MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team took care of business on the field this afternoon, defeating the Ferris State Bulldogs 4-1 and securing a ticket to the GLIAC Championship.

This is the second straight season the Wildcats have made it to the GLIAC championship match, the first time the match will be played in Marquette, and the third time in four years under head coach Jon Sandoval.

The 'Cats came out on the front foot to start the match, as Molly Pistorius scored only four and a half minutes in off an assist from Isabelle Brusilow. The second goal was scored with six minutes left in the half by Calihan Bearden with Brooke Pietila coming in with the assist. It was all 'Cats in the first half, as they would go on to outshoot the Bulldogs 14-1 in the first half with a 2-0 lead. 

The Wildcats continued its strong play in the second half, with goals coming from Pistorius and Madison Bilbia to give the 'Cats a four-goal cushion. Jillian Thompson made six saves throughout the game with the 'Cats victory.

The Wildcats now improve to 15-1-4 overall with an 8-0-3 home record, and the Bulldogs fall to 7-9-4 overall as its season comes to a close.

Defender Isabelle Brusilow had this to say after the match today:

"I'm really proud of us and the way we came out with hunger and playing for each other, and we did what we needed to do and what we talked about this week. Very happy with the result, and time to look forward to Sunday."

Cat Nips

• Molly Pistorius scored twice, her fourth multi-goal game of the season, and GLIAC leading 14th goal. She has also made NMU history, with her 14 goals putting her at second-most in a season, and her 32 points leading her to third-most points in a season, and is now eighth in career points as a sophomore.
• Calihan Bearden scored the second goal of the afternoon, earning her first goal of the season and second of her career
• Madison Bilbia scored the third goal of the match, putting her at two this season
• Isabelle Brusilow, Brooke Pietila, and Stephanie Trujillo registered assists on the field
• Jillian Thompson recorded her GLIAC-leading 14th win on the season
• The Wildcats outshot the Bulldogs 26-13, with 11 to seven on target
• The 'Cats recorded five corner kicks to the Bulldogs' two
• The Bulldogs were shown two yellow cards and a red card in the final two minutes of the game
• The Wildcats now improve to 8-0-3 at home this season, continuing its impressive unbeaten streak at home to 20-0-6

How It Happened
1st Half
The Wildcats didn't take long to strike, as Isabelle Brusilow curled the ball to Molly Pistorius, who netted her 13th goal of the season just four and a half minutes into the match, and gave the Wildcats an early 1-0 advantage.

The 'Cats continued to play on the front foot, as they outshot the Bulldogs 9-1 in the first 30 minutes of the match. 

The 'Cats registered its second goal of the match from the foot of Calihan Bearden. Bearden received a pass from Brooke Pietila down the right side and netted her first of the season.

The 'Cats strode to the locker room with a 2-0 lead and outshot the Bulldogs 14-1 with five on target. 

2nd Half
The Wildcats continued their success with a set piece coming off of the foot of Stephanie Trujillo, who curled it to Madison Bilbia before redirecting it into the net past the Bulldog's goalkeeper Lauren Kubacki, extending the Wildcats' lead to three.

Pistorius built off the Wildcat's success and netted yet another within ten minutes of the last. Her high-center goal was connected by Pietila, who racked up her second assist in the match. Earning the Wildcats a four-point lead over the Bulldogs.

A crucial save was made with 25 minutes left in the game by Brusilow. Ferris kicked it into high gear down the field and made a shot that was expected to be made before Brusilow stepped in at the right time and cleared it mere inches before rolling over the line.

With only ten minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs played spoiler to Jillian Thompson's clean sheet, as Isabella Sabo connected the ball into the net through a high center shot.

The 'Cats would hold on to the 4-1 lead, punching their ticket to advance to the GLIAC Championship game in Marquette. 

Up Next
The Wildcats will advance to take on the Parkside Rangers for the GLIAC Championship game on Sunday, November 12, at 1 p.m.