Lorens scores for Wildcats
MARQUETTE, Mich. – In a non-conference competition to open the 2025 season, the Northern Michigan University Wildcats faced off against the St. Cloud State Huskies. Both teams tallied late in the second half, and the clash would end in a 1-1 draw.
Similar to the men’s game yesterday, the ever-changing Upper Peninsula weather was a factor; temperatures in the low 50s, wind gusts in the mid-20 miles per hour, on-and-off rain, and the sun hiding behind clouds made playing conditions near Lake Superior a little more challenging for the two sides.
After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, Huskies defender Grace Olson struck first from a free-kick just north of 20 minutes into the second frame. Not ten minutes later, Marquette, Michigan native and Marquette Senior High School standout, Isabella Lorens, scored to secure a draw for the Green and Gold. In her first appearance in a Wildcats shirt, Lily Senese set up Lorens’ goal to earn her first-career Wildcat point.
Along with Senese, four other student-athletes made their NMU debut; freshmen Gretchen Ellis and Addison Frantti earned spots in the starting eleven, while fellow freshmen Christina Roberts and Madi Bonsall both made appearances.
Jillian Thompson made five saves from six on target, marking her first start between the pipes since September 7, 2024. Four others played the full 90 minutes alongside the goalkeeper, those being Hannah Kastamo, Irene Kiilunen, Addison Wargo, and Alyse Daavettila. Both Ellis and captain Kenna Alexander took brief breathers towards the end of the game before subbing back on, logging 85 and 80 minutes of play, respectively.
The counting stats were nearly even, as both teams had 10 shots, with the Huskies recording six on frame to the ‘Cats five. NMU held the corner advantage 6-4.
Today’s game replay can be found on FloSports.
How It Happened
In an intense first half of the game, both teams had a few great opportunities to find the back of the net, but the half ultimately ended scoreless.
The ‘Cats had the game’s first great opportunity from a corner kick. Alexander sent a curling ball into the box that found the foot of Kastamo just outside of the keeper’s box, but the Huskies’ goalkeeper, Jaylee Strickland, took away space and cut the angle off the keep the ‘Cats scoreless.
Thompson had an impressive opening half, as all five of her saves came during the opening 45 minutes. With five minutes left in the half, Thompson made a breathtaking save; diving to her left, Thompson stopped the ball with an outstretched left hand to keep the Huskies from scoring.
Immediately following a Wildcat yellow card, Olson stepped over a free-kick that was halfway between the Wildcat touch line and the halfway line. With wind at her back, Olson took a chance at goal, and the strike took a deflection off Thompson’s fingertips and into the upper region of the goal, giving the Huskies the lead with 23 minutes to play.
Less than 10 minutes later, Ellis forced a turnover, and Madison Bilbia sprang Senese on the counterattack down the left-hand side. A left-footed cross into the box proved tricky for the goalkeeper to corral, and Lorens was there to find the loose ball and tap into the back of the net, tying the game at one apiece with 14 minutes to play.
Both teams had action back and forth, but the game would ultimately end in a 1-1 draw.
Up Next
The Wildcats round out opening weekend at home, hosting Minnesota Duluth at noon on Sunday, September 7.
