Rosenthal, but he made five saves after the intermission to help the 'Cats remain undefeated. Each team finished with seven shots in the contest, while NIU had a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.
So Far, So Good
Northwestern's 11-0-2 record mark's the program's top start to a season in school history. The previous best for the number of matches to open a campaign without a loss was eight. The 2007 squad had a 7-0-1 mark before falling to Penn State 2-1. The Wildcats' 3-0-0 start in Big Ten play is also their best ever. In fact, the program had never before won two straight games to open conference play. The three victories match the mark for the most Big Ten wins in a season in program history. The Wildcats remained No. 2 in this week's NSCAA poll, marking the program's highest ranking ever. NU's previous high ranking was No. 3, achieved in 2007. The 'Cats are also the top-ranked team in the Great Lakes Region and are No. 8 in the RPI which is released by the NCAA. Northwestern is 7-0-0 at home this season and is seeking its first undefeated home season in school history.
Tough Road Ahead
Northwestern has managed to remain undefeated through its first 13 matches of the season, but the Wildcats' final four matches of the regular season should prove to be a tough stretch. Two of the teams (Indiana--9, Michigan--13) were ranked in the top 25 of the Oct. 13 version of the NCAA's RPI, while Michigan State is technically in first place in the Big Ten with a 4-1-0 record and 12 points, and Loyola Chicago has been ranked in the national polls this season.
Up Next...
The Wildcats remain within the Chicagoland area next Tuesday as it makes the short trip to Loyola Chicago. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.