The NMU women’s varsity soccer team traveled downstate last weekend to fight for position in the GLIAC as the team looks forward to its final regular season game at home this weekend.
On Friday, Oct. 22, the ’Cats (7-4-3 GLIAC, 7-4-5 overall) faced Saginaw Valley (8-5-1 GLIAC, 9-6-1 Overall) for the second time this season, and like the first meeting came away victorious, beating the Cardinals 2-1. Although Northern didn’t score until the second half, head coach Matt Granstrand was impressed with his team’s first half effort.
“I think the first half was the best half we played all season,” Granstrand said. “We didn’t score a goal, but we outshot them 12-1. We moved the ball wonderfully all over the field.”
The ’Cats first half efforts led to second half results as senior forward Kari Buckel scored at 45:19 off the opening kick off to give Northern the 1-0 lead. The Wildcats were able to hold off Saginaw until the Cardinals tied the goal at 84:19 off the Charley Porter goal. Sophomore midfielder KC McCary was happy with the team’s play, and effort in the final minutes.
“I think we all worked really hard,” McCary said. “After they scored that first goal we really wanted to score again.”
The ’Cats kept battling and were able to regain the lead right before regulation ended at 89:59 off sophomore forward Amelia Johnson’s goal, her eighth of the season.
“Great individual effort by Amelia,” Granstrand said. “Basically took it all the way from their box to our box and beat two defenders.”
The second game of the weekend was on Sunday, Oct. 24 as the Wildcats traveled to Midland to face the Northwood University Timberwolves (5-9 in the GLIAC, 7-9 overall). The ’Cats beat the Timberwolves at home earlier this season, but couldn’t overcome Northwood’s quick start on the road and fell 4-1.
“Give credit to Northwood. They came out more ready to play then we did,” Granstrand said. “They put three goals on us in five minutes, and that’s a hard thing to recover from.”
The Timberwolves were led by Amanda Watson, who assisted the first goal at 1:24 and scored the next two at 2:33 and 5:08. Northwood was able to keep the ’Cats scoreless until the second half, when sophomore midfielder Brekelle Sellers scored off the assist from fellow sophomore Caitlin Glendenning at 65:38. Northwood was able to add one more goal at 70:19.
“It’s a let down after the way you play against Saginaw to let that happen, but it’s a long season now were coming to the end of it,” Granstrand said. “There’s ups, there’s downs and we’re just trying to stay somewhere in the middle.”
Next weekend the Wildcats host their final home game of the season against rival Michigan Tech (5-9 in the GLIAC, 7-9 overall) on Saturday, Oct. 30. The game is Senior Day for the ’Cats and the last home game for Dana Bush, Anne Spears, Dana Stephens and Kari Buckel. Senior forward Dana Stephens is excited for the game, and opportunity to play Michigan Tech.
“Were excited, it’s a big game, especially since it’s the breast cancer awareness game, and Tech’s our main rival,” Stephens said. “Were excited we want to have a good game and win.”
