MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team continued its outstanding play at home, securing a crucial three points in a 1-0 win against Ferris State.

Despite only scoring one goal, the Wildcats dominated play all through the match, outshooting the Bulldogs 24-4 with 13 on target. Hannah Kastamo scored for the Wildcats, and Jillian Thompson picked up her GLIAC-leading 11th shutout.

The Wildcats now move to 12-1-4 overall and 8-1-4 in conference play, as the Bulldogs fall to 3-7-3 overall and 5-8-4 in GLIAC play. 

Cat Nips

• Hannah Kastamo scored for the 'Cats, her sixth of the season and first in six games, netting a new career-high as she surpassed her mark of five last season
• Kenna Alexander was credited with an assist, the first point of her career
• Jillian Thompson continues to impress in goal, as she recorded her GLIAC-leading 11th shutout and win
• Aside from the keeper, five Wildcats registered ninety minutes of play; Pietila, Storm, Alexander, Kiilunen, and Brusilow
• The Wildcats outshot the Bulldogs 24-4, with 13 on target to two
• The Wildcats had four corner kick opportunities to FSU's one
• There were plenty of whistles in today's match, as a total of 41 fouls were called between the two sides. Northern's 22 fouls called against was a season-high.

How It Happened
1st Half
The Wildcats started the game fast, outshooting the Bulldogs 5-1 with two corners to none in the opening 20 minutes. The 'Cats recorded plenty of quality looks and possession but were unable to come away with anything to show for it to start.

The Wildcats' best opportunity of the match came at the 30-minute mark, as a blocked clear sprung Molly Pistorius down the right side and with numbers. Molly crossed a ball for Brooke Pietila who was on the mark, but the Ferris goalkeeper came off her line to slide and negate the chance, barely beating Brooke to the ball. 

The Wildcats were in stride heading into the half, outshooting the Bulldogs 11-1 with six on target.

2nd half
The 'Cats came inches from scoring the first goal of the match, as Pistorius lined up a strike that grazed the top of the crossbar.

Not minutes later, Hannah Kastamo rang one off the crossbar, again coming inches from opening the scoring.

Kastamo would soon find her mark, as Kenna Alexander rifled in a cross from just on the attacking side of the 50-yard line. Kastamo lunged into the air and got a head on the ball to redirect it past the keeper.

The Wildcats scored again from a set-piece, but the officials called a foul in the box moments before the ball crossed the goal line.

The 'Cats would hold onto the 1-0 lead, securing the win for the Wildcats and a crucial three points.

Up Next
The Wildcats close out its regular season with a crucial match against rival Michigan Tech on Thursday at 3 p.m. at the NMU soccer stadium.