Wildcats advance to Semifinals for sixth straight season
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – With big goals from senior leadership and a third-consecutive clean sheet, the #5 Wildcats upset the #4 Ferris State Bulldogs 2-0 to advance to the GLIAC Semifinals.
With the win today, the Wildcats (7-7-5, 6-6-2 GLIAC) advance to the GLIAC semifinals for the sixth consecutive season, and now have the opportunity to appear in the GLIAC Championship for the fourth straight campaign. On the flip side, after ending the regular season 5-0-1 in its final six games, the Bulldogs (8-5-6, 8-3-3 GLIAC) have been bounced from the GLIAC postseason in the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season and have not made it past the GLIAC Semifinals since the Bulldogs’ magical run to the NCAA DII Final Four in 2022.
In a scoreless first half from a cold and windy Big Rapids, the ‘Cats held a 6-5 shot advantage with goalkeeper Jillian Thompson making three saves in the first half en route to a clean sheet. The ‘Cats were close to taking leads on multiple occasions, including Addison Frantti hitting the post, followed by goalkeeper Korinne Ihrke making a spectacular save on Madison Bilbia.
After Hannah Kastamo hit the post just a handful of minutes into the second half, she converted on another chance just a minute later, as the All-American was able to break through the scoreless deadlock. Momentum was really in the Wildcats’ favor now, and the ‘Cats were able to double its lead 20 minutes later, as Kenna Alexander continued her blistering run of form and found the back of the net at the 70-minute mark.
As the final whistle sounded, the Bulldogs held a 16-13 advantage, but it was the ‘Cats who held a 5-4 on-target advantage. The ‘Cats were whistled offside three times to the ‘Dogs one, and Ferris accumulated six corner kicks to Northerns two, a testament to the Wildcat defense.
The Wildcats now await the results of three other matches to determine where and who they play. Regardless, the semifinal match will be held on Friday, November 14, with the final four teams being hosted by the highest remaining seed.
‘Cat Nips
- Kastamo (6-4–16) scored the game-winning goal today, the third of the season for her and the 10th of her career. The senior captain’s career total matches Kari Buckel (2007-10) for third-most in program history.
- Alexander (6-2–14) has now scored goals in five consecutive matches, as the senior captain continues her impressive run of play
- Goalkeeper Thompson earned her third consecutive clean sheet and fifth of the season. Thompson’s 19 career shutouts are two away from matching Kara Music (2006-09) for the program lead in shutouts.
- Frantti (3-4–10) added an assist on the game-winning goal today. Her four assists match Kastamo for the team lead.
- All of the Wildcat starters logged 73 or more minutes in frigid temperatures today, led by ninety minute performances from Thompson, Kastamo, Alexander, Gretchen Ellis, Irene Kiilunen, Ava Buhlman, and Addison Wargo. Alyse Daavettila (87) and Madison Bilbia (85) also turned in impressive shifts.
How It Happened
Thompson was sharp out of the gate in light snowfall and frigid temperatures, highlighted by a great reactionary save off a cross that found the head of an unmarked Katherine Welch on the back post.
Just over half an hour into the contest, Frantti took a hit and sent a blistering shot toward the far side. Her shot beat the Ferris goalkeeper, Ihrke, but the ball rang off the far post. The rebound kicked back into the box, and Ihrke was able to scramble and fall on the ball.
The Wildcats came close to breaking the deadlock, as Bilbia fired a shot toward the upper echelon of the net. Ihrke had to fully extend to get a fingertip on the shot, and the Bulldogs escaped unscathed.
The ‘Cats were inches away from taking the lead just three minutes into the second half, as a dangerous sequence for the Wildcats ended with Kastamo hitting the far side post.
Just a minute later, however, Kastamo was rewarded, as Frantti worked her way into the box and slid a pass to Kastamo, whose shot hit the crossbar and went down into the back of the net, and the ‘Cats had a deserved 1-0 lead early in the second half.
Kastamo thought she scored a brace as she received a pass and beat the goalkeeper, Ihrke, but the near-side official raised his flag, calling Kastamo offside.
The ‘Cats doubled up at the 70-minute mark, as a crossing ball was headed away, but landed on the right foot of Alexander. The attacking midfielder took the ball on the edge of the box and took a hit that found the bottom left corner.
