NMU women’s soccer opens GLIAC tourney on road today
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Northern Michigan University's Alyse Daavettila, right, gets to the ball just before Ferris State's Isabella Baron can during their GLIAC game played at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette on Oct. 25. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)
The Wildcats finished in sixth place in the regular season following a 1-0 loss at Grand Valley State on Saturday, drawing an opening round game at No. 3 seed Saginaw Valley State at 1 p.m.
No. 6 seed NMU completed its regular season with 8-5-5 overall and 5-5-4 GLIAC records, good for 19 points. SVSU tied with Davenport for third place as each had 26 points, the Cardinals getting the tiebreaker for the third seed.
SVSU, located in University Center between Bay City and Saginaw, is 10-6-2 overall and 8-4-2 in the conference. The Cards are on a three-game unbeaten streak, which included a tie with tourney No. 1 seed Wayne State before knocking off No. 7 Purdue Northwest and last-place Roosevelt last weekend.
Fans can livestream today's game on FloCollege and find coverage at both nmuwildcats.com and the official NMU women’s soccer social media channels.
Northern and SVSU split their two games, both played in September and, possibly in a good omen for the Wildcats, the road team won each match.
The Cardinals prevailed in Marquette 2-0 on Sept. 13 before NMU returned the favor at University Center with a 4-1 triumph on Sept. 27. Addison Frantti powered the Wildcats in their win at SVSU with a three-goal hat trick.
Northern won its quarterfinal on the road last year, earning head coach Erin Egolf her first postseason win with a 2-0 victory at Ferris State. NMU bowed out with a loss at No. 1 seed GVSU in the semifinals.
If the Wildcats win today, they will face the winner of a quarterfinal between No. 7 Purdue NW and No. 2 Grand Valley.
In Saturday's game vs. Grand Valley, the lone goal came in the 24th minute by the Lakers' Ava Kozak, her sixth goal this season.
GVSU held advantages in team statistics, outshooting NMU 16-5 in all shots and 8-1 in shots on goal, also taking seven corner kicks to Northern's five, and even outfouling their hosts, 14-6, while drawing the game's only yellow card.
Wildcats goalkeeper Carly Sides made seven saves, her second most in a game this season, as she played all 90 minutes along with defensive teammates Ava Buhlman, Riley Hill, Irene Kiilunen and Madalyn Nissen, and also midfielder Sole Corley.
Hill had NMU's only shot on goal as five players each took one shot.
Story contents based on a pair of Northern Michigan University Sports Information press releases reviewing the final regular season game and previewing the GLIAC tournament. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee's email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.