Wildcats Open Big Ten Play Under the Lights versus Michigan

3/22/2018 9:59:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse

NORTHWESTERN LACROSSE: GAMEDAY INFORMATION
DATE	OPPONENT	TIME	LOCATION	WATCH	LIVE STATS
Friday, March 23	Michigan	7 p.m.	Martin Stadium Evanston, Ill.	Big Ten Network	NUSports.com
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EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern will open Big Ten conference play Friday night under the lights on national television when it plays host to Michigan at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Opening draw is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Wildcats enter Friday night's contest 5-3 overall and are ranked No. 11 in the IWLCA Coaches' Poll.

Michigan is 4-5 this season and opened Big Ten play last week with a 9-7 win over rival Ohio State. The Wolverines are led by former NU star and assistant coach Hannah Nielsen, who is in her first season with the maize and blue.

Friday will mark the seventh meeting between the two programs with the 'Cats holding a 6-0 advantage in the all-time series. NU has outscored U of M, 100-40, in those six meetings. Last season's 10-8 win by the Wildcats in Ann Arbor was smallest margin of victory in the series.

The 'Cats are coming off an 18-13 loss versus No. 4 North Carolina last week. NU used a 3-0 run to close the first half and take an 8-7 lead, but the Tar Heels outscored the 'Cats 11-5 in the second half to pull away for the victory. Senior Selena Lasota and junior Claire Quinn each scored a team-high four goals in the loss.

Each of Northwestern's next two games will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network as it wraps up a six-game homestand. After Friday night's matchup versus Michigan, the Wildcats will host No. 7 Syracuse on Monday, March 26 at 1 p.m. Greg Bice and Mike Monaco will be on the call Friday night.

Senior Shelby Fredericks registered 10-plus draw controls for the third-straight game last week versus No. 4 North Carolina and is now just 69 draws shy of setting the all-time NU record. Alyssa Leonard is the current NU all-time leader with 469.