Wildcats had only two shots on goal
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The NMU women’s soccer team dropped its GLIAC home-opener by a score of 4-0 to the No. 3 Grand Valley State Lakers.
The Wildcats (1-3-3, 1-2-0 GLIAC) saw 24 student-athletes take the pitch today, including debuts from freshmen Sophia Pietila, Mia Jonas, Caroline Wellnitz, and Mia Clemence. Goalkeeper Carly Sides started for the second consecutive game, making a career high 11 saves, the most by a Wildcat keeper since Brianna Frontuto made 11 stops in a 5-0 loss to Grand Valley on October 18, 2025.
The No. 3 Lakers (5-1-0, 2-0-0 GLIAC) got goals from four student-athletes to go along with goalkeeper Macie Hunter’s second consecutive shutout, stopping both of the Wildcat shots that found the frame.
It was an explosive first half from GVSU, as the Lakers scored three goals in ten minutes around the half-hour mark of the match. Goals from Mackenzie Ford, Ivy Wilhelm, and Kacy Lauer saw the Lakers take a 3-0 lead into the half.
After being awarded a penalty kick, Sarah Fromm added the final tally of the game, and the score would eventually finish 4-0 in favor of Grand Valley.
The third-best team in the nation and top team in the Midwest region flexed its offensive muscles today, outshooting the Wildcats 27-6, with 15 on target to two, and producing 12 corner kicks to NMU’s two, all of those numbers being season-highs for Grand Valley.
How It Happened
The Lakers were awarded a free-kick just inside the Wildcat half. Ford struck it well, as it was just under the crossbar and with pace as it hit the frame. Sides went up to corral it, but couldn’t hold on, as it hit her hands before hitting the grass and falling behind for a goal.
GVSU then got back-to-back corner kicks about three minutes later, and after not converting on the first chance, the Lakers converted on the second opportunity from the opposite corner. A high curling delivery from Morgan found Dennison in the box, who directed a pass to Wilhelm. Wilhelm took a hit first-time, beating the keeper in the bottom left.
With seven and a half minutes remaining, the Lakers would convert on another set piece, starting from the same corner as the second goal. A ball was played into the box before it rattled around and landed on a Wildcat boot. The defender went to clear, but it took a deflection and landed on the head of Lauer, who extended the lead to three.
The lone goal in the second half came off a penalty kick. Fromm worked her way into the box before drawing a foul, and the referee’s decision was a penalty. Fromm, who drew the original foul, stepped over the ball and hit a right-footed strike that beat Sides to her right side.
Up Next
NMU rounds out the weekend home stand with a match against the Davenport Panthers on Sunday, September 28, at noon.
