UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University (NMU) women's soccer team faced off against the Saginaw Valley State (SVSU) Cardinals, playing to a 4-0 defeat.

The Wildcats (3-5-4, 3-4-1 GLIAC) were able to earn two more corner kick opportunities in the match by a margin of 6-4, but they were outshot by a margin of 17-10, including a 10-1 difference in shots on target.

The Cardinals were able to open the scoring in the 28th minute after Abby Ellis popped the ball nearly straight up into the air for it to fall just between Jillian Thompson and the crossbar.

SVSU would then tack on three more scores in the second half with strong counterattacks. 
 

How it Happened

Both teams began to feel each other out immediately following the opening kickoff, but the Wildcats were able to apply some early pressure to the Cardinal defense, driving their way up the right side to earn a corner kick opportunity just over three minutes into the game, but SVSU was able to fend off the attempt and counter attack the other way, rushing to the NMU box before firing off a shot that ultimately drifted wide to the right. A few minutes later, Northern Michigan continued to bring pressure, this time, attacking the left side of the box as Madison Bilbia drove in a shot toward the bottom left corner of the net that was knocked away with a diving save by SVSU goaltender Lainey Garbarz.

Saginaw Valley would then retaliate by bringing some pressure of their own, making their way in close to the left side of the NMU box before firing a shot in, but Thompson was ready to make the save. Then, in the seventeenth minute, Thompson would make another impressive save, going down to the turf to fend off a shot that had some force behind it, popping the ball up and over the net and safely out of play. The Cardinals continued to possess the ball in the Wildcats' side of the field, earning themselves multiple corner kick opportunities, but the NMU defense stood tall time and again.

The Wildcats would then go back on the offensive, bringing the ball in dangerously close to the Cardinals' net before Garbarz scooped it up before any harm could come their way. Northern Michigan continued to attack as Hannah Kastamo fired the ball into the left side of the box, but Alyse Daavettila's header attempt would narrowly miss to the left. However, the Cardinals were able to quickly counter attack down the field, and Ellis managed to pop the ball nearly straight up into the air after crossing into the NMU box for the ball to land just behind Thompson after appearing like it would safely drift over the crossbar to put SVSU ahead 1-0 in the 28th minute. 

The Cardinals were able to draw a dangerous free kick opportunity just outside the left corner of the box with just over six minutes remaining in the half, but Thompson punched the ball away to help her team clear it to the other side of the field as both teams held on for the remainder of the half. 

The Wildcats were able to pressure SVSU early and often to start the second half, but in the 51st minute, the Cardinals were able to force a takeaway near midfield before quickly driving it ahead to Laureyn Fracassi. Thompson was able to fend off Fracassi's attempt, but the second try off of the rebound found the back of the net. 

SVSU continued to attack well on counters as Kaley Douglass fired the ball into the left side of the box where Madi Bajis was waiting for it to slip the ball into the bottom right corner a few minutes later. 

NMU was able to earn themselves a corner kick opportunity in the 60th minute, but Irene Kiilunen's header attempt drifted just to the right of the goal. However, the Cardinals continued to attack as Rileigh Garbarz managed to push the score to 4-0 off of a feed from Maddie White.

The Wildcats continued to battle for the remainder of the game as Olivia Moreno fired in a shot attempt that was followed by a corner kick opportunity, but the SVSU defense was able to hold on for the clean sheet. 

Up Next

The Wildcats will now turn their attention to a Sunday showdown against the Davenport Panthers on October 19 with kick off scheduled for 2 p.m. in Grand Rapids, Mich.