NMU Women’s Soccer ended the season in their fourth annual GLIAC Tournament first-round against top seed Grand Valley State University.
This was the fourth consecutive time the ’Cats made GLIAC playoffs. The Wildcats will end their season with a 4-10-4 record and 3-4-4 in the GLIAC. Casey Durand led the team in points this season with 5 goals. Three of Durand’s goals were game-winners. Senior goalkeepers Caroline Glantz and Alexandra Simmons both had two shutouts this season.
The Wildcats lost 0-6 to GVSU Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the Laker Soccer Field. Going into the game Grand Valley was 11-0 in the GLIAC, placing them a top seed in the tournament. Northern Michigan had a 3-4-4 record in the conference.
Head coach David Poggi said the team couldn’t have asked for better conditions while enjoying mid 60 degree weather, a sunny field and the atmosphere of one of the top teams in the country.
“The big thing was making it there,” Poggi said. “We got a chance to play a team that’s going to win it for consecutive years. It was a good treat for us at the end. We know how to set our sights for next season.”
GVSU senior midfielder Marti Corbi put a header into the net with only 51 seconds into play the first period. Senior forward Jayma Martin made the next goal with 17 minutes on the clock.
Going into the second half 0-2 NMU kept the ball away from the net for 29 minutes. GVSU fired shots at the 53rd, 58th and 74th minute to end the matchup. ’Cats assistant coach Haley Boroughf said she was proud of how the girls managed the ball on the field.
“We defended well and ended up with six shots and corner kicks,” Boroughf said. “They are a team that doesn’t typically allow corner kicks or possession of the ball, so that was really good for the girls.” The Wildcats put four shots on goal compared to GVSU 16 shots on goal. Glantz recorded 10 saves during the matchup.
Grand Valley sophomore goalkeeper Jennifer Steinaway and Simmons are tied for first in the GLIAC totaling five goals against.
GVSU has four of the GLIAC top scorers on their roster including junior forward Gabriella Mencotti in first ranking in a total of 58 points this season. Others include Martin, senior forward Kendra Stauffer, and senior midfielder Marti Corby. The ladies also rank the highest in GLIAC assists.
The ’Cats traveled to Houghton to play the Michigan Tech Huskies Friday, Oct. 28 at Sherman Field.
Boroughf said the team really started to come together the last couple weeks and the ties came in handy.
“This was one of our better games all season,” Boroughf said. “We battled for the whole 90 minutes. It wasn’t anything fancy, but we worked really hard and got that point.”
It was a scoreless game that went into double overtime. Simmons achieved her second shutout of the season with a total of six saves. This was Simmons’ ninth shutout for the ’Cats.
The tie clinched a spot in the playoffs for NMU. The ’Cats now say goodbye to nine senior players.
Simmons said she was proud that the Tech game was her last with NMU.
“We got through some adversities. I’m proud how the season ended, the way we handled everything,” Simmons said. “I’m going to miss it. There is another journey ahead for sure.”
