MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU women's soccer team completed the weekend homestand with a match against the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals. The 'Cats successfully defended its home pitch with a convincing 3-1 decision. 

After holding a 1-0 lead at half, the Cardinals tied the game at one a piece early in the second, and the Cardinals showed signs of life. Immediately after the ensuing kick-off, the 'Cats stormed down the pitch and responded a mere 28 seconds later to retake the lead and steal back any sort of momentum the Cardinals may have gained. A goal near the 80th minute from the 'Cats officially put this one out of reach, and the 'Cats earned its fourth conference win of the season.

"The team showed up and chose to fight and play for each other today," said head coach Jon Sandoval. "They showed a lot of grit and resilience after [the Cardinals] leveled it up. I couldn't be more proud of this group's effort today."

The 'Cats put forth a full team effort, as six different Wildcats registered at least a point in today's contest, led by Justina L'Esperance with a goal and an assist. Hannah Kastamo and Molly Pistorius scored the other two Wildcat goals, Brooke Pietila registered another assist to add to the record, Madison Biblia recorded a multi-assist game, and Lucy Burk notched a helper. 

The wind played a major factor in today's match with cross winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour. A hindrance to both teams, but something Sandoval says this team has become accustomed to.

"This is what were raised in, and this is what we do on a daily basis, so this was nothing new to us. Wind, rain, or snow, we use it to our advantage."

The Wildcats now move to 6-2-2 overall, hold a 4-1-1 conference record, and improve to 3-1-0 at home on the season.

Cat Nips

• Justina L'Esperance recorded her sixth multi-point game with three this evening, giving her 15 points on the year and seven points in two games
• Madison Bilbia recorded her first multi-assist game, registering two on the evening
• Hannah Kastamo and Molly Pistorius both notched their fourth goals of the season
• Along with Sally Patton, Kastamo, Maria Storm, Kenna Alexander, and Irene Kiilunen all played the full 90 minutes
• A dominant performance, the Wildcats outshot the Cardinals 24-3 with 12 on target to one
• NMU held a 5-1 advantage in corners
• The 'Cats now move to 3-1-0 at home this season, and 31-3-7 in the Sandoval era
• The Wildcats are now 8-5-2 all-time at home vs the Cardinals and are 3-0-1 at home in the last four home meetings

How It Happened
1st half
Thirteen minutes into the first half the momentum shifted dramatically for the Wildcats during a well-executed corner kick. Madison Bilbia initiated the play with a short pass off the corner kick to Brooke Pietila. With quick footwork, Pietila turned to find Hannah Kastamo who didn't hesitate and finished the play out with a goal to give the 'Cats a 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats played on the front foot for the full 45 minutes, outshooting the Cardinals 12 to 2 in the first half.

2nd half
The Cardinals would come back in the second half as Lauryn Fracassi displayed vision as she set up teammate Jaidyn Veldhouse with a perfectly timed pass in the 64th minute, tying the game at one apiece.

Just 28 seconds after the Cardinals leveled the score, the Wildcats would answer back. Bilbia connected with L'Esperance who volleyed the ball back to Molly Pistorius who was perfectly positioned to meet the volley and execute a powerful header that found the back of the net. 

Lucy Burke sent in a cross the box that found Justinia L'Esperance sitting at the left goal post, who closed this game out with the 'Cats third goal of the evening.
 
Up Next
The Wildcats are on the road and play a singular game in Houghton against Michigan Tech on October 11.