Northern Michigan University’s Stephanie Trujillo takes a corner kick during a college women’s soccer match played against St. Cloud State and held at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE — While their perfect record might now have a blemish on it, the Northern Michigan University women’s soccer team remains undefeated after opening its GLIAC schedule with a tie and victory at home last weekend.

The Wildcats tied Wisconsin-Parkside 1-1 while shutting out Purdue Northwest 3-0.

NMU goes on the road this weekend with conference games in Big Rapids against Ferris State at 4 p.m. Friday and in University Center against Saginaw Valley State at noon Sunday.

Northern returns home to end this month and start next month with a two-match weekend against Grand Valley State on Sept. 29 and Davenport on Oct. 1.

Here is a roundup of last weekend’s results:

NMU 1, Wis.-Parkside 1

On Friday afternoon, both teams might’ve satisfied with a tie as each entered the game with unblemished records, UWP at 3-0.

Both goals were scored before the midpoint of the first half. For the Wildcats, Hannah Kastamo notched her fourth goal of the season and extended her point streak to five games.

Northern came out with all the momentum early, generating plenty of chances before the Wildcats were able to break through, according to a game account from NMU Sports Information.

Brenna Musser put a beautifully placed ball into the box and Kastamo was on the mark to redirect the ball into the goal and give the NMU the early lead in the 14th minute. Musser got credit for the assist.

But just over two minutes later, the Rangers’ Emily Mikkelson made a run and beat Northern’s defenders before finishing with her left foot to tie the game 1-1.

Then both defenses shut down their opposition as NMU’s Jillian Thompson finished with three saves and UWP counterpart Mia Guyton had six.

While Northern had a solid 7-4 advantage in shots on goal, their total shots edge was even more decisive — 25-6.

In addition, NMU took eight corner kicks to none for Parkside.

Kastamo, who took two shots, was just one of a half-dozen Wildcats with multiple shots as Molly Pistorius — she of two hat tricks in NMU’s first three games — took six shots, while Stephanie Trujillo and Musser each had four and Brooke Pietila and Isabelle Brusilow joined Kastamo with two shots. Musser was the only Wildcat to get off two shots on goal.

Mikkelson was the only Rangers player with multiple shots and multiple shots on goal as she had two of each.

After each team scored, NMU’s Allison Kroll had the first chance to make it 2-1 as she stole the ball from a defender and headed a rush.

She got into position in the box to receive a crossing pass, and while making solid contact, headed the ball off the goal’s woodwork, according to NMU SI.

Early in the second half, Northern bounced the ball around the Parkside box with it landing at Maria Storm’s feet. She took a high shot and Guyton knocked the ball over the crossbar.

Then with less than a minute left, Trujillo was alone in the middle of the box and got off an accurate shot that Guyton thwarted.

NMU 3, Purdue Northwest 0

On Sunday afternoon, the Wildcats again had a lopsided advantage in shots but turned this one into a win.

Northern held a 27-3 edge in total shots and 15-1 margin in shots on goal.

Thompson made the one save she needed to, while PNW’s Meta Fischer made a dozen stops.

Pistorius led the offensive onslaught, taking four shots, including one on goal. Fourteen Wildcats took at least one shot, eight getting multiple shots.

Putting two on the mark were Storm and teammates Angelina Perritano and Allison Kroll.

Despite the lopsided shot margin, the first half ended scoreless.

It didn’t stay that way for long in the second half, however, as Storm notched her first goal of the season 3:19 in after heading home a curved pass from Trujillo into the box. Trujillo’s pass came off a corner kick.

Just under six minutes later, another corner kick bounced in the box before Isabella Lorens connected for her first collegiate goal.

Then with 2:13 remaining, NMU added extra insurance as Olivia Moreno converted a free kick from just outside the box, curling it in for Kroll to head into the net for her first collegiate goal.

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