Huskies un able to protect early lead
HAMMOND, Ind. – For the second consecutive game, the Michigan Tech soccer team scored first but allowed two goals in the second half, falling to Purdue Northwest 2-1 at Dowling Park in Hammond, Indiana, on Friday.
Michigan Tech (3-3-0, 1-2-0 GLIAC) got on the board first in the 26th minute, with sophomore midfielder Ryley Winrich netting her first career goal assisted by junior defender Grace Hoeppner. Purdue Northwest (5-0-1, 2-0-0 GLIAC) is now on a four-game win-streak, earning goals from Emma Carter in the 54th minute and the eventual game-winner by freshman Rokaya Ajami in the 61st minute.
“Today PNW took advantage of the opportunities they received and we didn’t. We failed to give the proper attention to the little details it takes to win a game in this conference,” Tech soccer coach Melissa Kuhar said. “As a coaching staff and team, we have to find a way to get the best out of our group and be able to produce the quality soccer that it takes to win games. The games keep coming and we will work to get better.”
The Huskies got plenty of looks at the net in the opening period, with senior forward Taylor Noble producing a team-high three shots with a shot from the left side of the goal in the sixth minute swallowed up by the Pride’s goalkeeper. She also recorded a shot from a similar spot in the 17th minute after regaining a give-and-go by Allison Millina, with the attempt this time sailing over the net.
The Pride had the best look at the net early as Yoselin Garcia earned a through ball fired just to the right of the goal in the 14th minute.
MTU produced four corner kicks in six minutes before breaking through in the 26th minute, with Hoeppner finding Winrich on the farside deep into the Pride’s box to make it 1-0.
Michigan Tech controlled the first 45 minutes with a 7-2 advantage in shots, a 5-1 edge in corner kicks and a 1-0 lead.
Emma Carter tied the game for PNW in the 54th minute after tracking a loose ball at the corner of the Huskies box, beating her defender and using the left foot to find the top right corner of the goal and make it 1-all.
Purdue Northwest took the lead minutes later off a free kick, which resulted in traffic deep in the Huskies zone, resulting in the go-ahead goal by Rokaya Ajami in the 61st minute.
The Huskies had three shots down the stretch but could not find the equalizer, as Purdue Northwest earned its first win against Michigan Tech in program history.
Taylor Noble had a team-leading five shots as Bri Barrows made two saves in net for the Huskies.
Emma Carter recorded a team-high two shots for the Pride while Meta Fischer made three stops.
Up Next
The Huskies conclude the first GLIAC road weekend of the season on Sunday against first-year member Roosevelt at 1 p.m.
