Northern Michigan’s weekend told two very different stories, both centered around the brilliance of junior sensation Josie Lakosky. A record-tying performance powered the Wildcats to a dominant win on Friday, while a historic milestone on Sunday came in the midst of a narrow, emotional loss.
The Catpack opened the weekend in emphatic fashion, emphatically steamrolling past Davenport 21-4 behind one of the most impressive individual outings in program history. Lakosky, the junior captain, tied the school’s single-game records with nine goals and 13 points, overwhelming the Panthers from the opening draw. At the final whistle, Lakosky’s season goal tally equaled 71, averaging almost 5 goals per game. Lakosky now looks aims to beat Minnie Bittell’s career goal record at 219, which as of writing, Lakosky sits at 190 with another season to play.
The Wildcats controlled every phase early against the Panthers, particularly in the draw circle. NMU won the first 10 draw controls of the game and finished the first half with an 11-3 advantage, consistently giving its high-powered offense extra possessions. Lakosky and Taylor Roberts led that effort, combining for 12 draw controls.
After a brief feeling-out period to start, NMU seized control late in the first quarter and never looked back. A flurry of goals, including two from Lakosky in just 11 seconds, helped build a 5-1 lead after one. The Wildcats continued to pour it on in the second quarter, extending the margin to 11-2 by halftime.
While the offense drew the headlines, it was the Cats’ defense that was standing tall. The Wildcats forced 12 turnovers, continuing a recent trend of aggressive, disruptive play. Lakosky contributed on that end as well with four caused turnovers, while Natalie Thomas and Chrissy Sabby added key efforts. Clean execution in transition was another difference-maker, as NMU went 17-for-18 on clears.
By the fourth quarter, the outcome was long decided, but Lakosky’s final goal cemented her place in the record book for the day. The 21 goals scored marked NMU’s second-highest total of the season and its largest margin of victory ever against Davenport.
That momentum carried into Sunday’s highly anticipated matchup against Grand Valley State, where the Wildcats honored seniors Emily Radke, Mya Snyder, and Laine Stanton. With conference title implications in play, the game delivered intensity throughout, but ultimately ended in heartbreak for NMU in a 9-8 loss. Lindsey Majkrzak remains winless against Grand Valley as she leaves at the end of the season…
After trailing 6-3 at halftime, the Wildcats responded with their best stretch of the weekend. NMU erupted for five unanswered goals in the third quarter, turning a three-goal deficit into an 8-6 lead. Lakosky once again led the charge, tallying three goals and an assist during the run, while the Wildcats finally found rhythm offensively.
Amid that surge, Lakosky etched her name into program history. Her second-quarter goal gave her 73 on the season, breaking the previous single-season record (72, Minnie Bittell) and solidifying her as the most prolific scorer in NMU history.
Despite the momentum, Grand Valley answered in the final frame. The Lakers scored three straight goals to reclaim the lead, aided by strong play in net from goalkeeper Sarah Krause, who made 12 saves and repeatedly denied NMU on free-position opportunities.
The game’s most controversial moment came in the closing minutes. With just over two minutes remaining, Avery Lorinser appeared to tie the contest, but the goal was waved off due to a dangerous contact call. The resulting penalty gave Grand Valley a prolonged man-up advantage and limited NMU’s chances to respond.
Even so, the Wildcats had one final opportunity after a defensive stop, but a late turnover ended the threat and sealed the one-goal defeat.
Lakosky finished the game with five goals and an assist, capping a remarkable weekend that featured both a record-tying performance and a record-breaking milestone. While the loss stung, NMU showed flashes of a team capable of competing at the top of the conference.
The Wildcats now turn their focus to the final stretch of the regular season, carrying both the confidence of Friday’s dominance and the lessons from Sunday’s narrow defeat.
