Huskies soccer stays home trying still searching for first win
Michigan Tech hosts Roosevelt, Purdue Northwest
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HOUGHTON -- For 25 minutes Sunday, the Michigan Tech Huskies soccer team held their own with the Northern Michigan Wildcats. Then, in 38 seconds, everything changed.
The Wildcats struck twice, and from there, the Huskies struggled to find offense.
"The first, say 25 minutes, we dominated possession," said Huskies coach Melissa Kuhar. "We created things in the attack. It’s just trying to bottle that and replicate it for the full 90. The two dagger goals that Northern scored in those 38 seconds crushed that momentum we had.
"We have to try to bottle up just that 25 minutes. We’ve had a glimpse of that all year. It’s just now putting it all together. That’s kind of been the struggle, putting that 90 minutes together."
The Huskies can point to the first half of their game at home against Saginaw Valley State Friday, Sept. 11, as proof they can do it for 45 minutes. They outshot Roosevelt 33-8, Sunday, Sept. 20. So, they are capable, it's just a matter of putting the whole package together.
Of course, scoring some goals would help as well. The Huskies have just two all season, and one of them was an own goal by the opponent.
"They need to be selfish," Kuhar said. "They have to just kind of take that, the demand of the ball, put it in the back of the net, and be selfish about it. They’re too nice sometimes, and they try that extra pass."
That's been an on-going discussion for Kuhar and her staff with the team for most of the season.
"We’ve talked about it at practice," she said. "It’s just getting them to have that confidence in shooting. It’s kind of that combo of be selfish, have confidence in yourself, just do it, and the ball’s going to go in if you shoot. You just have to keep shooting. We need some selfish players sometimes."
That's not to say there aren't bright spots amongst the offensive struggles. Freshman forward AK Puryear is one name that comes to mind. The first-year player has settled into a more midfield role at outside back, and she has taken the task and run with it. Puryear has nine shots on goal, which is tied for sixth most, despite playing more of a defensive role.
Another player who has stepped up in a huge way, according to Kuhar, has been senior defender Havanah Brockington. Brockington played in one game as a freshman before losing two full seasons to injuries.
"AK has been awesome back there," said Kuhar. "Havanah, this is the first year she’s getting to play. Havanah’s really done a lot for us. (Sophie) Rater's having a great year. Our midfield in general, just all of them have elevated with the bumps and bruises we’ve had in there. "They’ve definitely done what they need. We have had a lot of, I would say our younger players, have all kind of stepped in. Natalie (Miller) came in and played awesome for those 40 minutes after Bri (Barrows) got hurt. So, all the players have elevated now."
Barrows was hurt on a play in the second half of Sunday's game against the Wildcats and had to come off the field.
"For what happened, she’s doing good," Kuhar said. "I haven’t seen her in person, just some pictures. She has a gnarly black eye, and a big cut. But, she should hopefully be able to get back into practice midweek. We’re kind of being a little cautious with it. When you get that many stitches in your head, just trying to play it kind of safe and get her back in. For the hit she took, she’s pretty strong."
Scouting the Lakers
The Roosevelt Lakers are 1-7-3 overall and 1-5-1 in GLIAC play after falling 1-0 to Ferris State Friday and 6-0 to No. 11 Grand Valley State Sunday. The Lakers and Huskies met in Arlington Heights, Illinois, earlier this season, with the teams playing to a 1-1 draw.
Junior midfielder Bella Perry leads the Lakers in scoring with three goals and six points. Junior forward Aaliyah Xiomara Leanos is the only other Lakers player with more than one goal.
Freshman Kaylee Sarnicola has taken over the goalkeeping duties. She has started all 11 games with a 2.28 goals against average and a .769 save percentage.
Scouting the Lions
The Purdue Northwest Lions are 4-5-2 overall and 2-4-1 in GLIAC play after losing to Saginaw Valley State Sunday, 3-2.
Junior forward Mia Davis is having a great season. She leads the Lions in scoring with six goals and 14 points in 11 games. Sophomore forward Sophia Carbone and senior midfielder Natasha Tanner both have three goals and eight points. Senior midfielder Nayla Pena has three goals and seven points.
Senior goalkeeper Meta Fischer has been strong in net. She has started all 11 games, sports a 1.29 goals against average, and she has a .778 save percentage.
Game times
The Huskies and Lakers square off Friday at 6 p.m. at Kearly Stadium in Houghton. The Huskies and Lions will battle Sunday at 12 p.m.