Soccer Powers Past NMU 2-0 on Sunday
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech soccer team powered past Northern Michigan 2-0 on Sunday (Oct. 3). On a rainy and wet day at Kearly Stadium, the Huskies got goals from Grace Shaw and Stephanie Yeager in the second half to claim the victory over their UP rival. The Huskies improved to 6-3 on the season and 3-2 in the GLIAC.
After a rather calm first half in which the Wildcats outshot the Huskies 8-1, the Black and Gold turned up the pressure in half number two. Tech finally broke through in the 61st minute on a corner kick. Grace Shaw was able to get the header to go on a beautiful corner pass from Stephanie Yeager.
"We work on corners a lot and Stephanie played an absolutely beautiful ball," Shaw said of her goal. "We were happy to get the momentum going."
"Taking corner kicks seems like the easiest thing when Grace is your teammate," Yeager said. "All I have to do is get it to her and she will take care of the rest."
A few minutes after the game's first tally, Northern Michigan would get one of their best chances of the game, but Gracie VanLangevelde came up with a big save.
"It was a huge save," Coach Turk Ozturk said. "She was very composed, especially in the wet conditions today. She gave us a lot of confidence and was never rattled."
Stephanie Yeager would get the game's other tally in the 78th minute. After a penalty tripped up Shaw, Yeager took advantage of the penalty kick opportunity and powered one far right past the outstretched goalkeeper.
The Huskies were outshot 19-5 in the game, but finally broke through against a team picked ahead of them in the preseason poll.
"It was huge to finally break through vs. a top opponent," Coach Turk Ozturk said. "We were able to do it on both sides of the ball when we needed it and we were able to get the collective shutout. It gives us the momentum we need to try to achieve the goals we have. This proves to our program that we can aim high and not only compete vs top teams, but get the win."
The Huskies will have a road-home split next weekend. They will head to Ferris State to take on the #11 nationally ranked Bulldogs on Friday. The Bulldogs are 7-1-1 on the season and 4-0-1 in the GLIAC. They are coming off a 2-2 2OT tie at Grand Valley State on Sunday (Oct. 3).
The Black and Gold will be back home for a noon kickoff vs. Parkside on Sunday. The Rangers are 2-6-1 on the season and 0-4-1 in the GLIAC.
