For the Michigan women’s soccer team, the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry is more than just a backyard battle.

Since the establishment of women's soccer at Michigan, the two teams have battled to a near deadlock — the Wolverines hold a slight edge with an all-time 8-7-2 record against the Spartans.

“Ohio State obviously is the biggest rivalry in history, but for a lot of us, (Michigan State) is really personal,” senior forward Amanda Bowery said.

Bowery and defenders Jackie Carron and Sarah Stanczyk — all seniors this season — were teammates on the Bloomfield Hills Force club team, alongside Michigan State seniors Laura Heyboer and Courtney Shegos.

So the Wolverines were not only prepared to step on the field against a formidable opponent on Sunday, but they were also ready to see familiar faces on the other side of the pitch.

“It’s hard because they know our strengths and weaknesses, but at the same time we know theirs,” Bowery said.

The Wolverines (0-1-2 Big Ten, 5-2-4 overall) knew they needed to contain the Spartan forwards to come out with a win. Carron and Stanczyk were coached to shut down the most pressing threat, and this time they knew her personally.

“Laura Heyboer up top … she is their biggest threat,” Carron said. “We had (Stanczyk) tight on her, stepping up and winning balls, and if she wasn’t there I was there to cover.”

Michigan ended each of the past four meetings with Michigan State (2-1-1, 7-3-2) in a deadlock and this year’s result was no different, finishing in a scoreless draw.

“You want to win so badly, but at the same time a tie is so much better than a loss,” Bowery said. “It would have been nice to come out with a win one of these times, though.”

Michigan is still in a transition stage, building up players who can help contend in the conference. The Wolverines finished eighth overall in the Big Ten last year, while Michigan State finished fifth.

“For our friendships, I know it’s better that we tied these past couple years,” she said.

“We talk (with them) every now and then on Facebook," Carron said. "And we always get together over the holidays and have a reunion party.”

Added Bowery, “At the end of the day…we’re all really good friends and we really do support each other in everything we do.”