The Gophers womenâÄôs soccer team has a chance to continue its unbeaten streak as it heads into Big Ten play this weekend against Michigan and Michigan State. The Gophers take on Michigan State at 4 p.m., Friday, in East Lansing before heading to Ann Arbor to face Michigan at 1 p.m. on Sunday . No. 24 Minnesota (10-0, 0-0 Big Ten) is ranked in three of four national polls, and is one of four teams still unbeaten and untied in the NCAA. However, head coach Mikki Denney Wright said the teamâÄôs success shouldnâÄôt bear on the weekendâÄôs outcome. âÄúWe look at it as a totally new season,âÄù she said. âÄúIt doesnâÄôt affect our hunger at all.âÄù The team has a consistent practice rhythm, she said, and a strong emphasis on defensive skills will help the team this weekend. Michigan State (8-1, 0-0 Big Ten) has one of the top-ranked offenses in the nation, averaging three goals per game. Forwards Laura Heyboer and Lauren Hill are ranked No. 9 and No. 10 in the nation, respectively in average points per game. Junior midfielder Lauren Sinacola is No. 4 in the nation in assists. Denney Wright describes the Spartans as âÄúdangerous.âÄù âÄúWeâÄôre going to have to be very good defensively to shut them down,âÄù she said. Michigan (3-4-2, 0-0 Big Ten) has opened its season with a tough schedule, losing to No. 1-ranked Notre Dame in its first week of play. Head coach Greg RyanâÄôs team is both young and talented. Three of the teamâÄôs top five goal-scorers are freshmen, including forward Clare Stachel, who leads the team in assists. Though Ryan coached the U.S. WomenâÄôs National team to a bronze medal in the 2007 FIFA Cup, this is his first year leading the Wolverines squad. Denney Wright said the Gophers will face challenging teams this weekend, but her outlook is positive. She cites the teamâÄôs depth and all-around talent as a measure to how they should play in the upcoming matches. âÄúWeâÄôre not carried by just a couple players,âÄù she said, also saying she hopes to see each player shine. Sophomore midfielder Angie Olson is confident about how her team will play this weekend. Olson, who was named Ms. Soccer Minnesota in 2006 , has no doubts about her teammatesâÄô talent level and ability. âÄúOur fitness level is higher than pretty much every team weâÄôve played so far,âÄù she said. She said the team is working on staying focused, while emphasizing defense in practice. âÄúI think we can come out with two more wins; that would be a great start to the Big Ten season,âÄù she said.