The NMU women’s soccer team took the field for the first time under new head coach Erin Egolf, facing the Marquette United U18/U16 men’s team in a spring exhibition at the Superior Dome. Despite a hard-fought effort, the Wildcats fell 3-2.
Marquette United struck early and doubled its lead in the second period before NMU responded in the third. The Wildcats cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 62nd minute and tied it nine minutes later off a rebound from a corner kick. Marquette United, however, reclaimed the lead in the 82nd minute, and NMU’s late push, including a shot off the crossbar, fell short.
Egolf takes over after Jon Sandoval’s departure and inherits a program that has won back-to-back GLIAC titles and made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
Egolf herself is no stranger to the Division II level, spending most of her coaching career in the Midwest region prior to her hiring. She understands the challenges ahead but sees NMU as a program ready to stay competitive.
“The Midwest region, I think we know, is really tough,” she said. “For me as a coach, I want to beat the best, and there’s some of the best in our region.”
She emphasized that while NMU lost key players, the team’s foundation remains strong.
“Starting over is not where this program is at,” Egolf said. “This fall will be a rebuild … but I know we can bring in good players, good students and good people that will help continue to push this program forward.”
The Wildcats continue their spring schedule with matches against UW-Green Bay, Marquette University, UW-Stevens Point and Michigan Tech before a rematch with Marquette United on April 13.
