NMU (3-2) opened the scoring in the seventh minute when junior Caroline Halonen notched her fifth goal this season. She took a short pass from teammate Stephanie Trujillo and knocked home a long shot about five yards from the top of the box and into the top right corner of the net.

But Ashland tied things up less than five minutes later when Makenzie Kelly knocked home a rebound that had come off Northern goalkeeper Shenae Kreps following Bailey Clark’s initial shot.

The score remained 1-1 through halftime as the Eagles got the game winner not quite 15 minutes into the second half. Vanessa Menchofer headed in the ball after taking a cross from Mary Grace Haney.

The Wildcats held a big 17-8 advantage in total shots, though Kreps was called on to make five saves as Ashland counterpart Hannah Lee had just two.

Shenae Kreps

Halonen had eight shots while teammate Rachael Erste had three. Each had a shot on goal along with Aidan Senior.

NMU returns home for its final four home games of the regular season, starting with a game against Ferris State at 3 p.m. Friday. No indication was made whether that game will be played indoors in the Superior Dome or outside at the adjacent NMU Soccer Field.

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