Final three regular season matches at home
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The NMU women’s soccer team scored a late equalizer to walk away with a 2-2 draw against the Ferris State Bulldogs.
The Wildcats (3-7-5, 3-6-2 GLIAC) opened the scoring thanks to Addison Frantti (3-3–9) scoring a header off a perfect pass from Alyse Daavettila (1-1–3), who picked up her first assist on the season. The Bulldogs (5-4-6, 5-3-3 GLIAC) responded just five minutes later to pull even before gaining the lead just before the end of the half. The Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead into the locker room after outshooting NMU 10-2, with NMU scoring from its only shot on frame.
The Wildcats mounted a comeback in the second half. After being outshot 5-3 in the first half an hour of the second half, NMU fired six shots to FSU’s none, including the tying goal from Madison Bilbia (3-1–7), who finished off a header from a perfectly played corner off the boot of Kenna Alexander (1-2–4). The Wildcats had a great chance to take the lead with under a minute left, as the last action of the game was a save from goalkeeper Korinne Ihrke on Addison Frantti, who had a partial breakaway inside the box.
The Bulldogs outshot the Wildcats 17-11, but only recorded two more on target at seven to five. The Bulldogs had a 10-6 corner advantage, including 6-2 in the first half, before both teams had four in the final frame. NMU was whistled for eight fouls to FSU 10, and Bulldog Maurine Schneider was booked for a yellow card in only eight minutes of playing time.
How It Happened
The Wildcats opened the scoring after Frantti finished off a perfect cross from Daavettila, who played a curling pass from outside the box to find Bilbia on her run.
The Bulldogs got a break to tie the game just five minutes later. Buckman played a header into the box that was intended for a forward who wiffed on the initial shot. While everyone was ready to react to that play, the ball found its way to an unmarked Hartley, who connected well to fire back across the goal.
The Bulldogs converted from a corner kick with just under four minutes to play in the first half. Vallones’ corner found its way into the box, and after taking multiple deflections in and around the goalkeeper area, Leavens was able to find the loose ball and knock it home.
The Wildcats found the equalizer from a set-piece of its own, as Alexander sent in a perfect ball from her corner kick to find the head of Bilbia, who beat the goalkeeper in tight.
The Wildcats had a chance to pull ahead with only seconds remaining on the clock, as Frantti found herself all alone on an abbreviated breakaway. Irhke, realizing the forward had little time, came off her line to cut down the angle and made a critical save to earn her team a point.
Up Next
The ‘Cats are at home for two of its final three games of the regular season, starting with Roosevelt on Friday, October 31, followed by Parkside on Sunday, November 2.
