Huskies soccer looks for a way to build off draw
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HOUGHTON -- It wasn't a perfect weekend by any means, but the Michigan Tech Huskies soccer team earned a draw Sunday against Roosevelt, 1-1, on the road after falling to Wisconsin-Parkside Friday, 2-0. The Huskies battled through as much as they could, and were nearly rewarded for their efforts.
"I think the Parkside game really should have probably only been a 1-0 loss if that," said Huskies coach Melissa Kuhar. "We gave up a goal in transition as we were trying to score at the end. But, overall, played a decent game in that one. (We) didn’t put a full 90 together, but happy with some of the moments we created.
"Roosevelt, (that's) a tough one. Obviously, got a point out of it with the tie, but when you have 33 shots, 17 on goal, and you don’t even actually score, the goal we scored, it was an own goal. It’s a tough one to swallow. It felt more like a loss, at times, just because of our inability to put the ball in the net. But again, very positive, a lot of positives."
Kuhar liked how her team kept putting pressure on. However, one aspect of offense continues to elude them.
"Very good, quality chances we created," she said. "Excited to take that momentum and kind of move forward, but we really have to finish the ball. That’s the big thing."
Kuhar admits that confidence is playing a big part in the Huskies' scoring issues.
"I think it’s a bit of the confidence side, and it’s not for a lack of us doing things at practice," she said. "Where they see the ball go in the back of the net, it’s just kind of, I think, once we get one, the floodgates are going to just absolutely burst open. They have to see it happen.
"I think that’s a big part of it. When you have a goalkeeper, I mean, the Roosevelt goalkeeper played out of her mind, made some saves that were insane, and that helped them. But, we also made her look really good at times. I think it’s like once we can really find the net, confidence is going to skyrocket."
The coach of the Black and Gold admits that she is overly optimistic, but at the same time, she believes her team will figure things out.
"The goals are going to keep happening," she said. "It’s coming. I know I keep saying that, but it’s got to happen soon. Especially when you get that you’re producing that many shots and attacking situations. It’s got to happen soon."
One player who is absolutely knocking on that door is sophomore midfielder Sophie Rater. Rater was attempting a cross in the box Sunday when her pass hit a Lakers defender and into the net.
"We have to get her one," Kuhar said. "I think the floodgates for her will really open. She works hard. She helps produce. She puts her body on the line. It takes her 20 seconds every time to get up off the ground when she gets hit. We’re telling her she’s old, but she’s putting her body on the line, and it’s not for a lack of her creating chances.
"Soon, one’s going to have to trickle in and get her that kind of confidence boost. It’s just like a lot of our other attacking players, they’re really producing things. We just can’t kind of get that final ball to hit the net."
Kuhar also acknowledges that the team is getting frustrated that balls aren't finding the net yet, and she is happy to see the players being willing to stick to the game plan.
"I just had a meeting with a player and we chatted through," said Kuhar. "We’re creating a lot more attack than we did last year. We’re controlling the midfield, which we didn’t do last year. So, I told her you have to see the positives of it in the growth side, which is hard when you’re losing games, to see the positive moments.
"But it’s there, and we’ve moved some people around. We’ve adjusted some things. We’ve tried people in new spots."
Scouting the Cardinals
The Saginaw Valley State Cardinals are 5-3 on the season after a weekend that saw them shut down Davenport, 2-0, before losing to No. 6 Grand Valley State, 2-0. The Cardinals defeated the Huskies on Friday, Sept. 11, 2-0, at Kearly Stadium.
Saginaw Valley is led offensively by freshman forward Melanie Kolnitys, who has three goals and eight points. Sophomore forward Abby Ellis also has three goals, but only one assist for seven points.
Fifth-year keeper Ava Wilberding has started all eight games for the Cardinals. She has goals against average of 0.77. Her save percentage is .818.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Ferris State Bulldogs are 2-3-2 for the season, and 0-2-1 in GLIAC play after tying Grand Valley State Friday, 0-0, but then losing to Purdue Northwest Sunday, 1-0.
Senior forward Haley Buckman has four goals and eight points to lead the way. Freshman forward Avery Bostwick has one goal and four points, tying her with senior forward Katherine Welch, who has two goals and four points.
Junior keeper Korinne Ihrke has played in all seven games for the Cardinals. She sports a 1.08 goals against average and a .682 save percentage.
Game times
The Huskies and Cardinals will battle Friday at 1 p.m. in University Center, Michigan. Sunday, the Huskies and Bulldogs are set to start at 1 p.m. in Big Rapids.