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Northern Michigan University

The Official Website of the Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan Wildcats
Wildcats Celebrating Kenna Alexander's goal
1
Winner Northern Mich. NMU (6-7-4, 6-6-1)
0
Purdue Northwest PNW (5-9-2, 3-9-0)
Winner
Northern Mich. NMU
(6-7-4, 6-6-1)
1
Final
0
Purdue Northwest PNW
(5-9-2, 3-9-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Northern Mich. NMU 1 0 1
Purdue Northwest PNW 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Braden Golisek - Assistant Director of Sports Information

Wildcats Blank Pride in Regular Season Finale

Alexander scores back-to-back game-winning goals, Thompson earns back-to-back shutouts

HAMMOND, Ind. - The NMU women's soccer team ended the 2025 regular season campaign with a win, earning all three conference points on the road in a 1-0 decision over the Purdue Northwest Pride.

The Wildcats (6-7-5, 6-6-2 GLIAC) opened the contest with the wind at their back, and would convert on a set piece to take a 1-0 lead into the halftime break. Irene Kiilunen sent a massive free kick into the box, and the rebound landed on the foot of Kenna Alexander, who scored her second game-winning goal in as many games. Alexander is peaking at the right time, as the senior has netted four goals and an assist in the final four games, giving her a tie for the team lead in goals. NMU held a 6-4 shot advantage in the opening frame, with both teams garnering two on target, and NMU holding a 2-1 corner kick advantage.

It was still the Wildcats who maintained an advantage out of the break, as the team recorded eight shots to three with three corner kicks to none in the second half. Goalkeeper Jillian Thompson made three saves to earn back-to-back shutouts, ending the season having only allowed one goal in the past three contests. Aiding in the clean sheet were Addison Wargo, Ava Buhlman, Alexander, and Kiilunen, all turning in full ninety-minute performances. Gretchen Ellis (87) and Madalyn Nissen (85) rounded out the Wildcat field players who turned in 80+ minutes.

With the full three points, the Wildcats will maintain its fifth-place finish in the GLIAC, and will travel to the program that finishes the season in fourth. At the time of writing, Ferris State defeated Parkside, and Saginaw Valley is losing 1-0 to Davenport. With GVSU locking up the first spot, SVSU and UWP are tied with 25 points in second and third, and FSU now has 24 points in fourth, making the final day of the regular season on Saturday crucial for tournament seeding.

With a loss, the Pride's season will now be decided in Houghton on Saturday. The Pride remain the eight seed with nine points, and the Huskies are currently out of the playoffs with seven points. With a win or draw, the Pride will earn a berth, but should the Huskies win at home in the season finale, Michigan Tech will jump Purdue Northwest into the final spot in the postseason. 

How It Happened
After a scoreless first half hour of play, the Wildcats scored after converting on a set piece. Kiilunen, who found herself in a similar position to where she scored a pair of goals off free kicks earlier in the season, sent a ball towards the box. Fischer was unable to handle the wind-aided ball, and the rebound landed on the foot of Alexander, who deposited the rebound into the yawning cage.

Up Next
The Wildcats now await the final day of the regular season to determine where the team will travel for the opening round of the GLIAC postseason. That game will take place on Tuesday, November 11. 



 
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