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Northern Michigan University

The Official Website of the Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan Wildcats
Madalyn Nissen
2
Northern Mich. NMU (8-4-5, 5-4-4)
3
Winner Davenport DAV (9-4-4, 7-4-2)
Northern Mich. NMU
(8-4-5, 5-4-4)
2
Final
3
Davenport DAV
(9-4-4, 7-4-2)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Northern Mich. NMU 2 0 2
Davenport DAV 2 1 3

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

Panthers Snap Wildcat Unbeaten Streak

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The NMU women's soccer team fell 3-2 against the Davenport Panthers in the penultimate regular season contest of 2026.

The Wildcats (8-4-5, 5-4-4 GLIAC, 5th - 19 pts) went down 2-0 after goals a minute apart in the first half. Madison Bilbia and Lily Senese drew the 'Cats level before the halftime buzzer, but a late go-ahead goal from the Panthers proved to be the game-winner.

With the win at the time of writing, the Panthers (9-4-4, 7-4-2 GLIAC, 2nd - 25 pts) move into second place in the GLIAC standings and move one step closer to hosting a GLIAC quarterfinal match.

The 'Cats got 90-minute performances from defenders Ava Buhlman, Riley Hill, Irene Kiilunen, and Madalyn Nissen, with Hill notching an assist. Sole Corley played the full 90 in the midfield, and Gretchen Ellis played 83 minutes before leaving late with an injury. Bilbia led the forward group with 76 minutes, followed by Addison Frantti with 64.

The Wildcats used four substitutes, including 66 minutes from Izzy Armstrong and 48 minutes from Cecelia Wille.

The Panthers held a slight edge in shots at 9-7, but both teams registered five shots on target. The Wildcats held a 4-3 corner kick advantage, were whistled for 11 fouls to 14, and DU's Audrey Muterspaugh was booked for the lone yellow card of the match.

NMU will play the final regular season match of the 2026 campaign on Saturday, traveling to Allendale, Michigan, to play Grand Valley 

The Panthers opened the scoring just after the 15-minute mark, following a turnover from a Wildcat goal kick in midfield. The Panthers worked it deep into the left corner; Workman weaved through two Wildcat defenders and passed to Vance, who scored on her first touch from inside the box.

The Panthers doubled its lead just a minute later, converting from a corner kick. A curling delivery found its way to a dangerous area before it was punched away by Sides. Her clearing attempt found the foot of Whitford, who deposited in tight to extend the lead in quick succession.

The Wildcats got one back, converting from a free kick of its own. Riley Hill sent a ball towards the box that landed and bounced over the hands of netminder Wolter, and senior captain Madison Bilbia was in behind to capitalize and bring NMU back within one.

The Wildcats found the equalizer in the final 10 minutes of the opening half, converting from a free kick of its own. Gretchen Ellis delivered a ball into the box that was worked around before finding the foot of Lily Senese, who smashed the game-tying goal into the upper corner and brought the match level.

After a scoreless first 38 minutes of the second half, the Panthers regained the lead. A deep throw-in was well defended, but the clearing attempt landed on the boot of a Panther attacker. Her initial shot was blocked, but the rebound found the foot of Whitford, who scored her second of the game from on top of the penalty area and past the outstretched lunge of Sides to the far bottom corner.



 
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