HAMMOND, Ind. — The Michigan Tech soccer team wrapped up the opening weekend of GLIAC play with a 1-0 win at Purdue University Northwest Sunday morning. The Huskies broke through for the game winner in the 54th minute after a scoreless first half of play.
“I’m proud of our effort today to get a win on the road,” Michigan Tech head coach Michelle Jacob said. “I thought we played better as the game went on and possessed the ball more effectively in the second half which helped setup our scoring opportunities. I also thought Andrea Zubke, Rachel Wall, Kassity Swanson, Jamie Brisson, Taylor Archibald and all our midfielders and defenders did a great job keeping their offense in check. We also appreciate Purdue Northwest being proactive in moving the match to earlier in the day due to the heat conditions and in order to keep all the players safe.”
Michigan Tech (4-4, 1-1 GLIAC) dominated the match both offensively and defensively, outshooting Purdue Northwest (0-6, 0-2 GLIAC) 17-3 over the course of 90 minutes. Goalie Lucie Ashmore singlehandedly kept the Pride within one score by posting 10 saves.

The Huskies went to work right away on the attack with senior Taylor Archibald taking the first shot of the match 12 seconds in. Her blast nearly gave Tech the lead, but it ricocheted off the post and away from the net.

Freshmen Emily Zeitunian, Leah Goldman, andBrooke Schauer along with sophomore Jamie Brisson all had shots on goal within a four-minute span early in the first half. However, Ashmore was able to deflect each one and keep the game scoreless all the way to intermission. She ended up making six of her saves in the first 45 minutes of the contest.

The match didn’t stay scoreless for long though as Tech would strike in the opening moments of the second half. Senior Sarah Boyd would break the deadlock with her second goal of the 2017 season. It would also prove to be her second game winning kick after securing her first in the season opener at Winona State.

Zeitunian played the ball up the field with a perfect pass and found Boyd in open space for the shot attempt. Zeitunian was credited with her team leading third assist of the 2017 season, which also gives her a team best five points. She scored her first goal of the year on Friday at Davenport.

With a goal in hand, the Huskies continued to keep the pressure on and attempt to extend the lead with multiple shots as the second half played out. Meanwhile, the Huskies’ defense kept the Pride out of the attacking third for the majority of the contest. Purdue Northwest ended up getting only three shots airborne, with none needing to be saved by senior goalie Kirsen Hudak.

Boyd powered the Huskies’ offense with three shots on goal, including the game winner in the 54thminute. Freshman Jesse Jacobusse, Goldman, Schauer, Archibald, and junior Rachel Wall all took two shots apiece. Zeitunian had one shot on goal and the assist on Boyd’s goal in the second half. As a team, the Huskies had the advantage in shot attempts (17-3) and corner kicks (4-0).

Hudak played all 90 minutes in front of the net to pick up her third win and second shutout of the season.

Shelby Ross, Breanna Hamilton, and Maddie Revercomb each tallied a shot for Purdue Northwest on Sunday. Ashmore finished the contest with 10 saves while logging all 90 minutes in front of the net.

The Huskies will be back in action next weekend when they travel to Saginaw Valley State and Northwood for two more GLIAC contests. Tech takes on SVSU at 12 p.m. Friday and then faces Northwood at 12 p.m. on Sunday.