Over the weekend the women’s soccer team played in the semi and the finals of the GLIAC tournament. The Wildcats won both games to become the new reigning GLIAC tournament champions. 

With the win and new title for the Wildcats, the team will now travel to Ohio for the first NCAA tournament round on Friday. 

First, the Wildcats hosted Michigan Tech for the quarter-finals winning the game in a shutout over the rivals 5-0. 

Junior Justina L’Esperance had two goals in the win over Tech. Four out of five of the goals the Wildcats scored on the Huskies came in the first 15 minutes of the game. 

Once advancing, the team hosted Davenport in the semi-finals winning the game with a final score of 4-1.

All four goals in the win over Davenport came from four different players including L’Esperance, sophomore Madison Bilbia, fifth-year Sami Brown, and fifth-year Brooke Pietila. The team was ahead the whole game keeping the momentum from the last game going. All the hard work paid off as the team advanced to the GLIAC finals. 

“Leadership really and I think um I know I mentioned it previously as well halftime was a big thing  but looking back on that too it was a good thing we got those early goals but both Davenport and Sagen came out very strong in both halves so being able to settle in was really important but now coming into next weekend we can’t really start off the way that we did so that’s something that was emphasized at the end of both games um just making sure that we come out with the fire from the start rather than 20 minutes into the game.” Assistant Coach Natalie Stampfly said. 

Finally, to win the championship the team hosted Saginaw Valley ending the game again in a shutout 3-0. 

Two of the three goals were scored by L’Esperance who during the GLIAC torment had five goals over the course of the three games. The other goal was scored by Molly Pistorius, a junior. 

“I got the chance the honor really to play with Justina and even as a freshman you could tell she was a very special player just same thing with like Molly as well and I can imagine having to sit out with the year that they had last year was really difficult for her,” Stampfly said.  “So, the comeback that she had is it’s like one you see in documentaries it’s been amazing to watch um and someone like her really deserves it so I’m happy it’s played out the way.”

The team will now enter NCAA tournament play expected to kick off on Friday in Ohio. The team will play Drury on Friday at 3 p.m. If the team wins and advances, the Wildcats will play Ashland. 

The Wildcats end the 2024 season 14-3-4 overall and 9-2-3 in the GLIAC. 

“Everything from when I left is just better than it was before so we have the right mindset the team has the right mindset,” Stampfly said.