Wildcats unbeaten streak reaches six
HOUGHTON, Mich. – The NMU women’s soccer team went up to Houghton and shut out the Huskies on its home turf, walking away with a 2-0 victory.
Brooke Pietila scored a screamer from a free-kick 40 yards out to open the scoring in the final minutes of the first half, giving the ‘Cats a 1-0 lead into the break. Caitlyn Trombley and Molly Pistorius combined to get Justina L’Esperance her GLIAC-leading sixth goal of the season, and Sally Patton made four saves to earn her fifth shutout of the season.
The Wildcats improved its unbeaten streak to six games, going 5-0-1 in that stretch with only one goal allowed in that frame.
NMU has only conceded two or more goals once this season, the 1-2 loss to St. Cloud 10 games ago.
The ‘Cats are now 8-1-2 in its last 11 against the Huskies and are 3-0-1 in its last four games at Houghton.
The Wildcats picked up a crucial victory this weekend with only one game on the schedule, improving to 7-2-2 overall and 5-1-1 in conference play.
Cat Nips
- Pietila scored her fifth goal of the season and now has four goals in her last six contests
- L’Esperance scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season and continues her torrid pace with three goals and nine points her last three games
- Molly Pistorius earned her third assist of the season and fifth point in her previous three games
- Patton earned her fifth shutout of the season, making four saves in her effort
- Along with Patton, Hannah Kastamo, Maria Storm, Kenna Alexander, and Irene Kiilunen all played the full 90. Pietila was taken off in the final two minutes, playing 88.
- The ‘Cats outshot the Huskies 13-4 with nine on target to four
- The Wildcats improved its unbeaten streak to six games, going 5-0-1 in that stretch with only one goal allowed in that frame
- NMU has gone nine games without conceding two or more goals. The only time that happened this season was a 1-2 loss to St. Cloud
- The ‘Cats are now 8-1-2 in its last 11 and are 3-0-1 in its last four games at Houghton
How It Happened
Just three minutes into the match, L’Esperance received a great service ball from Pistorius as she came barreling into the 18-yard box. Justina, first-time, took a shot that beat the keeper’s hand but hit the crossbar and stayed out.
Pietila received a beautiful through ball from Biblia, and the Wildcat number five was in behind the defense. Brooke was able to get a touch toward the goal, but the offsides flag was up, and nothing would have come from the play had she scored.
The Wildcats had a golden opportunity with under 10 minutes to play in the opening half, as Daavettila found a ball at her feet in the six-yard box, but a Husky defender got a foot on her shot before making a clear.
It was in the 41st minute when the ‘Cats were able to break the scoreless tie, as Pietila was fouled hard and earned a free kick from a yellow card. From 40 yards out, Pietila struck one well toward goal that fooled the keeper and gave the ‘Cats a lead before the half.
The Wildcats doubled the lead fifteen minutes into the half. A terrific press from Trombley caused a Husky defender to turn the ball over, and the deflection landed on the foot of Pistorius, who found herself on a two-on-one break with L’Esperance. Molly slid the ball to Justina, who was one-on-one with the keeper and made no mistake to beat the last line of defense, who came aggressively off her line to cut down the angle.
The Wildcats would go on to hold onto its two-goal lead and headed home with a 2-0 win from Houghton.
Up Next
With only one game this weekend, the Wildcats are off until Friday, October 18, when the team travels to Ferris State before heading to Davenport for Sunday.