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Hannah Kastamo vs GVSU
2024 GLIAC DPOTY, Hannah Kastamo, attacking the 2025 GLIAC DPOTY, Kacy Lauer

Women's Soccer Braden Golisek - Assistant Director of Sports Information

PREVIEW: #5 Wildcats Face #1 Lakers in GLIAC Semifinals

The 'Cats face the sixth-ranked team in the nation in hostile territory

MARQUETTE, Mich. - After upsetting the fourth-seeded Ferris State Bulldogs, the NMU women's soccer team advanced to the GLIAC Semifinals, earning a dance with host and sixth-ranked team in the country, the Grand Valley State Lakers.

Kickoff from Allendale is set for Friday, November 14, at 1 p.m. at the GVSU Soccer Field. Fans can stream the game at FloCollege.com, and follow along with live stats provided at nmuwildcats.com.

The Wildcats (7-7-5, 6-6-2 GLIAC) have found a terrific run of form at the right time, turning in a convincing 2-0 decision over the Bulldogs in the cold and snow at Big Rapids to open the postseason on Tuesday. That win extended the team's unbeaten streak to five games, including pitching its third consecutive clean sheet.

Catalysts for the terrific run of form have been the senior leadership from captains Hannah Kastamo and Kenna Alexander, who were just announced as earning All-GLIAC First and Second Team honors, respectively. Kastamo (six goals and four assists) scored the game-winning goal on Tuesday and holds the team lead in points, while Alexander scored the second Wildcat goal in the 2-0 win to extend her goal streak to five goals in as many games. Picking up an All-GLIAC Honorable Mention nod was Madison Bilbia, who is second on the team in goals and assists. Bilbia picked up an assist in the decision against Ferris State.

The No. 6 Lakers (17-2-0, 13-1-0 GLIAC) ended the regular season as the top-seed in the conference, and earned the right to host the remainder of the postseason after scraping out a 1-0 win over the eighth-seeded Roosevelt Lakers. GVSU enters the weekend on an eight-game win streak, outscoring opponents 24-3 with five clean sheets in that frame. 

The Lakers were awarded for major GLIAC Postseason awards, including senior defender Kacy Lauer being named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year, freshman goalkeeper Macie Hunter being named the GLIAC Goalkeeper of the Year, freshman forward Ivy Wilhelm being named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year, and Head Coach Katelyn Longino and the GVSU coaching staff being named the GLIAC coaching staff of the year. The Lakers also landed ten student-athletes among all three All-Conference teams. 

NMU is 0-2 against the top-ranked team in the region this season, falling 0-4 at home at the end of September and 0-3 on the road at the end of October. With both teams entering the semifinals on a terrific run of form, this game becomes must-watch television. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Kenna Alexander

#10 Kenna Alexander

MF
5' 4"
Senior
Madison Bilbia

#13 Madison Bilbia

F/MF
5' 5"
Junior
Hannah Kastamo

#7 Hannah Kastamo

F/D
5' 8"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Kenna Alexander

#10 Kenna Alexander

5' 4"
Senior
MF
Madison Bilbia

#13 Madison Bilbia

5' 5"
Junior
F/MF
Hannah Kastamo

#7 Hannah Kastamo

5' 8"
Senior
F/D