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Offensive burst in second half lifts Michigan Tech past St. Cloud State

Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech The Black and Gold found offensive chances in the 53rd minute and the 69th minute to solidify victory

A strong offensive showing over the middle portion of the second half of play was enough for the Michigan Tech women’s soccer team to move past St. Cloud State, 2-0, on Saturday (Aug.27) in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

The Huskies of Michigan Tech move to 1-1 while the Huskies of St. Cloud State fall to 0-2 in the early season.

“It was very nice to see the quick turnaround from our young women from Thursday night’s heartbreak loss,” head coach Bulut Ozturk said. “This is a group that has amazing team chemistry and it showed again today in the second half.

“It was nice to get Haley back in the starting lineup and see her hit today’s game winner after missing the Duluth match. Also a shoutout to our two twins (Alyvia and Makenna) who partnered up today to get the second goal to kill the game off.”

The Black & Gold found offensive chances in the 53rd minute and the 69th minute to solidify the victory.

Haley Ruiter scored her first goal of the season with a through pass from Taylor Noble in the midfield allowed Ruiter to challenge SCSU’s goalkeeper with a shot low to the right corner just inside the box, finding the back of the net.

In the 63rd minute, freshmen Alyvia Sanom and Makenna Sanom checked in for the Black & Gold for the first time in their early careers.

Six minutes later, both players would also earn their first points as Huskies. Makenna made a cross from the left side of the offensive zone finding Alyvia streaking through the middle of the field and firing a shot that would make it into the right corner of the net, making it 2-0 in favor of MTU.

Following the second goal from Michigan Tech, the game returned to its earlier stages with a lot of play in the neutral zone without much offense being created.

The first 45 minutes proved to be a physical half for the two Husky teams, both looking to find their first win of the season.

The Black & Gold had the best look early, with Hailey Ruiter beating her defender and delivering a shot just wide of the lower right corner in the 10th minute.

In total, Michigan Tech accrued five shots, with Alicia Shatrau making some hustle plays in the latter half of the first half, getting the offense on the attack.

A shot from the right side of the box forced St. Cloud’s goalkeeper to make a diving save to protect the bottom right corner of the goal in the 31st minute.

St. Cloud had three shots through 45 minutes with only one shot on goal, giving goalkeeper Gracie Vanlangevelde little trouble, even with the wind to her face.

Vanlangevelde earned a shutout, recording three saves over 90 minutes. Offensively, the Black & Gold took eight shots with three shots on goal.

“Credit to our backline and Gracie for the shutout,” Ozturk added. “I am extremely happy with our collective effort this weekend. We look forward to getting back to work at home to get ready for next week’s home matches.”

In total, three Huskies earned the first points of their Michigan Tech careers, with Noble earning an assist, Makenna earning an assist and Alyvia scoring a goal.

Michigan Tech returns to action on Friday, hosting nonconference opponent Minnesota Crookston, then welcoming NSIC foe Bemidji State on Sunday. Thursday’s game is slated for a 7 p.m. start, while the contest against the Beavers will be at noon.

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