Huskies Cap Weekend with 2-0 Shutout
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tiffin (3-14-0, 1-9-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Michigan Tech (10-3-2, 6-2-2) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team secured a 2-0 shutout victory in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference play Sunday afternoon over Tiffin University at Sherman Field. The Huskies notched a goal in each half and by virtue of the win clinched a home game in the upcoming GLIAC tournament. Tech is also guaranteed at least the number three seed and is still in contention for second place in the final regular season standings.
"We controlled most of the play and ended up with 37 shots and two goals so we created a lot of opportunities," Michigan Tech Head Coach Michelle Jacob said. "The second goal came late because we were unable to put away some of our early shots that we had, but we got it done. The girls played well defensively and were really strong, plus I thought they distributed the ball really well to get it forward. This was a great team effort and a nice bounce back from Friday."
Tiffin (3-14-0, 1-9-0 GLIAC) had an initial surge on offense in the opening seconds of the first half as Tech junior goalie Kirsen Hudak would make her only save of the match at the 18 second mark. Sierra Besecker struck the ball from about 30-yards out and Hudak was there for the stop.
Michigan Tech (10-3-2, 6-2-2 GLIAC) then controlled the ball in the attacking third for the remainder of the afternoon. Senior Jaci Mielke unloaded the first shot on goal for the Huskies, forcing Tiffin goalie Samantha Ortenzi to make the first of 16 saves. Ortenzi came into the match with a GLIAC best 141 saves on the season.
The intense pressure by the Huskies offense eventually forced a breakdown on defense by the Dragons in the 33rd minute. A Tiffin foul in the box led to a penalty kick opportunity for junior Taylor Archibald and she delivered by tucking the ball into the corner of the net for a 1-0 Tech lead. It was Archibald's third goal of the season and would go in the books as her second game winning kick of the 2016 campaign.
The Huskies would have to wait until the 85th minute for their second goal of the match, after firing multiple shots that just missed or were saved by Ortenzi. Freshman Alex Vasile came through with the insurance tally when she tapped the ball past Ortenzi into corner of the net. Vasile had worked her way through the middle of the Tiffin defense and sophomore Maddy Shortt saw her from the right side of the field. Shortt threaded the ball on to the foot of Vasile to earn her second assist of the season. The goal by Vasile was her second this year.
Mielke led all player with 12 shots and seven of them had to be saved by Ortenzi. The goal scorers, Archibald and Vasile, each had four attempts at the net on Sunday. As a team, the Huskies dominated on offense, outshooting Tiffin 37-4 in addition to a 12-0 advantage in corner kicks. Hudak played all 90 minutes to pick up the win, moving her record to 10-3-2. It was also the eighth shutout for the Huskies this year.
Adrianna Currie had two of the four shots on the day for the Dragons to lead their offense. Ortenzi spent all 90 minutes in front of the net and logged 16 saves.
Michigan Tech will now face rival Northern Michigan in the final regular season match Friday at Sherman Field. Northern Michigan tied Ashland on Sunday 0-0, leaving the Huskies and the Eagles tied for second in the GLIAC standings going into the final game. The Wildcats are in the hunt for a playoff spot after entering Sunday tied for seventh with Walsh in the standings.
"We have to step up for this next game," Jacob added. "Northern Michigan is playing very inspired and making it difficult for teams. We have to come out and play our best game and be ready for it."
Friday's match will also be Senior Day for Michigan Tech with a 5 p.m. kickoff on the docket.
