MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team started the season 2-0 and will look to keep it going this week as they play their first games at home.
Nationally ranked No. 9 Bemidji State will be in town on Friday, September 2 for a 3 p.m. kickoff. On Sunday, September 4, the 'Cats will play Minnesota Crookston at noon.
Follow Along
Fans can follow the action using live stats and video.
Follow @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continued coverage throughout the week.
Friday vs. Bemidji State
Live Stats:
https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
Video:
bit.ly/3Rd83aA
Sunday vs. Minnesota Duluth
Live Stats:
https://nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
Video:
bit.ly/3Rd83aA
A Look at Bemidji State
The Beavers are 0-1 on the season, losing 3-0 to Division I South Dakota State. NMU is 1-6 vs BSU, suffering a 3-2 loss last season.
Ashley Koch scored in that contest.
A Look at Minnesota Crookston
Crookston is 1-0 this season with a 2-1 win over Waldorf (Iowa). Northern is 2-1-1 against the Golden Eagles and they have not faced each other since 2014.
Head Coach Jon Sandoval Interview
Last Week
The Wildcats impressed in their opening week, claiming road wins at St. Cloud State (2-0) and Minnesota Duluth (3-0).
Justina L'Esperance scored each game, and
Rachael Erste,
Brenna Musser, and
Stephanie Trujillo also scored.
Goalkeeper
Shenae Kreps picked up two shutout wins to start the season.
Preseason Poll
NMU enters the 2022 season picked No. 4 in the GLIAC Preseason Poll, announced by the league on Tuesday. The 'Cats are also receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches National Preseason Poll ahead of the new campaign.
Northern received 30 points in the GLIAC poll, narrowly edging Michigan Tech by a point. Reigning national champion Grand Valley State sits atop the poll with 49 points, followed by Ferris State (42) and Saginaw Valley State (35). NMU slots in at fourth, while Michigan Tech, Davenport, Parkside, and Purdue Northwest round out the poll, respectively.
2022 Roster Breakdown
The Wildcats 2022 roster consists of 37 players, with 24 returners and 13 incoming freshmen. Among the returners are three of their top five point scorers from a season ago including
Justina L'Esperance (18 points),
Ashley Koch (13 points), and
Brooke Pietila (13 points).
L'Esperance tallied seven goals and four assists her freshman year, including the game-winner at Michigan Tech in the GLIAC Quarterfinals. She finished first on the team in game-winning goals (3), tied for first on the team in shots on goal (27), and second on the team in goals (7) and points (18).
Koch finished third on the Wildcats last season with six goals on just 23 total shots. Pietila started all 20 games for NMU a season ago and tied for first with five assists.
Senior goalkeeper
Shenae Kreps returns for the 'Cats. Last season, Kreps started all 20 games for the Green and Gold, stopping 83 shots and posting a 1.45 GAA with a .741 save percentage. Sophomore
Sydney Lake and freshmen
Jillian Thompson,
Ava Wilberding, and
Lindsey Lumm round out the netminders for the Wildcats.
Other notable returners for the 'Cats include
Maria Storm (4 goals),
Brenna Musser (3 goals and 3 assists),
Isabelle Brusilow (3 goals), and upperclassmen
Rachael Erste,
Natalie Stampfly, and
Gwen Kiilunen to anchor the defense.
A Season Ago
The Wildcats finished the 2021 season at 11-8-1 and 8-5-1 in the GLIAC. The Wildcats won their last three in the regular season and went on to defeat Michigan Tech 2-1 in the GLIAC Quarterfinals before falling at Grand Valley State 2-1 to end their season.
