Huskies Entertain Grand Valley State and Ferris State for Homecoming
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team will host a pair of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matches on Homecoming weekend Friday and Sunday at Sherman Field. The Huskies battle 3rd ranked Grand Valley State University Friday afternoon to start the weekend and then take on Ferris State Sunday to close the GLIAC portion of the 2017 schedule.
Michigan Tech opened a five match home stand last weekend against Ashland and Tiffin, falling 2-1 in tightly contested games against both teams. The Huskies have had 10 of their matches decided by one goal in addition to a 1-1 tie. Tech comes into the weekend with an overall record of 5-7-1 and 2-4-1 in the GLIAC, leaving them in a tie for seventh with seven points in the conference standings. The top eight teams will move on to compete in the GLIAC tournament beginning Tuesday October 31st.
Balance has been a trademark of the Huskies' offense this season, featuring five players who have scored a pair of goals in 2017. Senior Sarah Boyd, junior Marisa DeMario, senior Taylor Archibald, freshman Brooke Schauer, and sophomore Katri Studtmann have all found the back of the net twice through the 13 matches played so far. Three additional players have also contributed a goal and/or assist to the Tech offense this year. Freshman Emily Zeitunian continues to lead the team in assists (3) while Archibald owns a team high six points on a pair of goals and two assists.
Michigan Tech boasts one of the top defenses in the GLIAC, ranking third in fewest goals allowed per game at 1.05. The Huskies are tied for second in the conference for fewest total goals allowed at 14. Senior goalie Kirsen Hudak and freshman goalie Amanda Young have combined to make 75 saves so far this season. Hudak is second in the GLIAC in both goals against average (0.95) and total goals surrendered (10).
Grand Valley State comes to Houghton with an overall record of 13-2 and remain unbeaten in GLIAC matches. The Lakers have won 13 straight contests and are averaging 4.47 goals per match while allowing just 0.59 goals per game to opponents. Senior Gabriella Mencotti has scored a GLIAC best 21 goals, dished out five assists, and has amassed 47 total points so far this year. Senior goalie Jennifer Steinaway is 13-2 in front of the net and enters the weekend with 31 total saves.
Ferris State is 9-6 overall and 5-2 in GLIAC going into their match on Friday at Northern Michigan. The Bulldogs are in sole possession of third place and hoping to clinch at least a home game for the quarterfinals in the upcoming GLIAC tournament. Ferris State has 15 points and leads Tiffin, who is in fourth place, by three points and trails second place Ashland by three points.
Junior Carley Dubbert is the top scorer on offense with nine goals and 20 points. Sophomore Brandi Wagner and senior Hilerie Schatzle share the team lead in assists with five apiece. As a team, the Bulldogs are producing 2.07 goals per game and permitting opposing offenses just 0.92 goals per match. Sophomore goalie Grace Kraft has logged the most time in front of the net and is 6-6 on the season with 69 saves compared to just 12 goals allowed.
Friday's match kicks off at 4 p.m. against Grand Valley State with Sunday's start time slated for 12 p.m. Fans can follow all the action through live video and stats by clicking here.