| #9 Northwestern at #14 Michigan |
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| Date | Friday, Oct. 17 | 6 p.m. CT |
| Location | Ocker Field | Ann Arbor, Mich. |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Live Video | BTN Plus on BTN2Go |
| #9 Northwestern at Michigan State |
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| Date | Sunday, Oct. 19 | 11 a.m. CT |
| Location | Ralph Young Field | East Lansing, Mich. |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Live Video | BTN Plus on BTN2Go |
| Social Media | @NUFHCats | Facebook |
FEATURE: Multiple Trips to Ann Arbor Are Special for Wildcats
EVANSTON, Ill. -- No. 9 Northwestern can take a step closer to a second consecutive Big Ten regular season title as it travels to the state of Michigan for the second straight weekend.
Currently all alone in first place in the Big Ten standings at 4-0, the Wildcats travel to second-place and 14th-ranked Michigan for a 6 p.m. Central time contest on Friday before heading to Michigan State for an 11 a.m. CT matchup on Sunday.
The 'Cats will be familiar with Michigan's Ocker Field having taken on Stanford at the facility just last Friday. NU is hoping for a better result this time around after suffering a tight 2-1 loss to the Cardinal before bouncing back for a 4-0 win at Central Michigan two days later.
Caroline Troncelliti tallied an early goal in the loss to Stanford while Kelley Stump recorded her first career hat trick in the victory over the Chippewas.
This weekend's visit to Ann Arbor is the second of three that Northwestern is making this season. The Wildcats are set to return for the Big Ten tournament next month.
With every other team in the Big Ten having at least one conference loss this season, a sweep this weekend would put NU in good shape in the league race. Michigan and Maryland are both one game behind the 'Cats in the loss column and Northwestern already owns a victory over the Terrapins this season. The Wildcats will have just two Big Ten contests remaining on their schedule following this weekend.
Troncelliti and Flens are tied for the team lead with nine goals apiece, while Stump and Dominique Masters both have seven in the Wildcats' balanced scoring attack. Charlotte Martin paces the squad with 10 assists.
In goal, Maddy Carpenter sports a 1.25 goals-against average with a .726 save percentage and three shutouts on her resume.
Scouting Michigan
The Wolverines (9-5, 4-1 Big Ten) kept their Big Ten title hopes alive by posting a 3-1 win at Iowa last Friday before falling 2-1 in overtime at home against Stanford. Fifth-year senior Leslie Smith leads Michigan with 10 goals while Shannon Scavelli has seven. Ainsley McCallister has a Big Ten-leading 14 assists. Freshman Sam Swenson has a 1.35 goals-against average with a .696 save percentage in goal for the Wolverines. Northwestern has won its last two meetings with Michigan, including a 4-1 victory in Evanston last season. NU leads the all-time series by a 30-22 margin.
Scouting Michigan State
The Spartans (7-6, 2-3 Big Ten) host Iowa on Friday before taking on the Wildcats. Michigan State has dropped four of its last six contests, including falling 2-1 in overtime at Ball State on Sunday. Abby Barker leads MSU in both goals (12) and assists (10), ranking second in the league with 34 points. Goalkeeper Sierra Patton has a 2.29 goals-against average with a .737 save percentage. Northwestern has won three straight meetings with the Spartans, including a 2-1 victory in East Lansing a year ago. The 'Cats lead the all-time series, 33-23.
Follow the 'Cats
Northwestern has a brand-new Facebook page. Be sure to keep up with the team by giving a "Like" of their page which can be found at facebook.com/NUFHCats. The 'Cats are also on Twitter at @NUFHCats.