University of Michigan vs Michigan State Rivalry extends to ACHA Women’s hockey
TROY, Mich. – (September 27, 2023) – A rivalry is a competition for the same objective or for superiority. Needless to say, the rivalry between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University is just that. It started on the football field and has trickled down to basketball, and many other sports. Of course it’s made its way to the ACHA as well.
Both the University of Michigan and Michigan State’s women’s hockey teams were established in 1995. Which one came first, is where we could say this particular rivalry started.
“The Michigan – Michigan State rivalry is always intense no matter where and when the games are played during the season. The rivalry is one of the greatest in women’s collegiate hockey across all levels and is always an electric match up,” said Michigan Head Coach, Jenna Trubiano.
The record between these teams is pretty even over the past two years. In the 2022-2023 season, the teams tied their first match-up and the Spartans won their second game of the season 2-1 in overtime. During the 2021-2022 season, each team won one of the games 3-1.
Michigan State has won the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship in 2003 and 2011. They were tournament runner-ups in 2005 and 2010. Maddie Wolsmann, a veteran from the Spartan team, is a two time Zoe Harris Award winner, an award given annually to the player of the year. Wolsmann won the award in 2018 and 2020. The Spartans were ranked 16th at the end of the 2022-2023 season.
Michigan finished last season ranked 9th, which gave them a spot to compete at the 2023 ACHA National Championship tournament. Head Coach, Jenna Trubiano, was named the 2023 CCWHA Head Coach of the Year.
When Coach Trubiano was asked about her upcoming team she had this to say, “We are excited to welcome nine new players to our program this season, including three transfer students and a first year goaltender. We anticipate a stronger season and finish than last season.”
In addition to being members of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), both teams are members of the Central Collegiate Women’s Hockey Association (CCWHA). Information about the ACHA can be found at achahockey.org and information on the CCWHA can be found at CCWHA.net.
This week’s game is set for September 30th at 2:30 pm. The game will be played at the Mt. Clemens Ice Arena located at 200 N Groesbeck Hwy, Mt Clemens, Michigan 48043. The game will also be broadcast by Arbor Broadcasting at https://arborbroadcasting.com/. Can’t catch this game, the Wolverines and Spartans will have a rematch on January 20th in Traverse City.
This game is part of our new game of the week series. These games will include featured games, rivalry games, and other key matchups throughout the course of the season. Stay tuned for next week’s matchup!
