The Wildcats opened the Erin Egolf head coaching era after a handful of exhibitions the team played last spring and in the past few weeks.

NMU, which is starting its season with a four-game homestand, was tied Friday for all but about nine minutes in the latter stages of the second half.

After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, St. Cloud defender Grace Olson struck first from a free kick just over 20 minutes into the second half. But within 10 minutes, Northern junior and Marquette Senior High School product Isabella Lorens evened the score to secure the draw.

Freshman Lily Senese set up Lorens’ goal to earn the assist in her first game as a Wildcat.

NMU Sports Information noted that replays of the game are available on FloSports.

Northern netminder Jillian Thompson made five saves while giving up a single goal in her first start in almost exactly a year, the last time on Sept. 7, 2024; Huskies counterpart Jaylee Strickland had four stops in five chances.

Similar to the men’s scoreless draw a day earlier, the changeable weather switched from sun to rain and back with temperatures in the low 50s and wind gusts up to 25 mph on a field within view of Lake Superior.

Four other NMU players joined Senese in their first collegiate games as freshmen — starters Gretchen Ellis and Addison Frantti and substitutes Christina Roberts and Madi Bonsall.

And joining Thompson in playing all 90 minutes Friday for Northern were Hannah Kastamo, Irene Kiilunen, Addison Wargo and Alyse Daavettila.

Team statistics were just about as even as the score. Both teams took 10 shots, just that St. Cloud had six on goal compared to five for NMU. Northern edged back on top with six corner kicks to the Huskies’ four, but the Wildcats committed more fouls, 14-8, and picked up the only two yellow cards.

Northern had the game’s first good scoring chance off a first-half corner kick when Kenna Alexander sent a curling ball into the box that found Kastamo’s foot just outside the goalkeeper’s box. But Strickland took away any open space and cut off the angle on a potential shot.

Thompson actually made all five of her saves in the opening half, including one on a breathtaking dive to her left, using her outstretched left hand to keep the ball out of harm’s way.

Just four seconds after Gretchen Ellis was whistled for NMU’s first yellow card, Olson stepped over a free kick halfway between Northern’s touch line and the halfway line, according to NMU SI. Olson took her chance with the wind at her back, and Thompson couldn’t stop the shot despite getting a finger on it and deflecting it slightly.

Barely nine minutes later, Ellis forced a turnover with Wildcats teammate Madison Bilbia springing Senese on the counterattack. Coming in from the left side, Senese’s left-footed cross into the box proved tricky for Strickland, and Lorens was Juanita-on-the-spot to tap in the loose ball.

Northern continues its season-opening homestand to complete the nonconference portion of the campaign.

The Wildcats host Minnesota-Duluth at noon Sunday, then entertains Northwood at 1 p.m. Thursday and Cedarville out of Ohio at noon next Saturday.

The conference season then begins on the road on Friday, Sept. 19, in Chicago against Roosevelt.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the game. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.