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Gabriel’s big save lifts Huskies to 1-0 win

David Archambeau/For the Gazette Michigan Tech’s Mackenzie Scholz (23), Neve Badalow (3), Keighley Blindauer (12), Grace Shaw (4) and Haley Ruiter (28) celebrate after Ruiter scored in the first half of a game against UP-Parkside Friday at Kearly Stadium in Houghton.

HOUGHTON — Erika Gabriel stopped a penalty kick and recorded her fourth shutout to assist the Huskies to a 1-0 home victory over Wisconsin-Parkside Friday afternoon at breezy Kearly Stadium in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference soccer. Forward Haley Ruiter scored the winning goal in the 43rd minute for Michigan Tech off a threaded pass up the middle of the box by Neve Badalow. Tech finished the GLIAC regular season 5-3-1 and qualified for the conference tournament quarterfinals in head coach Turk Ozturk’s first campaign at the helm.

“Today was a big win for us,” said head coach Turk Ozturk. “Parkside has been in every game this year and they made a difficult match for us.”

Neve Badalow made a run up the right side of the pitch and neatly feathered a through pass up the middle to Ruiter for the game’s only goal just before halftime. Ruiter found it through traffic and beat goalkeeper Mia Guyton.

“Haley is coming along and is a very coachable player who knows what’s expected both on offense and defense,” said Ozturk. “She has a nose for the goal and knows how to score. What a beautiful goal and a run by Neve to set up the game winner today.”

Later, Stephanie Yeager was called for a yellow card inside the box in the 71st minute, giving Samantha Nickel of the Rangers a strong chance to tie the game on a penalty kick. Gabriel dove left and re-directed the low shot with outstretched gloves to the left post to keep Parkside off the scoreboard.

“Erika’s just been on,” Ozturk said. “She’s very comfortable and confident when it comes to PK’s. She has the confidence of her teammates as well. It’s the third penalty that she’s saved and our fourth shutout as a team this spring, which was a team goal we set for this season.”

The Huskies outshot Wisconsin-Parkside 7-4 on goal with 17 total attempts compared to 10. Gabriel made three saves to pick up her fourth clean sheet in six starts. Jesse Jacobusse and Ruiter fired five shots with two on goal apiece. Mackenzie Scholz also posted two shot attempts over 90 minutes. Michigan Tech earned four corner opportunities while Wisconsin-Parkside had three.

Alexis Baker led the Ranger with three shots (two on goal). Mia Guyton played all 90 minutes and made six saves in the loss.

The Huskies (5-3-1) ended their spring with three more conference wins than in 2019. Tech will play Tuesday in the GLIAC quarterfinals. Opponent and the location of the game is yet to be determined. Wisconsin-Parkside fell to 0-7-2 and remained in last place.

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