PREVIEW: Michigan Tech Opens GLIAC Play on the Road
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech women's soccer team opens conference play on the road this weekend. The Huskies have a tilt with Purdue Northwest on Friday, slated for a 2 p.m. start. The Black & Gold then head to Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a Sunday showdown with Parkside at 1 p.m.
Fans can catch both games on FloSports, as part of the four-year media partnership with the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference beginning this fall.
About the Pride
Purdue Northwest holds a record of 0-3-1 heading into GLIAC play. Last time out, the Pride fell 2-0 to Drury at Dowling Park on Friday (Sept. 2) before traveling to Illinois-Springfield Tuesday (Sept. 6), ending in a 0-0 tie.
Kaci Pampreen has recorded the only goal for Purdue Northwest this season, coming in a 2-1 loss against Lake Erie on August 28.
About the Rangers
Parkside enters the conference portion of their schedule with a record of 3-1, their best start since 2014. Most recently, the Rangers hosted NSIC foes Concordia-St. Paul and Winona State. Friday's clash against CSP went in favor of Parkside, winning 2-0. The Rangers boasted another win on Sunday when Alexis Bolger hit the game-winner in the 10th minute of the first half.
Chloe Grooters earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping the Rangers on the backline, playing 174 of the 180 minutes in the pair of shutout wins against Concordia-St. Paul and Winona State.
Parkside will face Northern Michigan Friday at noon before seeing the Huskies on Sunday.
About the Huskies
Michigan Tech enters the conference play portion of the season with a ledger of 2-2. Most recently, the Huskies split a weekend of home contests. On Friday night (Sept. 2), MTU bested Minnesota Crookston 1-0, with Kiersen Korienek coming off the bench to score the game-winner. Sunday afternoon (Sept. 4), the Huskies welcomed No. 9 Bemidji State to Kearly Stadium, falling just short of victory as the Beavers scored the lone goal in the 20th minute of the first half.
Friday's 1-0 win over Minnesota Crookston marked senior goalkeeper Gracie VanLangevelde's second shutout of the season, marking the sixth of her career.
In Sunday's showdown with No. 9 Bemidji State, the Huskies forced Beaver goalkeeper to make 10 saves. The Black & Gold held advantages in shots (26-5), shots on goal (10-3) and corner kicks (10-2).
One Last Thing
The Huskies have been a pest for opposing defenses this season. The Black & Gold rank 13th in the nation in shots per game (19), to go with 25th in the nation in corner kicks (6.25). Julia Pietila leads the way for MTU averaging 2.75 shots per game, good for fifth among the GLIAC.