MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Wildcats (5-0-1, 2-0 GLIAC) are home this weekend, as they welcome a pair of tough conference opponents to the NMU Soccer Field.
On Friday, September 16, NMU will face off with Ferris State (1-2-2, 0-0-2 GLIAC) at 3 p.m. The Bulldogs are the reigning GLIAC Tournament Champions. On Sunday, September 18, Saginaw Valley State (3-2-1, 1-1 GLIAC) will be in town for a 1 p.m. showdown.
Follow Along
Fans can follow the action using live stats and video.
Follow @NMU_wsoccer and @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter for continued coverage throughout the week.
Friday vs. Ferris State
Live Stats: nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
Video: flofc.com/live/45654
Sunday vs. Saginaw Valley State
Live Stats: nmuwildcats.com/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary
Video: flofc.com/live/45659
A Look at Ferris State
The Bulldogs are 1-2-2 this season with a 0-0-2 GLIAC record. FSU is led by Isabella Zamborini who has scored twice this year. NMU is 7-7-6 in their matchups. Last year, the Wildcats lost 3-2.
A Look at Saginaw Valley State
The Cardinals are 3-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the GLIAC. Their offense is led by Rileigh Garbarz and Stephanie Strong who each have four points. NMU has been 14-10-2 against SVSU with two wins last season.
A Look at the Wildcats
Northern is 5-0-1 and 2-0 in the GLIAC, outscoring opponents 25-4. Their 25 goals and 69 points are more than double the next team in the GLIAC (Parkside - 10 goals and 30 points).
The Wildcats also stack up with the best of them in the nation in several top offensive categories. The Wildcats lead the country in shots on goal/game at 12.5. NMU is second in points/game at 11.5. They are also third in goals/game at 4.17 and assists/game at 3.17.
The wealth has been spread out on offense to start the year, as they have five of the six leading scorers in the GLIAC.
Justina L'Esperance is tied for the conference lead with five goals,
Brooke Pietila has four, and
Rachael Erste,
Molly Pistorius, and
Hannah Kastamo all have three. Pietila also leads the conference with four assists.
NMU has earned Offensive Player of the Week each of the first three weeks, with
Justina L'Esperance being honored with the first two and
Brooke Pietila earning the recognition in week three.
Last Week
The Green and Gold took to the road for a pair of commanding GLIAC wins. NMU defeated Parkside 7-1 behind five second-half goals and followed it up with a 4-0 shutout win at Purdue Northwest.
Coach Jon Sandoval Weekly Interview
