Defensive struggle: Northern Michigan University women’s soccer team battles GLIAC leader Ferris State to 0-0 draw
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MARQUETTE — On Friday afternoon, the Northern Michigan University women’s soccer team was left with some mixed results.
On one hand, the Wildcats held off the potent Ferris State offense and kept the undefeated Bulldogs scoreless.
But on the other hand, NMU struggled offensively and only managed to play to a scoreless tie with Ferris in the Superior Dome.
Northern (3-2-1) had no shots in the second half nor either overtime session.
The Wildcats had their chances in the first half, but couldn’t capitalize. The good thing was at the other end of the pitch, Northern goalkeeper Shenae Kreps kept the Bulldogs (5-0-1) off the scoreboard.
With 34 minutes remaining, Kreps made a nice diving save on a shot by Ferris forward Pia Nagel, and with 27 minutes left, the Northern defense converged in the box effectively to nullify a Bulldogs’ offensive rush.
With just under 23 minutes left in regulation, a foul set up Wildcats midfielder Caroline Halonen with a free kick, but her attempt sailed just over the crossbar. Then with less than eight minutes to go, NMU midfielder Brooke Pietila sent a long shot on net, but Bulldogs goalie Taryn Meiste made the save.
Northern’s last true scoring chance came in the final minute of regulation, but it failed to score off a corner kick.
The second half was dominated by the Bulldogs, but NMU fought its way out of some jams. The defense deflected out a corner kick with 28 minutes remaining, and then with six minutes left, the Wildcats managed to dodge two bullets when a pair of Ferris headers couldn’t get inside the bar.
Between those chances, with about 19 minutes left, a Ferris corner kick was saved by Kreps as the last good chance for the Bulldogs.
After an uneventful first OT, Ferris had a chance to get the win in the second session, but the Wildcats deflected the Bulldogs’ only shot attempt.
NMU hosts Northwood at 3 p.m. Sunday.
Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.