The NMU women’s soccer team has recently broken into the DII top 25 national polls for the second straight week after going 1-0-1 over the weekend to stay undefeated. NMU was ranked No.13 in the nation, setting a program record for number of weeks ranked and the highest ranking in program history. This weekend’s draw came against a tough Parkside team that has been playing well this season, going 3-1-1 in their first four matches.
“That was tough. It was good to bounce back against Purdue Northwest, but the expectation I think, coming in on the first opening weekend, was to secure six points,” Head Coach Jon Sandoval said. “And when you look at Friday’s match, it felt like we were deserving of six points.”
Sandoval and the team have been training hard in anticipation for the upcoming road trip in order to continue building momentum and have been pushing to get better each week. After this weekend, the ‘Cats will go through a gauntlet of teams that include back-to-back matches against Davenport and No. 22 Grand Valley State.
“I think we … have to execute better in front of goal, we have to put our foot through the ball, and we have to finish those opportunities because now we are on the road and those opportunities are going to be limited,” Sandoval said.
The ‘Cats will look to push the tempo this week on the road with matches against Ferris State and Saginaw Valley. Sandoval knows not to overlook anyone in the GLIAC, and with such quality competition ahead, NMU will look to stay sharp against two teams trailing the Wildcats in the standings. NMU will take the field against Ferris on Friday, Sept. 22, at 4 p.m. for the first of two matches, filled by a trip to Saginaw Valley on Sunday, Sept. 24, at 12 p.m. to finish off the road trip.
“I think [Ferris State is] a team that is very similar to us. They operate in very similar styles. They may not say that, but they do and so it’s going to be an interesting battle anytime you go up against Ferris,” Sandoval said. “It should be a real test [to] see what we’re made out of. And so, we’re fully expecting our group to get in a good week of training and to see what we’re made of this weekend.”
