Huskies Hold Off Rival Northern Michigan

• Box Score

MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team held on for a 1-0 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory Sunday afternoon at rival Northern Michigan University. The Huskies picked up the lone goal of the match in the 26^th minute and withstood the Wildcat attack to preserve the shutout.

"Our team played hard from start to finish and I was really proud of our effort today," Michigan Tech Head Coach Michelle Jacob said. "We were able to take the lead on a beautiful goal by Katri (Studtmann) and our defense made it hold up. Marisa (DeMario) and Sarah did a great job playing the ball forward to Katri for the shot. Sarah also was outstanding in the second half with game management. She kept the ball away from their offense, taking time off the clock and making it difficult for them to get in rhythm."

Michigan Tech (5-5-1, 2-2-1 GLIAC) got the offense moving forward into the attacking third in the 15^th minute with the first shot on goal of the match. Senior forward Sarah Boyd unloaded a shot that had to be saved by goalie Brianna Frontuto to keep it a scoreless contest at that point. In the 19^th minute, junior forward Marisa DeMario had an attempt blocked by the Northern Michigan (2-7-2, 1-2-2) defense, putting some pressure on the Wildcats back line.

The Huskies' attack paid off in the 26^th minute when they powered the ball through the defense for what would prove to be the game winning goal. DeMario started the push on the left side of the field and saw an open Boyd who had slipped in behind the defense. Boyd, then spotted Studtmann positioned in the middle of the field and delivered a precision pass to setup the strike. Studtmann received the ball about 15-yards away from the net in the box and beat the keeper with a perfect shot into the back of the net.

Studtmann has now scored goals in back to back games after notching the game tying goal in the second half of last Sunday's contest at Northwood. DeMario and Boyd were both awarded assists on the play. For both DeMario and Boyd, the assists were the first of the season.

Trailing 1-0 through 45 minutes, Northern Michigan turned up the heat on offense at the beginning of the second half with two quick shots on goal. In the 49^th minute, senior goalie Kirsen Hudak made the first of two saves when Madison Hamilla pushed a header shot towards the net. Then in the 52^nd minute, Jenna Halonen had her strike turned away by Hudak to keep the match in Tech's favor at 1-0.

The Huskies made a handful of bids at insurance goals as time ticked away in the final period. Freshman Leah Goldman was denied a potential scoring opportunity on a save by Frontuto in the 61^st minute followed by shots on goal from Boyd, and freshman Orion Koepsel. Meanwhile, the Huskies' defense prevented the Wildcats from taking any more shots that forced saves by Hudak.

Boyd attempted a team high three shots for the Huskies in addition to picking up the assist on the goal. DeMario had one shot and one assist with Studtmann notching her second goal of the season on her only shot of the afternoon. Tech outshot Northern Michigan 11-6 and had five shots on goal compared to just two for Northern Michigan.

Hudak played all 90 minutes in goal and earned the victory to improve to 4-4-1 on the season. She added two saves to her season totals and now owns 43 on the season.

Aimee Colla paced the NMU offense with a team high two shots while Frontuto suffered the loss in front of the net. She played all 90 minutes, recorded four saves, and allowed the lone goal.

Michigan Tech returns to Sherman Field on Friday night to host Ashland University in a GLIAC match starting at 7 p.m.  The Huskies then entertain Tiffin on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. for the second contest of a five match home stand.