Michigan Tech soccer falls at No. 7 Grand Valley State

ALLENDALE, Mich. — The Michigan Tech women’s soccer team were unable to pull off the upset at No. 7 Grand Valley State, falling 1-0 in Allendale, Michigan on Sunday afternoon.

“We had a game plan that required everyone to defend as a team,” head coach Bulut Ozturk said. “I thought we did a great job today in how we defended. On the flip side, we had a few chances that we couldn’t capitalize on. But we continue to look for solutions on the offensive end.

“We are going to go home, regroup and get ready for our rival match against NMU next week.”

Michigan Tech (3-5-2, 1-3-2 GLIAC) totaled six shots compared to 17 from Grand Valley State (7-1-2, 5-0-1 GLIAC) in the defensive battle.

Taylor Reid scored her sixth goal of the season in the 51st minute game-winner, coming off a cross by Kennedy Metzger, allowing Reid to find the back of the net in front of the goal.

The contest would be a tale of two halves, with rainfall and wind making it difficult for both teams to create offense.

Senior goalkeeper Gracie VanLangevelde made five stops in the first half, totaling a season-high eight saves for the game. Help from the Huskies backline made the majority of the saves for the Spring Lake native, fairly easy recovers.

Offensively, MTU had a chance in the 28th minute when Julia Pietila advanced the ball to Alicia Shatrau within the box, however, the Lakers defense was able to break up the play.

Minutes later, Stephanie Yeager got a chance at the net after the Lakers gave the ball up in their zone allowing Yeager to take a shot from about 20 yards out, meeting the goalkeeper in front of the left goalpost. 

The Huskies had a great defensive effort with eight minutes remaining in the first half as Kennedy Bearden got around VanLangevelde on the left side of the net, with her shot winding up in front of the right post before being picked up by Michigan Tech’s keeper. 

The second half of the game showed more calm weather despite the field being wet from the rain earlier in the match. 

Better conditions made the opportunities offensively become more available. The Lakers took offensive advantages early in the second, with Taylor Reid finding the back of the net off a cross by teammate Kennedy Metzger.

The one goal deficit sparked the Huskies with Kiersen Korienek earning a ball in midfield off a lasp by the Lakers, allowing Korienek to get a shot on goal, low and to the left, swallowed up by goalkeeper Kendall Robertson.

Alyvia Sanom along with Makenna Sanom and Mia van Der Heide played minutes in the ladder stages of the match, however, the Huskies would not find the back of the net.

Senior Neve Badalow saved the Black & Gold twice in the game, being in front of the net to block two shots that would’ve otherwise made for goals.

No. 7 nationally-ranked Grand Valley State held the advantage in corner kicks, 9-3.

The Huskies travel 100 miles down U.S. 41 for a tilt against No. 23 Northern Michigan on Friday, slated for a 7 p.m. start time.

Huskies earn scoreless draw at Davenport

CALEDONIA, Mich. — The Michigan Tech women’s soccer team played to a stalemate against Davenport on Friday afternoon. The Huskies are now 3-4-2 overall with a GLIAC ledger of 1-2-2, the Panthers move to 3-3-3 with a record of 2-1-2 in conference play.

“Another hard match,” head coach Bulut Ozturk said. “Our team maintained possession very well today and worked extremely hard to find the back of the net. We definitely had chances to score.

We will continue to work together and look for solutions. Overall, I am happy with the team’s performance and I thought a tie was a fair result.”

The Huskies outshot the Panthers 3-0 through 45 minutes. By the conclusion of the match, Michigan Tech held a 4-3 advantage in shots, with both teams landing two shots on target.

Despite the physical play throughout the entirety of the contest, the Huskies backline stood rock solid. Senior Alicia Shatrau, known for her defensive efforts, had opportunities on the offensive side of the field, helping the Black & Gold on the attack.

In the 27th minute, MTU had a chance at a goal, after a shot by senior Stephanie Yeager landed in front of the net with a chance for a putaway by Julia Pietila, only to be swallowed up by the Panthers goalkeeper moments later.

The Black & Gold held a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks, Yeager and Pietila were the lone Huskies to accrue shots on target.

With the tie, senior goalkeeper Gracie VanLangevelde now has four shutouts to her name on the year. The Spring lake, Michigan, native had few threats on the day, making two saves to earn the clean sheet.