The Northern Michigan University women’s soccer team split another series over the weekend with a 1-0 victory over non-conference rival University of Minnesota-Duluth on Friday and a 0-1 loss to Ashland University Sunday.
Every weekend thus far, the Wildcats (4-3, 0-1 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) have split games. With no non-conference games remaining for NMU, the trend could prove problematic for GLIAC play.
“We run a tough non-conference schedule to get ready for conference play,” head coach Matt Granstrand said. “The teams [in the conference] are pretty evenly matched, and competitiveness is high.”
On Sunday, the ‘Cats hosted their first GLIAC game of the year, which was the Ashland University Eagles. The game was scoreless throughout the first half, though NMU showed off one of its strengths by outshooting their opponent – a feat they have accomplished in every game this season.
After high winds and a slick field kept the game uneventful for much of the contest, the game picked up intensity with about 11 minutes to go. With NMU unable to score, Ashland Midfielder/forward Casey Snyder scored the game’s only goal with 5:38 left on the clock. Snyder was assisted by forward Kelly Usher.
“We’re not going to make excuses for the loss today,” Granstrand said. “We’ve beaten Ashland once out of 15 games so far. They are a tough team and we need to continue pushing forward.”
Friday’s game against the UMD Bulldogs was the exact opposite of the Ashland game in every way. Warm weather conditions and an intense rivalry provided a higher intensity on the part of both teams.
“It was a typical Minnesota-Duluth/Northern Michigan soccer game. We’re rivals,” said Granstrand.
The ‘Cats came out fast and hard with forward Dana Stephens scoring her first goal of the year off a Meghan Sarna corner kick just 3:36 into the game.
“The ball was up in the air, and I just went for it,” Stephens said. “I just shot and scored.”
After the goal, an 86 minute game of keep away was in store for Northern. Backed by the ‘Cats defense, NMU goalkeeper Kara Music recorded seven saves for the shutout.
The Bulldogs made a late push at the end of both halves, pulling their goalie and twice substituting four players but Music and the NMU defense held strong.
“[Minnesota-Duluth] was just trying to win,” Granstrand said. “They’ve been having some bad luck, so they’re trying to find what works, but we defended well, and they didn’t have many opportunities.”
NMU will wrap up their six-game home stand this weekend against No. 1 Grand Valley State University on Friday and GLIAC foe Ferris State on Sunday at the Outdoor Fields.
