Huskies Drop 2-1 OT Decision to Saginaw Valley State Play Video
Posted: Oct 27, 2019

Huskies Drop 2-1 OT Decision to Saginaw Valley State

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team was defeated 2-1 in overtime against Saginaw Valley State in GLIAC play on Sunday (Oct. 27) afternoon from Sherman Field at Kearly Stadium. With, the Huskies slip to 3-9-1 overall and 0-6 in the conference with three games left in the season.

"It's always disappointing to lose in overtime," said head coach Michelle Jacob. "I was really proud of the team, we fought our way back into the game."

Trailing 1-0 in the 72nd minute, freshman Cassie Bonifas stole the ball from the Saginaw Valley State (8-5, 5-1) player and sprung a 3v2 counter-attack for the Huskies. Sprinting down the right wing, Bonifas sent a low cross into the box for a charging Jesse Jacobusse, and the junior beat her defender and tapped the ball past the Cardinal goalkeeper for the equalizing goal.

"Cassie did a great job to beat her player, and then to place it perfectly for Jesse in front of goal," said Jacob of her team's tying goal. "Jesse did a great job to run in from the weak side and put it home for us was a really positive moment."

In the first overtime period, Saginaw Valley State's Molly Vanderhoff took a shot on goal that forced junior Amanda Young into a diving save, but the ball rebounded to a sprinting Sarah Fredrick, who finished just out of reach of Young for the winning goal in the 92nd minute.

The Cardinals got on the board early in the first half as Valentina Giambanco drove at the MTU backline from the left wing before passing to an open Sakura Bals in the center of the box. Bals fired her shot before the defense was able to mark her, and Bals beat Young top right for the opening goal in the third minute.

Michigan Tech finished today's match with 14 shots to 17 for Saginaw Valley State, and six shots on goal to their opponent's nine. The Cardinals fouled Michigan Tech 16 times while the Huskies only committed seven. The Cardinals were also able to generate 10 corner kicks against six for the Huskies.

Young was big in net today with seven saves, including four in the second half. Freshman Neve Badalow and sophomore Stephanie Yeager led the team with three total shots each, while Jacobusse, Badalow, sophomore Emily Zeitunian, junior Brooke Schauer, sophomore Gabby Sgambati, and junior Mackenzie Scholz all had shots on goal against Saginaw Valley State.

Alyssa Watts got the win today for Saginaw Valley State with five saves on six shots faced. The Cardinals were tagged for three yellow cards in today's contest; one for Whitney Fleming towards the end of the first half, one for Jennifer Muana in the 56th minute, and one for head coach Michael O'Neill in the 83rd minute.

The Huskies will hit the road for their final three games of the 2019 season. Tech will face Parkside on Friday (Nov. 1) at noon. The teams previously played on September 29 with the Rangers (5-9-1, 0-5-1 GLIAC) coming away with a 2-1 victory over hosts Michigan Tech.