Jordan Nobler scores first Tech goal
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Senior midfielder Jordan Noble scored her first career goal while goalkeeper Bri Barrows recorded a career-high in saves to help Michigan Tech earn the 1-0 decision over Purdue Northwest at Kearly Stadium on Friday.
“It was a well-fought battle and we got onto the board kind of early and just rode out some of the waves,” Tech head coach Melissa Kuhar said. “We knew it would be a game of transitions and statistically they had a lot of shots towards the end of the game. Overall I think we had a lot of good chances and to be able to score a goal and win is great. With Senior Day coming up it’s awesome to have a senior score and it was awesome for Jordan to get her first career goal at Tech.”
Michigan Tech evens the season series with the Pride at 1-1 for an overall record of 5-8 and a GLIAC ledger of 3-7. Purdue Northwest falls to 6-2-5 overall and 3-2-4 in the loop.
The Huskies had urgency in the first period, holding Purdue Northwest to one shot while piling on five shots toward the Pride’s goal. Additionally, the Black & Gold held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks, with the third of the half translating into the first career goal for Jordan Noble, with the assist going to Grace Hoeppner from the corner. Noble headed the ball perfectly from the far side of the goal, hopping over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the 20th minute of action.
“The energy of the whole team was great and I had people coming up to me telling me I was going to score today, so it was a great combination for a full team effort and I’m glad we could make it happen,” Jordan Noble mentioned. “The defense played really well and communicated well all game. Bri came up with a bunch of different saves at the end.”
Hoeppner now leads the team with three assists this year.
The Pride upped the offense output in the second half, producing 10 shots, with eight reaching the target. However, Michigan Tech continued to have early momentum in the second half as Julia Pietila took three strikes at the Pride’s goal from the 60th minute to the 67th, two of her shots were uncontested, with one sailing over the net and the other to the left of the PNW’s goalkeeper.
Bri Barrows faced seven shots in the final 12 minutes of action, with four massive saves with under four minutes to play to sustain the one-goal lead and start the final home weekend on the right foot with a 1-0 victory.
Pietila recorded a team-leading three shots with one on target, while Olivia Gette recorded two shots on goal.
Barrows made a career-high eight stops en route to her third shutout of the season.
Rokaya Ajami had a team-leading three shots on goal as goalkeeper Meta Fischer made six stops.
Up Next
The Huskies conclude play at home for the regular season on Sunday, welcoming Roosevelt to Kearly Stadium for Senior Day, slated for a noon start.
