The NMU Women’s Soccer team went on the road for their first two games of the season in Minnesota over the weekend.

However, the results from both games did not go to the Wildcats’ favor, as they lost to both the St. Cloud State University Huskies 3-0 and to the Winona State University Warriors 4-1.

Wildcat head coach Sonia Basma said the team is shrugging off the losses and is learning from them.

“To be honest, it was a big learning curve for us,” Basma said. “The team is still trying to figure out what system we can play and how to adapt to it. It’s too early to tell what’s going to happen, but it all takes time.”

“Regardless of winning or losing, we’re all going to be learning on a daily basis,” Basma said.

Freshman forward Jenna Halonen said that the team has gradually progressed throughout last weekend.

“I think that the results reflected how we play and it’s that we improved,” Halonen said. “In the second game especially since we played like a team, had a lot more energy,and looked good out there.”

At St. Cloud State, both teams started off slow and conservative, combining three shots on goal through 20 minutes of play. The Huskies, however, would find the back of the net for the lone three goals of the games off of six shots to close the first half, ending the game 3-0.

St. Cloud State’s Hannah Marion, Maria Kass and Sarah Benhart were the Huskies goal scorers, while senior forward Madison Hamilla and senior defender Allyssa Milam each had two shots for the Wildcats.

Junior goalkeeper Emma Vermette began the contest at net allowing the first goal in the 20th minute. Later in the game, Vermette was replaced by freshman Briana Frontuto, who allowed the remaining two goals from five shots taken. Both Vermette and Frontuto each recorded two saves.

In Winona State, the game was kept tight after a goal off from Halonen, which made the score 2-1 at 52:06. The Warriors offense would help pull away as goals from Alyssa Reynolds and Darian Molter to decide the contest. Molter had two goals in the contest.

Frontuto had a busy, but difficult afternoon at the net facing 19 shots from Winona State, but came up with six saves. NMU notched 14 shots at net.

Halonen said she was excited to have the opportunity to score the first goal for the Wildcats this season and of her career as well.

“It was exciting,” Halonen said. “Ally [Milam] passed a perfect ball to me and I was just right there to put the ball in.”

Basma was pleased on the team’s efforts and how they competed with the two teams.

“The refreshing thing was that we competed well with them,” Basma said.  “Unfortunately, it was just a matter of them capitalizing on our mistakes, but it gets me excited seeing how we can learn from these mistakes and make it a lesson from them.”

Both Basma and Halonen said they’re looking to be playing at home for the first time this year.

“By having the home crowd here and with everyone’s support, I think it makes a huge difference for the girls,” Basma said.

“I’m excited for us to have our fans come and watch us and have us play on our own field,” Halonen said.

The Wildcats will host their first home games over the weekend. On Friday they’ll play the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs and on Sunday against the Bemidji State University Beavers.