Huskies Return to Sherman Field this Weekend for Key GLIAC Matches
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team returns to Sherman Field for the home stretch of the 2016 regular season starting this Friday against Ashland University. The Huskies, who are 6th in the NCAA Division II Regional Rankings and second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings, will close the weekend on Sunday by hosting Tiffin.
The Huskies enter the weekend with an overall record of 9-2-2 and are in second place in the GLIAC standings thanks to a record of 5-1-2. Tech is one of three teams in the GLIAC to crack the rankings. Grand Valley State University is ranked first in the region followed by Ashland at No. 5 and Michigan Tech at No. 6.
Tech's defense owns seven shutouts and is ranked second in the GLIAC in goals against average, which stands at 0.52. Junior goalie Kirsen Hudak is also second in the conference in goals against average (0.52) and has played every minute in front of the net for the Huskies this season. Hudak brings 63 saves compared to just seven goals allowed into the matches at Sherman Field this weekend.
On offense, senior Jaci Mielke powers the team with seven goals, five assists, and 19 points through the first 13 matches this season. However, the offense has really benefited from a combined team effort with 13 players contributing to the scoring through either goals and/or assists. The Huskies have had different players step on offense and defense each game throughout the 2016 campaign. As a team, the Huskies are averaging 1.46 goals per game and 14.8 shot attempts per match.
Ashland enters the weekend in third place in the GLIAC standings right behind Tech on the strength of an 8-2-3 overall record and a 5-2-1 mark in league play. The Eagles are led on offense by Deijah Swihart with a team best seven goals, two assists, and 16 points. Morgan Bittengle is also a force on the offensive attack as evidenced by six goals, three assists, and 15 points.
Defensively, goalie Courtney Barker has played the majority of time in front of the net and owns a record of 8-2-3 with five shutouts. She has made 58 saves and permitted just 10 goals in 2016. The Eagles are fourth in the conference in goals against average (0.94) and fourth in the GLIAC in goals scored (25).
Tiffin has struggled this season and will enter the weekend with an overall record of 3-12 and 1-7 in the GLIAC. The Dragons will face Northern Michigan on the road Friday before coming to Houghton Sunday afternoon. The lone win in the conference was a 2-1 decision at home against Findlay on Oct. 9. Tiffin topped Concord 2-1 this past Tuesday in a non-conference match.
Adrianna Currie and Svetlana Gudenkova each have a team high three goals for the Dragons. Currie also boasts three assists and a team best nine points. Goalie Samantha Ortenzi has logged most of minutes in net and has made 128 saves this season, which is tops in the GLIAC.
Friday's match against Ashland has been designated as Copper Country Jr. Soccer Night, which will feature a poster giveaway and signings by the Tech players following the contest. The Huskies will also host a free soccer clinic on Saturday afternoon at Sherman Field beginning at 1:45 p.m. For more information on the clinic and to RSVP, email Michigan Tech Head Coach Michelle Jacob at mmjacob@mtu.edu.
Game times this weekend are 5 p.m. for Friday's battle with Ashland and noon for Sunday's match against Tiffin. Live video and stats for both matches are available by clicking here.