NMU (3-1) won for the third straight time as goalkeeper Shenae Kreps had her best showing for the Wildcats, making a season-high four saves, according to a report from NMU Sports Information.

Caroline Halonen scored twice, both times unassisted, to give her a team-leading four goals this season.

Northern opened the scoring in the ninth minute after Halonen stole the ball following a Cardinals’ throw-in. Halonen then took a high shot from deep that got by SVSU netminder Alyssa Watts just past the right post for her fourth goal this season.

Teammate Brenna Musser made it 2-0 with her first goal at NMU in the 23rd minute, taking a shot from the right side of the box that got past Watts.

Caroline Halonen

Saginaw Valley pulled within a single goal about four minutes before halftime when Jensen Taylor scored, but Northern had an answer just a few minutes after the second half began.

With 3:24 elapsed in the second half, Halonen came running in to take a shot just left of center and seven yards out that eluded the outstretched arms of the leaping Watts to make it 3-1.

The score remained that way until with 1:02 left, SVSU pulled back with one on a goal from Taylor.

Northern held a 16-11 shots advantage as Halonen took four shots and Brooke Pietila and Isabelle Brusilow three each. Watts finished with four saves.

The Wildcats head south to Ohio to play GLIAC foe Ashland at 1 p.m. Saturday, their final road game of the regular season. NMU returns home for four final games at the Superior Dome or NMU Soccer Field, beginning with Ferris State at 3 p.m. next Friday.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.