PREVIEW: Tech Soccer Hosts Davenport and Grand Valley State

PREVIEW: Tech Soccer Hosts Davenport and Grand Valley State

vs. Davenport (Oct. 18): Stats | Video
vs. Grand Valley State (Oct. 20): Stats | Video

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team is looking to snap a four-match losing streak when they welcome Davenport and Grand Valley State to Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium. The Huskies will take on the Panthers of Davenport on Friday (Oct. 18) before hosting the Grand Valley State Lakers on Sunday (Oct. 20).

Sitting eighth in the GLIAC with a record of 3-5-1 overall and a mark of 0-2 in the conference, the Huskies enter this weekend's slate of games on the heels of a 3-2 defeat against Northern Michigan on October 13. Sophomore Gabby Sgambati and senior Maisy Snyder were the goalscorers for Tech while junior Amanda Young made three saves in the match.

Sophomore Grace Shaw continues to lead the team in scoring with 11 points on four goals and three assists. Sgambati has also been a major contributor to the Huskies offense this season with four goals and an assist. Snyder and junior Jesse Jacobusse have put two in the back of the net, while junior Brooke Schauer and sophomore Hannah Loughlin have produced two assists this season. In net, junior Amanda Young has made six starts and recorded 24 saves and a save percentage of .706.

Davenport (3-5-1, 1-0-1 GLIAC) comes into Friday's game sporting the ninth-ranked scoring offense in the conference with seven total goals scored (0.78 GFA) while their defense gives up the fourth-most goals scored in the GLIAC (18, 1.92 GAA). Following a weekend where they defeated Purdue Northwest 3-0 and drew Parkside 0-0, the Panthers are led on offense by Ashlyn Skidmore and Madeleine Zayan. Skidmore leads the team with five points on three assists and one goal, and Zayan is the team's leading scorer with two goals. In net, Samantha Beckles sits second in the GLIAC in saves (52) while holding a goals-against average of 1.92 and a save percentage of .743.

Ranked in the top five of the United Soccer Coaches Division II poll for the entire season, and picked to win their 15th consecutive GLIAC regular season title in the 2019 GLIAC Preseason Coaches Poll, the Lakers (9-1, 2-0 GLIAC) possess one of the best offenses (39 goals scored, 3.90 GFA) and defenses (3 goals allowed, 0.30 GAA) in the country. Entering the weekend following wins over Parkside (4-0) and Purdue Northwest (6-0), Ava Cook ranks among the top goal scoring threats in the country with 13 goals scored and 1.30 goals scored per game. Chantel Carranza is also an option for the Lakers with 14 points on six goals and two assists. GVSU also boats the reigning GLIAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in Riko Sagara and Cecilia Steinwascher, respectively. The Huskies will look to put their shots past Jessica Radice, who has allowed only three goals all year and has only had to make 13 saves in 2019.

Kick-off on Friday is scheduled for 5 p.m., while noon is the scheduled time for the beginning of Sunday's match. The Huskies will also be hosting the "Kick with Kids" soccer clinic on Saturday (Oct. 19) from 12-1 p.m., free to children of all ages, and there will be a poster signing session following Sunday's game.