Two goals in final ten minutes
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Wildcats won in dramatic fashion today, scoring a pair of goals inside the final ten minutes to lift the team to a 2-1 win over Ferris State.
After a scoreless first hour of play, the Wildcats (3-3-3, 3-2-0 GLIAC) went down 1-0 after Ferris State converted from a set piece. After NMU kept pressing, the ‘Cats would flip this game on its head, as Hannah Kastamo scored a pair of goals just four minutes apart within the final moments of the match, earning a critical three points. NMU also maintained its unbeaten streak, moving to 7-0-1 against Ferris in the last eight games.
The ‘Cats got assists from Gretchen Ellis and Madison Bilbia, and goalkeeper Carly Sides made five saves for her second win in as many games. Along with Sides and Ellis, the Wildcats got full 90-minute performances from defenders Addison Wargo and Irene Kiilunen, and a solid shift from Kenna Alexander (87). Head coach Erin Egolf used five substitutions today, with Madi Bonsall (41) getting a substantial amount of play time from the bench.
The Bulldogs (2-2-4, 2-1-1 GLIAC) opened the scoring thanks to Bella Vallone’s first tally of the season, finishing off a nice set-piece play an hour into the match. This result snaps a six-game unbeaten streak for Ferris State, and only the second time this season the Bulldogs have conceded two goals.
Grace Sampson added an assist to go along with her two goals on the season, giving the senior defender five points in as many games played. Goalkeeper Ihrke Korinne made six saves, the second most this season.
The shot totals were very comparable today, with Ferris recording 13 with six on target to the ‘Cats 12 with eight on target. The Bulldogs held a wide advantage in corner kicks (10-3), NMU recorded eight fouls to FSU’s four, and Annie Hartley, Maurine Schneider, and Haley Buckman were all booked with yellow cards. The Bulldogs had a slight possession advantage (51%-49%); when in possession, Ferris State was in the Wildcats half 68% of the time compared the the Wildcats 58% in Bulldog territory.
NMU now has its sights set on Sunday, another crucial GLIAC match against Saginaw Valley.
‘Cat Nips
- Kastamo’s brace starts an exciting point streak, as the senior now has three goals and an assist in her last two games.
- This marks Kastamo’s third-career multi-goal game, and first since September 2, 2023.
- Kastamo has now scored the game-winning goal in back-to-back games for the second time in her career. Kastamo now has nine career game-winning goals, tying Paula Hafner (2013-2016) for fourth-most in program history.
- Ellis recorded her team-leading third assist, aiding on the tying goal. The freshman midfielder now has two goal contributions in as many games, and three assists in her last five.
- Bilbia tallied her first assist of the season. The explosive forward also added to her team-leading shots and shots on goal, recording five shots with two on target.
- The last time Ferris scored first in a match between these two sides came on October 4, 2019, in Big Rapids. The last time the Wildcats conceded first at home against the Bulldogs was one game prior, on September 23, 2018.
- This result marked the second time in program history that the Wildcats have come back to win after trailing the Bulldogs.
- The only other instance came on October 1, 2005, also a 2-1 decision.
How It Happened
The Bulldogs got the game’s first pair of chances, coming just two minutes into the game. Ava Fuller drove her way deep into the Wildcat zone and drew a foul from just outside of the box, giving the Bulldogs a free-kick from just outside the box. The free kick was perfectly placed, and Vallone was able to get a solid header on target. Sides made a great reactionary move in the box, moving to her left, and made the save to keep the game scoreless.
Sides had to remain sharp, as the Bulldogs worked its way down field for another dangerous chance minutes later. Ferris worked the ball into the Wildcat box before a pass was slid to Isabella Barron at the top of the area. Barron struck the ball well with her left foot, forcing Sides to make an acrobatic dive to her left to keep the Bulldogs off the board.
Bilbia gained control of the ball at the halfway mark of the first period, just on the Bulldog side of the field. She moved smoothly up the field, beating a handful of Bulldog defenders, and finding her way at the top of the penalty box. Bilbia struck the ball well with her right foot, but it sailed just north of the crossbar.
A free kick from Kiilunen in the Wildcats’ own half started another offensive chance. Alyse Daavettila settled the ball and passed it back to Kastamo, who played a waist-high cross into Bilbia at the back post. Bilbia made a low diving attack at the ball, but her header attempt just missed the post, and the game would end scoreless going into halftime.
The Bulldogs had over six corner kicks compared to the Wildcats’ single. NMU had five shots on target, while Ferris had six. It was a physical first half, as there were two yellow cards handed out to Ferris to go with six total fouls. NMU had four of those six fouls that were committed during the first half alone.
Daavetilla forced a Bulldog turnover just over the halfway line, and the ‘Cats had a quality counter-attack chance to open the second half. Kastamo drove toward the box and slid a pass to Addison Frantti, who caught up to the ball near the right edge of the penalty area. Frantti had a look toward goal, but her right-footed strike just missed to the outside.
Ferris State’s Annie Hartley played a cross-field pass to Baron, who made a good run before firing a shot attempt from outside the penalty box. Sides made the save from the kick, diving up and to her right to get her hand on the ball before it hit the crossbar.
Ferris opened the scoring an hour into the contest, converting off a set piece. Grace Sampson stepped over the Bulldogs’ eighth corner kick and sent a curling ball into the box, finding the head of Vallone, who got a good header on the ball and directed it over the head of Sides.
Bilbia corralled the ball to the left of the penalty area, where she used some very fancy footwork to beat a pair of defenders and work into the area. Bilbia struck the ball toward the bottom left corner, but her shot was saved by Bulldog goalie Korinne Ihrke.
Bilbia had another quality look at goal minutes later, and again, Ihrke made a dive to her right to keep the ball out. On the ensuing corner kick, Ellis was able to deliver the ball perfectly to the back post to find the foot of Kastamo, who converted for the first Wildcat goal of the day.
After tying the Bulldogs with ten minutes to play, the Wildcats took the lead just four minutes later. Bilbia played a perfect ball over the heads of Bulldog defenders to Kastamo, who was able to collect the ball and settle it, leaving her one-on-one with the keeper. Kastamo used her left foot from in tight, and beat the keeper to the far side.
Up Next
NMU stays at home, facing off against Saginaw Valley on Sunday. Kick-off is set for noon at the NMU Soccer Field.
