Tech Soccer Falls Short To NMU in Final Regular Season Contest
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech Soccer team fell to Northern Michigan in the final regular season contest 1-0 as a bout of bad luck left the Huskies scoreless in front of a Senior Day crowd, in Houghton on Friday night.
"We did really well in the first half," head coach Bulut Ozturk said. "The performance was absolutely excellent in the first half. We made adjustments quickly and I felt that Northern Michigan was pretty fortunate that we didn't find the back of the net in the first half."
The Huskies (7-8-3, 5-6-3 GLIAC) came out red-hot offensively in front of a home crowd of over 500 fans, firing six shots in just over 20 minutes of play, with multiple attempts quality enough to etch the first goal of the game.
In the 15th minute, freshman Alyiva Sanom placed a shot from outside the box that sailed high with the potential to find the back of the net, however, the crossbar stopped the ball and put it back into play.
Five minutes later, sophomore Julia Pietila hit the side post to mark the second time the goal would play defense against the Huskies in the first 20 minutes.
In total, the Black & Gold held a 7-2 advantage in shots, accounting for five shots on goal in the first 24 minutes of play.
Following the two biggest goal chances of the night, the Huskies' offensive frenzy went cold as the Wildcats moved onto the attack in the 30th minute.
Following a deflection in the defensive zone, Northern Michigan's freshman Hannah Kastamo found the loose ball and put it in the back of the net to give the visitor's a 1-0 advantage.
The second half showed little offense from either team as both teams only accounted for one shot apiece, both coming within the first five minutes of the half.
"In the final eight minutes we had two center backs because we wanted to go for it," Ozturk added. "This group is battle-tested and we now have to travel to Ferris State and anyone can beat anyone in the GLIAC."
Of note, Michigan Tech held an advantage in shots, nine to seven, as well as shots on goal (6-4) to go with three corner kicks to the Wildcats' one.
Goalkeeper Gracie VanLangevelde made three saves, while offensively, Sanom led the Huskies with two shots on goal.
The Huskies return to action in the first round of the GLIAC tournament, traveling to Ferris State on Tuesday, November 1, for a 1 p.m. start time.
