By Journal Sports Staff

BIG RAPIDS — The Northern Michigan University women’s soccer team knew it had a tough task on its hands going into Sunday’s GLIAC Championship game as it would have to take down preseason conference favorite Grand Valley State to get its first ever title.

The Lakers shut out the Wildcats 7-0 in NMU’s season opener and although Northern did a much better job defensively in the rematch, it was shut out again, this time 3-0. The ‘Cats were only outshot 13-12 and 4-3 in shots on goal.

GVS got on the scoreboard fairly early as Ava Cook scored in the 5th minute with Caitie Baron picking up the assist. NMU got its best scoring chance of the first half in the 26th minute as Caroline Halonen sent a shot on net that was saved by Lakers goalie Jessica Radice. GVS then struck again quickly after that in the 27th minute with Taylor Reid finding the back of the net and Mackenzie Jones getting the assist.

Down 2-0 to start the second half, Halonen almost got the Wildcats within one in the 47th minute, but was once again denied by Radice. GVSU then got its last goal during the 58th minute on another tally by Cook with Sydney O’Donnell earning the assist. Northern had one last good scoring chance and it came during the 73rd minute, but Brooke Pietila’s shot was saved by Radice to preserve the shutout.

NMU finishes with an 8-3-1 record, which is its best record since 2011.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.