But they’re working off great success last weekend against the bottom of the league.

The Wildcats scored a dozen goals while posting two shutouts, beating Wisconsin-Parkside 4-0 and Purdue Northwest 8-0 at the NMU Soccer Field. UWP is 0-6-1 and PNW 0-6 in league play.

This weekend’s tests are at Big Rapids against Ferris State at 4 p.m. Friday and at Allendale against Grand Valley State at noon Sunday. GVSU leads the GLIAC with a 6-0-1 conference mark while Ferris is right behind at 5-0-2.

Meanwhile, Northern is right in the middle, tied for fourth place with a 4-3 league record and 6-5 overall.

Northern Michigan University's Isabela Cardoso, left, lines up with Wisconsin-Parkside's Chloe Grooters during their GLIAC women's soccer game played at the NMU Soccer Field on last Friday in Marquette. (Photo courtesy NMU)

A pair of Wildcats are among GLIAC leaders. Senior midfielder Caroline Halonen is tops in the league with 51 shots, while senior goalkeeper Shenae Kreps is second in saves with 43.

Last Friday, Isabela Cardoso scored two of Northern’s four goals while making an assist, and on Saturday, Halonen and Brenna Musser each scored twice, with Musser also getting the game’s only assist in the Wildcats’ widest margin of victory against an NCAA Division II opponent since 2009.

While GVSU already scored a 4-0 win at NMU on Sept. 17, Northern faced these two teams three times last spring. The Lakers won 7-0 and 3-0, the latter in the GLIAC Tournament, while the Wildcats played Ferris to a scoreless tie despite playing two overtimes.

Fans can follow these Wildcats and other NMU teams on Twitter at @NMU_Wildcats.

Fans can also follow along online during each game.

For Friday at Ferris, video is available at www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/links/yfsedf and live statistics at nmuwildcats.com/sports/wsoc/2021-22/boxscores/20211015_haeb.xml.

For Sunday at GVSU, video can be found at nmuwildcats.com/links/t24wlw and live stats at nmuwildcats.com/links/i2s044.

Information prepared by NMU Athletics Communications intern Harley Beyer and compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.