Goals by Yeager and Pietila lift Tech soccer to win against Davenport

HOUGHTON — An offensive uproar from the Michigan Tech soccer team was no match for visiting Davenport as the Huskies down the Panthers, 2-0 at Kearly Stadium, on Sunday afternoon.

The Black and Gold moved to 4-6-3 on the season with a GLIAC ledger of 2-4-3 while Davenport fell to 3-6-4 and 2-4-3 in the conference standings.

“When we start to press collectively and aggressively we can keep the ball higher up the field and that gives us more goal-scoring opportunities,” coach Bulut Ozturk said. “It’s always great to get another shutout and we take a lot of pride in that. We’re right back in the hunt and we’re still fighting and there is a lot more work to do. We’ll get back to work on Tuesday and get ready for two more home matches.”

The Huskies were aggressive offensively to start the game and never looked back, tallying 20 shots, landing 12 on target, highlighted by goals from senior Stephanie Yeager and sophomore Julia Pietila.

Yeager’s goal came in the 29th minute coming off a free kick set well into the Panthers’ box. Cassie Bonifas passed the ball back to Yeager who fired a shot from the left side of the net, pinballing through Davenport defenders before finding the low left corner of the net.

The Huskies amassed 10 shots with five landing on target through the first half, while also holding an advantage in corner kicks, garnering three.

Matching those numbers in the second half, MTU posted another 45 minutes of 10 shots fired, again having five on the net, to go with an additional three corner kicks.

Pietila, concluding the match with six shots on goal, tying her game-high this season tallied three shots on net with multiple chances before finally finding the back of the net in the 78th minute.

Following a free kick from Bonifas, Pietila was in the right place and the right time being feet from the net on the left side, connecting with the ball mid-air with her right foot, passing the Panthers goalkeeper and finding the left corner of the net to put the nail in the coffin and give the Huskies a 2-0 with less than 12 minutes remaining.

The goal marked the first of the season for the Hartland, Michigan native.

Defensively, the Huskies’ backline was sound, helping senior goalkeeper Gracie VanLangevelde earn her sixth shutout of the year, making five saves.

Tech Soccer falls to No. 6 Grand Valley State on Friday

HOUGHTON — The Huskies fell 2-0 to No. 6 Grand Valley State in front of a record-setting 758 fans at Kearly Stadium on Friday night.

The matchup was the third consecutive top-25 opponent the Huskies have faced, most recently tying with then No. 22 Northern Michigan (Sept. 25) and losing 1-0 to No. 7 Grand Valley State (Sept. 25).

“They are defending national champions and are on a hot streak right now,” Ozturk said. “Our women fought hard the entire match, there is always the belief and that collective defending.

“We felt like we had a 12th man with the pep band coming out and there was a lot of love and support from the community and its great for our women to feel that love and get that kind of support and they were a little disappointed to not give them the result for the fans but we left it all out and as a coach that’s all you can ask for.”

The Lakers (9-1-2, 7-0-1 GLIAC) held an advantage in shots and corner kicks, firing fire shots with two landing on target to go with three corner kicks.

However, the Huskies stellar defensive efforts kept MTU in the game through the first 45 minutes, with multiple free kicks and corner kicks being safely moved away from the Black and Gold’s goal.

After heading into halftime scoreless, the Lakers came out of halftime with more physical offensive play.

Grand Valley State posted three shots, with one landing on target before getting passed the Huskies goalkeeper in the 57th minute. Sophia Morgan kindled the offense, crossing the ball from the right side finding Mackenzie Jones on the left side of the box to punch the ball in.

The Lakers tallied four more shots before capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the Huskies in the 89th minute, posting the second goal of the match, coming from Taylor Reid to ensure the victory.

The best chance offensively for the Black & Gold came two minutes after freshman Alyvia Sanom checked into the game, heading a cross from the right side that was too high to find the back of the net, but brought the crowd excitement with the effort.

Of note, Grand Valley State had 14 shots, with six shots on goal, while also holding command in corner kicks with 11 for the game.

Senior goalkeeper Gracie VanLangevelde finished with six saves in net for MTU.

The Huskies return to action on Sunday, welcoming Davenport to Kearly Stadium at noon.

Up next

The Huskies complete the four-game homestand next week hosting Parkside Friday (Oct. 14) at 7 p.m. and Purdue Northwest Sunday (Oct. 16) at noon.