The Northern Michigan University soccer team ended its regular season home schedule with two GLIAC wins, against Saginaw Valley State University 1-0 on Friday, and Northwood University 3-0 Sunday.
NMU had been scoreless the last three games, losing 1-0 at home against Tiffin, then 2-0 at Grand Valley and 3-0 at Ferris. With the two wins over the weekend, NMU is now 9-8 overall and 5-6 in GLIAC play.
In Friday’s game against SVSU, the one NMU goal came on a fluke play. Forward Kari Buckel was sending a pass across the opposing goalie box, when a SVSU defender deflected it. The ball ricocheted off the SVSU goalie’s foot and spun into the goal.
“We try to get balls into the box whenever we can,” Buckel said. “They bobbled it and the goalie couldn’t cover it.”
The defining aspect of the game was the increase in the physical play by the Wildcats.
The clock was stopped after a mid-air collision between NMU midfielder Brittney Buchanan and SVSU midfielder Stephanie Roy, while another mid-air collision resulted in NMU forward Casey Wilcox taking a foul.
“We played a physical game and stepped up,” Wilcox said. “We played the game of the season and didn’t give up.”
Northern held its ground against the Cardinals, despite SVSU’s rough-style of play. Wilcox was shoved down face first after attempting a header, which resulted in a SVSU foul shortly before the goal was scored in the 70th minute.
SVSU had lost to NMU earlier this year at Saginaw.
“I think a lot of it is that we play everyone twice (in conference play), and because of that it almost makes games more physical; it’s payback,” said head coach Matt Granstrand. “That’s the way the year’s been going lately and the refs have been letting the games really go and the only way to compete is to become physical.”
On Sunday, the ‘Cats won against Northwood 3-0, completing the season sweep of the Timberwolves.
“Northern was the better side and deservedly got the victory,” Northwood head coach Doug Carter said. “With the wind coming straight down the field, we needed to not concede three goals early.”
With the wind at their backs, the Wildcats scored all three goals in the first half, outshooting Northwood 8-5 in that time. When the teams switched sides of the field at the beginning of the second half, NMU’s defense negated the weather advantage with a shut-down defense, allowing only one Northwood shot.
“We played pretty well and we dominated both halves, both with and against the wind,” said defender Meghan Sarna. “Capitalizing (on our scoring opportunities) is really important and we finished.”
The first goal was scored by Buckel, the team’s leading scorer with nine goals this season. The second score came off of a header by Buchanan from a Sarna corner kick. It was Buchanan’s third goal of the year. The game’s third goal came from a Sarna corner kick, but was scored by midfielder Abbie Debiak.
“Sarna set it up pretty great so all I had to do was put a touch on it,” Debiak said. “It’s pretty much one a year for me, so I guess I waited till the end.”
The game against Northwood was senior day for Northern Michigan, as it signified the last home game of the regular season, and possibly the seniors’ last game in Marquette. Before the game started, seniors Sarna, Buchanan, Wilcox, Debiak, and Michaela Harris were recognized with their families.
“It’s good because my family came down from Canada and that’s special,” Sarna said. “I’m sad but hopefully there are more opportunities to play.”
Buchanan added that the win made the day more special.
“We wanted a win and to get those three goals early was just fantastic. It was a perfect senior day.”
The only way to have another home game for NMU would be if the Wildcats received home field advantage for the opening round of the GLIAC conference championships held in November. For one more home game, the Wildcats need to finish at least fourth in the conference standings. Currently Northern is fifth with a 5-6 conference record. No. 1 Grand Valley is leading the conference, currently undefeated record.
