PREVIEW: Huskies Close Home Schedule with Ashland and Saginaw Valley State
vs. Ashland (Oct. 25): Stats | Video
vs. Saginaw Valley State (Oct. 27): Stats | Video
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team closes out its home schedule with a pair of tough GLIAC contests as the Huskies play Ashland on Friday (Oct. 25) at 7 p.m. before facing Saginaw Valley State on Senior Day this Sunday (Oct. 27) at noon.
In the midst of a five-match losing streak, the Huskies sit 3-7-1 overall and 0-4 against GLIAC competition following a pair of 3-0 defeats to Davenport and No. 3 Grand Valley State. Tech currently holds the No. 8 seed in the eight-team GLIAC Tournament, ahead of Northern Michigan (3-9, 0-4 GLIAC) and Purdue Northwest (1-11-1, 0-6 GLIAC) with five games still to go.
Leading the Huskies into the final home games of the season is sophomore Gabby Sgambati with four goals and an assist on the year for nine points, while junior Jesse Jacobusse has produced two goals and an assist for five points while creating problems for opposing defenses with her speed and well-timed runs. Junior Amanda Young and freshman Gracie VanLangevelde have split time between the posts this season, with Young making seven starts and 25 saves while VanLangevelde has made 22 saves in four starts. As a team, the Huskies rank sixth in totals goals scored (16) and Goals For Average (1.45), and defensively they stand fifth in total goals allowed (19) and fifth in Goals Against Average (1.67).
Ashland (10-1-1, 4-0 GLIAC) is on a run of seven consecutive matches with a victory and is currently ranked 14th in the country in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division II poll. The Eagles possess one of the top defenses in the conference, allowing just one goal in four conference games and nine goals all year. Ashland's top scoring threat will be Faith Lewis with 12 points on five goals and two assists, along with Deijah Swihart and her five goals. Hannah Lee looks to be the primary goalkeeper for the Eagles in 2019, with nine starts and 828 minutes played and a GAA of just 0.54.
Losing two of the last three matches entering the weekend, Saginaw Valley State (6-5, 3-1 GLIAC) has been one of the top-scoring teams against GLIAC opponents with 12 goals scored to just two goals allowed. Jennifer Muana is the current leading scorer for the team, scoring three times and assisting once for seven points, while Allison Sims has directly contributed to six Cardinal goals this season. In goal, Saginaw Valley State has rotated between Alyssa Watts and Ally Gaunt, with Watts starting seven matches and recording 23 saves a 0.90 GAA, and Gaunt making 12 saves and a 0.90 GAA in four starts and two appearances off the bench.
Friday's match will begin at 7 p.m., while Sunday's contest will kick off at noon following the honoring of seven graduating Michigan Tech players. Friday's match will also coincide with the "Huskies Lend a Paw to Big Brothers Big Sisters Game," where proceeds on an online auction of special t-shirts worn during warm-ups will go directly towards Big Brothers Big Sisters-UP Kids. To place a bid, click here and leave a comment with shirt number and the amount you wish to bid.