Northern Michigan University’s Isabela Cardoso, left, lines up with Wisconsin-Parkside’s Chloe Grooters during a GLIAC soccer game played at the NMU Soccer Field on Oct. 8 in Marquette. (Photo courtesy NMU)

MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University women’s soccer team took a pair of nationally ranked team downs to the wire before losing both games by a single goal on the road over the weekend.

No. 9 Ferris State held off the Wildcats 3-2 in double overtime, while No. 1 Grand Valley State pulled out a 4-3 victory.

————————

Ferris State 3, NMU 2 (2OT)

On Friday at Big Rapids, the Wildcats took 1-0 and 2-1 leads before Ferris forced overtime, then won it in the second OT.

NMU’s Ashley Koch opened the scoring in the 28th minute as teammate Brooke Pietila kicked a long ball from right on the edge of the center circle closest to the Wildcats’ attacking end, according to an account from NMU Athletics Communications.

Pietila gave Northern another lead almost 20 minutes into the second half when Calihan Bearden took control of the ball after an FSU free kick. She made a short pass to Pietila, who was running to her right, and blew past a Ferris defender and took a deep shot that flew past Bulldogs goalkeeper Darya Mosallaei.

NMU goalkeeper Shenae Kreps made seven saves.

————————

Grand Valley 4, NMU 3

On Sunday at Allendale, each team had a lead in this seesaw affair at the home of the No. 1 team in NCAA Division II.

GVSU is 12-0-1 and only allowed a goal in four games this season. In fact, the Wildcats are the first team to score three goals on the Lakers this fall.

Justina L’Esperance opened the scoring in the eighth minute with her fourth goal.

NMU again took the lead a little more than 11 minutes into the second half on a goal by Isabela Cardoso.

With 6:18 left, NMU retied the score when Isabelle Brusilow got her second goal this fall.

Kreps finished with one save in front of the NMU goal, while GVSU goalie Callie Rich had two for the Lakers.

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