It was a rollercoaster weekend for the Wildcat women’s soccer team in the Lower Peninsula, splitting a pair of GLIAC games. The Wildcats won on Friday, Oct.16 1-0 over Ferris State, extending their winning streak to five games. After playing two halfs scoreless, the Wildcats and Bulldogs went into overtime, where the Wildcats ended the game quickly scoring on the 92nd minute, on a shot that hit the crossbar from Paula Hafner and deflected in by Carmen Villarruel.
“I really liked everything about our performance against Ferris,” NMU head coach Matt Granstrand said. “Ferris was undefeated before our game. We were strong in the back and finished on chances. But most importantly we were resilient when we needed to be.”
The following day the Wildcats traveled to Allendale to take on the top team in the GLIAC and No. 4 team in the country, the Grand Valley State Lakers.
The Wildcats had their five-game win streak snapped as they fell to the Lakers, 7-0. Caroline Glantz had five saves on the day for the Wildcats. “GVSU is just a different animal,” Granstrand said. “But we worked hard and played the game the right way. However, Grand Valley has multiple National Championships for a reason-they are really good.” The loss moves the Wildcats to 5-8 for the year and 5-4 in the GLIAC heading into the home stretch of the regular season.
The current standings have the Wildcats at sixth in the GLIAC and currently in the conference tournament. The last three games of the season have a big impact on the Wildcats seeding for the GLIAC Tournament.
On Friday, Oct. 23 the Wildcats play host to Saginaw Valley, currently ninth in the GLIAC and on the outside looking in. On Sunday, Oct. 25, the Wildcats then host Northwood University, currently in fifth place, one spot ahead of the Wildcats. “Both these teams are right in the mix of the playoff hunt, just like us,” Grandstrand said. “Both play different styles from us, but are very good teams.”
The Wildcats wrap up all three games at home after being on the road the last four games.
“It’s great to be back home,” Granstrand said. It’s been a long travel year. We can focus being at home and take things one day at a time.
“We don’t want to get caught up in distractions and the tournament. We take things just one day at a time.”
