Tech Soccer Blanked in 3-0 Defeat to Davenport
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Davenport (4-5-1, 2-0-1 GLIAC) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
Michigan Tech (3-6-1, 0-3 GLIAC) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Huskies soccer team was defeated 3-0 by Davenport on Friday (Oct. 18) from Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium in GLIAC play. The Huskies drop to 3-6-1 overall and 0-3 in the conference with their fifth straight loss this season.
Michigan Tech's best goal-scoring opportunities came in the 33rd minute. Junior Emily Zeitunian entered the Davenport final third with the ball down the left wing and evaded the opposing fullback to find sophomore Gabby Sgambati unmarked in the middle of the pitch. Sgambati took a quick shot from outside the penalty area but she mishit the ball and it was easily saved by the goalkeeper. Following a foul against the Panthers (4-5-1, 2-0-1 GLIAC), senior Alexie Flaminio found herself with time and space for a shot on goal from 30 yards out, but it was saved off the bounce by the goalkeeper.
The Panthers scored the first and only goal of the first half in the 19th minute. A loose ball found its way near the Michigan Tech penalty area, and freshman Cassie Bonifas attempted to hold off Davenport player Katherine Steiner so freshman Gracie VanLangevelde could come out and claim the ball. Unfortunately, Steiner arrived before VanLangevelde could dive on the ball, and the Davenport forward took a touch and fired a shot past the MTU defense and into the back of the net.
Davenport's second goal of the game came late in the second half off a counter-attack. Steiner, attacking down the left flank, centered the ball to Holly Bertke and despite being well defended by seniors Flaminio and Anne Fife, she fired a shot from the top of the box past a diving VanLangevelde for the goal.
The third and final goal of the day came off another Davenport counter in the 90th minute as the Huskies were pushing players forward searching for a goal. Allison Luurtsema drove into the Michigan Tech third before passing to Madeleine Zayan to her left, and Zayan chipped the ball over VanLangevelde and into the top right corner of the goal.
The Huskies were limited to seven total shots and just three shots on goal, while the Panthers took 11 shots with nine being on frame. Davenport also held an advantage in corner kicks, winning five to Michigan Tech's one.
Flaminio and sophomore Alicia Shatrau led the team with two shots each, while junior Jesse Jacobusse, junior Brooke Schauer, and Sgambati all finished with one shot apiece. VanLangevelde made six saves for the Huskies, while Samantha Beckles made three saves for the Panthers.
"Our kids played hard. They went out there and did a lot of the things we asked them to do and they did them really well," said head coach Michelle Jacob. "Unfortunately they also did some things not so well. We have to continue to work hard and try to get better."
The Huskies will play again on Sunday (Oct. 20) at noon against No. 3 Grand Valley State (10-1, 3-0 GLIAC). The defending GLIAC champions and national runner-up in 2018, the Lakers defeated Northern Michigan 5-0 on Friday.
