Skip To Main Content

Northern Michigan University

The Official Website of the Northern Michigan Wildcats Northern Michigan Wildcats
Carly Sides
Goalkeeper Carly Sides

Women's Soccer Jack Belcher - Athletics Communications Assistant

PREVIEW: Women’s Soccer Takes on U.P. Rival Michigan Tech

The Wildcats enter the weekend on a three-game unbeaten streak

MARQUETTE, Mich. -- The NMU women's soccer team will be on the road west to Houghton, Michigan, to take on rivals Michigan Tech on Sunday, October 4th at 12 p.m. ET, at Kearly Stadium.

NMU will be seeking to avenge its loss from last October in Marquette, a 0-1 decision that snapped an eight-game unbeaten streak against the Huskies. 

"There's always a little extra emotion," added head coach Erin Egolf during her weekly media availability when asked about the rivalry between the two schools. "The game you have against Tech, I feel like, is always one that the girls are going to be up for on both sides. And so, we just have to be prepared like every other game to go in and take care of our business."

Fans can stream the match through FloCollege, follow along with live stats on nmuwildcats.com, and subscribe to the official NMU Women's Soccer social media channels for match-day updates.

The Wildcats (5-3-2, 2-3-1 GLIAC) are coming off a strong weekend road trip where they drew GLIAC newcomers Wayne State 1-1 on Friday, September 25th, and defeated Saginaw Valley State 4-1 on Sunday, September 27th. 

Against Wayne State, the Wildcats were happy with the result, taking a point from a strong squad on the road. While Wayne State has yet to lose a game in its inaugural season as a program, the Wildcats became just the second team to hold the Warriors to one goal or fewer and take points away from Wayne, a result that head coach Egolf commended her team for.

"I'm pleased with the fight from our group today!" added head coach Egolf after speaking with nmuwildcats.com post-match. "Wayne is a very good side, and we knew we would have to put in a huge team effort to get a result. We'll definitely take a point on the road against a high-level opponent, a point that was well earned. 

It was a goal fest for the Wildcats against SVSU, as Addison Frantti scored a hat trick to earn her first GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honor. Captain Madison Bilbia also found the back of the net, while adding an assist as well.

"Frannie has been a big piece of this team since she set foot on campus last fall," added head coach Egolf during her weekly media availability on Tuesday. "We know that she is dangerous in a lot of different ways; she works incredibly hard. We talk about team defending and about it starting with our forwards; she is one that sets a really nice example there. To see her get rewarded for all her hard work is awesome, and all three finishes were amazing."

With the results, NMU is 2-0-1 in its past three matches, has outscored opponents 8-2, and has jumped into a tie for fifth in the conference standings with seven points. The Wildcats enter the weekend ranked 8th in the Midwest region in the United Soccer Coaches poll, and ninth in the region based on NPI strength.

Head Coach Melissa Kuhar has been with the Huskies since the 2024 season, leading the Huskies to eight wins in her three seasons at the helm, as she looks to continue turning around a struggling Huskie program. Kenzie Dollison is the lone Huskie to score this season, longtime goalkeeper Bri Barrows has played all but 14 minutes, and Olivia Gette leads the back line.

Michigan Tech has started 0-9-1 on the 2026 campaign, with its sole draw coming against Roosevelt on the road in a 1-1 contest two weekends ago. The Huskies are coming off a road trip to the Lower Peninsula, where the team lost 0-3 to Saginaw Valley and 0-2 to Ferris State.

In GLIAC play this season, the Huskies are 0-5-1 and have been outscored 14-1. Despite the tough run of play, head coach Egolf knows that the Huskies will prove a challenge as a team hungry for a win, especially at home and against UP rivals.

"Tech is always on everyone's radar, and we've talked about not looking past any games, and now the Tech game's finally here, and we can focus on it. We both have buys on Friday, so it'll be a fresh game for both of us, and really it's going to be who comes out and is willing to compete and puts their best tactical presentation on the field.

"I think while Tech's results haven't been great, they still have quality in their team. They're a hardworking team, they don't give up, and they have pieces that can break you down. This isn't going to be a cakewalk; we're going into enemy territory, and for us, we have to step up, and we have to establish ourselves early in the game. We have to make sure that we're putting all of the pieces together."
 
Erin Egolf Media Availability - 9/26/2026


 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Madison Bilbia

#13 Madison Bilbia

F
5' 5"
Senior
Addison Frantti

#6 Addison Frantti

F
5' 7"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Madison Bilbia

#13 Madison Bilbia

5' 5"
Senior
F
Addison Frantti

#6 Addison Frantti

5' 7"
Sophomore
F