The NMU women’s varsity soccer team had a successful weekend on the pitch as they improved their record to 2-0-2. It took two overtimes to decide the outcome of NMU and Minnesota Duluth’s women’s varsity soccer match in Marquette on Friday, Sept. 10. The Wildcats were able to battle back in the second half to tie the game up 1-1, as that ended up being the final score.
“We played with a lot of heart,” said head coach Matt Granstrand. “Three games in five days is really hard to do.”
Minnesota Duluth (0-1-2) took the first half lead as Heidi Pelttari scored with 21 seconds left in the first half to give the Bulldogs the advantage. The lead wasn’t enough as the Wildcats fought back in the second half. Senior Goalie Dana Bush liked the team’s effort after falling behind.
“I was impressed by how our team responded to the goal. We showed a lot of heart,” Bush said.
The ’Cats kept on the attack in the second half and it paid off at 80:26, when senior forward Dana Stephens scored to tie the game, off a pass from senior forward Kari Buckel.
“We knew they were a good team, and we stepped it up in the second half,” Stephens said.
Granstrand knew his team was tired from the Michigan Tech game and understands it’s not easy playing multiple games on little rest.
“We came out flat from our Michigan Tech game, and it showed in the first half,” Granstrand said. “The trick is to try to get rested.”
Northern Michigan University took on GLIAC newcomers Ohio Dominican University on Sunday, Sept. 12. The Wildcats came away with a 1-0 victory in front of their home crowd at the outdoor fields.
The game was tied at half, and assistant coach Joe Gillespie said it was thanks to the play of the ’Cats defense and sophomore goalie Jessica Baker.
“Jessica had a really good game,” Gillespie said. “She was pretty much in the right place at the right time, and she definitely kept us in the game.”
Both teams battled back and forth all game with similar offensive strategies. It wasn’t until the 84:12 mark that senior forward Kari Buckel kicked the ball over the defender to fellow senior forward Dana Stephens who burned the defense for the game winning goal.
“After the goal we just tried to push offensively and keep them as far down as possible, and I think we did a good job with doing that,” Gillespie said.
The Wildcats stayed aggressive after the goal, and both teams continued to battle. The action halted with just over minute left, when a red card was issued to Ohio Dominican’s Jennifer Holton for unsportsmanlike conduct, including shoving Wildcats Buckel. The game resumed incident-free and the Wildcats came away with the win.
The Wildcats’ successful weekend on the pitch didn’t go unnoticed as sophomore forward Amelia Johnson was named GLIAC Women’s Soccer Athlete of the Week. Johnson helped pace the ’Cats with three goals against Michigan Tech. Johnson’s three goals have her tied for the second most in the GLIAC while her 3.75 shots per game is fourth best.
The Wildcats will get a chance to rest before hosting the Ferris State University Bulldogs on Friday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. at the outdoor fields behind the Superior Dome. The Bulldogs are 1-4 as the teams will fight for position in the GLIAC.
Assistant Coach Joe Gillespie said the team doesn’t want to look too far ahead at the schedule.
“Were trying to take it one game at a time,” Gillespie said.
The Wildcats will also play Grand Valley State on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 12 p.m. at the outdoor fields.
