The Northern Michigan University women’s soccer team will be playing their last game of the season against Michigan Tech University on Saturday, Oct. 31 at noon.
This game is senior day for the Wildcats as they will be honoring seniors Hailey Beyrand and Helen Kiilunen for all their hard work the past four years.
The Wildcats hosted the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 23 and won 2-0.
Junior midfielder/forward Paula Hafner scored both goals for the ‘Cats. Hafner’s first goal of the game was in the sixth minute of play.
Junior keeper Alexandra Simmons had four saves for the Wildcats.
The ‘Cats held the edge in both shots, 10-8, and in corner kicks, 4-1.
“I thought we played very well against a dangerous SVSU team and came out with a quality win,” NMU head coach Matt Granstrand said.
The Wildcats also hosted the Northwood Timberwolves on Sunday, Oct. 25 where they lost 3-2. Junior midfielder Gabriella Garza scored unassisted in the first half and Hafner scored for the Wildcats in the second half. Sophomore midfielder/forward Tabitha Boze had the assist on Hafner’s goal.
Simmons had two saves for NMU in the loss.
“It was a good weekend for us,” Granstrand said. “On Sunday, I thought we played just as well, but unfortunately didn’t capitalize on our chances and in the end, it came back and bit us.”
“We were really excited to beat Saginaw but disappointed to lose to Northwood,” Garza said. “It was a team we definitely should have beat.”
The Michigan Tech Huskies are 8-5-1 for the season with a GLIAC conference record of 5-4-1.
Leading the Huskies this season is senior forward Lexi Herrewig, who has recorded 11 goals and five assists. Junior forward Jacqueline Mielke has eight goals and five assists for the Huskies.
Last season, the ‘Cats lost to the Huskies 2-1. Hafner scored the lone goal for the Wildcats while Mielke scored both goals for the Huskies.
“This season we started out very slow and got stuck in a losing slump, but thankfully we turned it around and have had a great season,” Garza said. “Against Tech, we are going to give everything we have and do whatever it takes to win.”
Garza added that it will be a tight and competitive game and would be awesome to give the graduating seniors their first win against Tech on senior day.
“Our game plan for Michigan Tech is the same as every other game,” Granstrand said. “We train hard during the week and come ready to compete on game day. We respect Michigan Tech just like we respect everyone in our tough conference.”
The Wildcats are 6-9 for the season with a GLIAC conference record of 6-5. The ‘Cats are tied for sixth in the GLIAC rankings and with a win, can help their chances of being in the GLIAC Tournament that begins on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
