Huskies Tabbed Fifth In GLIAC Preseason Soccer Poll
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer program has been tabbed to finish fifth in the GLIAC Preseason coaches' poll, the league office announced Tuesday (Aug. 23). Grand Valley State took the top spot with 49 points and six first place votes. Ferris State was behind the Lakers with 42 points. Saginaw Valley State claimed the third spot with 35 points, with Northern Michigan taking fourth with 30 points. The Huskies were close behind in fifth with 29 points.
The Huskies return 19 while adding nine newcomers to play their first season for Michigan Tech. Head coach Bulut Ozturk returns for his third season after going 12-7 overall and 9-5 within the conference last season. Michigan Tech netted 33 goals in 19 games, averaging 13.6 shots per game.
Julia Pietila returns for her sophomore season after leading the Huskies with seven goals in her freshman campaign, also tallying an assist. The Hartland, Michigan, native accounted for 17 shots, including one game-winning goal.
Senior Stephanie Yeager, who was tabbed All-GLIAC Second Team last season, led the team with 18 points, accounting for five goals and eight assists. She returns as tops in the conference in assists per game (0.42) where she finished last season ranked 24th nationally. Of her five goals, three were game-winning goals.
Other All-GLIAC performers returning for the Huskies include Molly Bolang (All-GLIAC Second Team) and Alicia Shatrau (All-GLIAC Honorable Mention).
Bolang, a defender from Pickney, Michigan, returns for her junior season. She started every game for the Huskies a year ago, was a critical component on the back line, and played a big role in the 10 shutouts recorded by the Black and Gold last season.
Shatrau, a senior defender from Brighton, Michigan, started all but one game for the Huskies and was another valuable piece in the Huskies defensive success last season.
Michigan Tech also returns goalkeeper Gracie VanLangevelde, who recorded 34 total saves seeing action over 11 games, starting seven while producing three shutouts.
The Huskies went 8-2 at home last season. They start the regular season on the road traveling to Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. Their 14-game conference schedule starts on Friday, Sept. 9 at Purdue Northwest slated for a 2 p.m. start.
2022 GLIAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
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1 Grand Valley State |
49 (6) |
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2 Ferris State |
42 (1) |
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3 Saginaw Valley State |
35 |
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4 Northern Michigan |
30 |
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5 Michigan Tech |
29 |
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6 Davenport |
19 |
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7 Parkside |
13 |
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8 Purdue Northwest |
7 |
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