MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team is set to face off against Michigan Tech on Friday, October 11, in Houghton, Michigan. 

Currently boasting a record of 6-2-2 overall and an impressive 4-1-1 in GLIAC play, NMU is riding a five-game unbeaten streak, with only one goal conceded in that stretch, and aims to continue their momentum in this significant contest. 

The Huskies hosted Saginaw and Ferris at home over the weekend, the two teams the 'Cats just defeated, and were unable to score a goal in 0-1 and 0-2 losses. Coming off solid performances, the Wildcats are ready to challenge the UP rivals and secure another victory.

Last Encounter 
The Huskies entered Marquette on a seven-game unbeaten streak, but it was the Wildcats who emerged victorious with a 1-0 win on November 2, 2023. This was the last regular season game of the season and was particularly memorable as it secured NMU's first-ever GLIAC regular season title on Senior Night. 

Follow Along
Follow @NMU_wsoccer and @NMU_Wildcats on X (formerly known as Twitter) for updates leading up to and during the games.

Friday, October 11 - at Michigan Tech at 4:00 p.m. ET 
Watch on TV6 | Watch on FloFC | Live Stats 

Hear from Jon Sandoval
"Houghton is a tough and hostile place to play… This team is always a tough battle, and they always continue to fight, so it's going to be a grind… We have to make sure that we're up to the challenge in what we know is going to be an absolute fight."

Cat Nips

• The Wildcats are top-10 in the nation in total assists (5th), total goals (6th), total points (6th), and assists per game (8th)
• NMU leads the GLIAC and is 15th in the nation in scoring offense
• Justina L'Esperance was named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week after scoring two goals and three assists in two matches
  • Justina leads the conference in total assists, total points, assists per game, points per game, shots on goal, and is second in both goals and goals per game
• Brooke Pietila, the all-time leader in career assists at NMU, has been particularly hot lately, scoring nine points in her last five games (3-3--9).
  • Pietila is top three in the conference in goals, assists, points, and points per game
  • Brooke has played 84 career games for the Wildcats, fourth-most among active DII women's soccer players
• Sally Patton leads the GLIAC in GAA (0.400), is second in SV% (.864), and third in shutouts (4)
• The 'Cats are 13-9-4 against the Huskies all time, hold a 6-4-3 road record against MTU, and are unbeaten in the last three games in Houghton (2-0-1)
• NMU is 7-1-2 against the Huskies in the last ten meetings, out-scoring MTU 15-8 in that frame

A Look At Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech enters this matchup with a record of 4-5 overall and 2-4 in GLIAC play. The Huskies are currently on a two-game losing streak following losses to Saginaw Valley State and Ferris State. 

Julia Pietila is the team's leading scorer and one of the more dangerous offensive weapons in the GLIAC so far. With six goals and one assist, Pietila leads the conference in goals and goals per game, and is second in game-winning goals, points per game, and total points. Pietila was held scoreless on both occasions this weekend, the first time this season she has gone back-to-back games without a goal.

On paper, the Wildcats offense has the opportunity to flourish this weekend, as the Huskies goaltending is near the bottom of the conference in GAA (1.33), save percentage (.707), saves per game (3.22), and shutout percentage (0.333).