ST. CLOUD, Minn. - The Northern Michigan women's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the season on Saturday, falling to the St. Cloud State Huskies by a 2-1 margin. The Wildcats are now 1-1 on the season. 

NMU's goal came in the 80th minute off the foot of Calihan Bearden, her first of the season and the fourth of her career. Bearden collected a redirect from Angelina Perritano outside the 18-yard box and fired a strike to the net that the keeper couldn't collect. It closed the gap to 2-1, but the Wildcats were unable to muster another in the winding minutes. 

St. Cloud State opened the scoring in the 26th minute. Ellie Primerano got a crosser from Krysten Schuster and found the back of the net to break the scoreless tie.  NMU had a great opportunity for the equalizer in the 31st minute. Hannah Kastamo found L'Esperance back door, but a nice save from the keeper kept NMU off the board. 

The Wildcats led in shots in the first half 9-3 despite trailing by a goal. 

NMU controlled play to start the second as well, but couldn't break through as SCSU remained stout in net. The Huskies would extend the lead to 2-0 in the 67th minute off of a free kick. Linsey Trapino used her left foot to send the ball to the far corner that just beat the outstretched Jillian Thompson. 

Bearden's late goal gave the 'Cats momentum and created some additional opportunities for the late equalizer, but it never came to fruition. 

Northern led handily in shots 18-4 and shots on goal 9-3. The Wildcats also had all five corner kicks in the game. SCSU's Meriel Orham proved to be the difference, stopping eight of nine shots sent her way to hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season. 


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NMU will be back on the road next weekend, playing Cedarville and Northwood on the campus of Northwood University.