Part of it is that the Wildcats sit smack dab in the middle of the standings in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. NMU (3-4-4 overall) is 3-3-1 in conference games, good for fifth place in the nine-team league. Northern is basically one game out of third place, but also just a game and a half ahead of seventh place.

So this weekend’s games could go a long way to determining good or not-so-good seeding in the upcoming conference tournament that starts Nov. 10.

The team in third place, one game ahead of them, is on today’s docket as the Wildcats travel to University Center between Saginaw and Bay City to take on Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m.

Then comes a trek west across the Lower Peninsula to Grand Rapids to face conference bottom-dweller Davenport at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Northern Michigan University’s Madalyn Nissen makes a throw-in from the sideline during a GLIAC women’s soccer game played against Michigan Tech at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

“For us, it’s keeping our heads on straight, and understanding we’ve got to show up again and play one 15-minute segment at a time,” Northern head coach Erin Egolf said in an NMU Sports Information news release previewing the games. “And if we can build on those, we’ll be all right.”

The Wildcats had to be frustrated after a 1-0 home loss to Upper Peninsula rival Michigan Tech on Sunday that snapped a three-game unbeaten streak. Northern lost despite controlling the play, illustrated by its 23-7 advantage in total shots, even with just a 5-4 edge in shots on goal, and NMU also getting all 10 corner kicks awarded.

Fans can follow @NMU_wsoc on Instagram and @NMU_wsoccer on X (formerly Twitter) for updates leading up to and during matches, or visit the NMU athletics website at nmuwildcats.com and look under the women’s soccer schedule for links to live video, live statistics and game previews.

Today’s opponent, the Cardinals, is 4-2-1 in the GLIAC and 6-3-2 overall. SVSU has a four-game unbeaten streak.

Cards senior midfielder Kaley Douglass was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, scoring a goal in each of SVSU’s wins over Purdue Northwest and Roosevelt last week. But it’s teammate Madi Bajis who leads the conference with six goals and 15 points.

All-time, Northern is 18-12-5 vs. the Cardinals, including 8-7-2 on the road. Less than two weeks ago when these teams met in Marquette, SVSU forged a 3-3 tie after the Wildcats built a 3-0 wind-aided lead that turned into a headwind during the second half.

Davenport is just 1-5-1 in the GLIAC and 1-7-3 overall and on a four-game winless streak.

Ella Chatfield tops the Panthers with two goals, two assists and six points.

NMU is 8-3-2 vs. Davenport, including 3-2-2 on the road, though Northern lost at Davenport in 2024. Less than three weeks ago, the Wildcats scored a 4-0 win over the Panthers in Marquette as Irene Kiilunen scored twice.

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