Ferris State Soccer Falls to Northern Michigan To Kick Off Weekend Trip In Upper Peninsula

Marquette, Mich. – The Ferris State University women's soccer team suffered a 2-1 setback to the Northern Michigan University Wildcats Friday (Oct. 3) in a battle of two top teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

The Bulldogs (2-2-4, 2-1-1 GLIAC) entered the afternoon third place in the GLIAC, just ahead of the Wildcats (3-3-3, 3-2-0 GLIAC) in the standings. FSU was able to take a 1-0 lead midway through the second half with a goal from Bella Vallone, but the Wildcats scored two late goals and claimed a victory.

Neither team scored in the first half. FSU had three shots on goal and NMU tested FSU goalkeeper Korinne Ihrke twice, but she made both saves. The Bulldogs attempted six corner kicks compared to one for the Wildcats. Katherine Welch, Isabella Baron and Vallone each had one shot on frame in the first half.

Vallone gave FSU a 1-0 lead at 61:42 with her first goal of the year. The Bulldogs had a corner kick opportunity that Grace Sampson kicked into the box and Vallone headed past NMU goalkeeper Carly Sides for the goal. Vallone collected her first points of the campaign and Sampson registered her first assist.

NMU scored off a corner kick of their own at 80:54. Hannah Kastamo found the back of the net and tied the game 1-1 while Gretchen Ellis collected an assist.

The Wildcats took the lead at 85:09. Madison Bilbia sent a pass into the box for Kastamo and she beat Ihrke to the lower right corner for her second goal of the game, giving NMU a 2-1 edge.

FSU was unable to find a late goal and suffered its first defeat in conference play this season.

For the game, Ihrke made six saves and Sides made five. Kastamo scored both goals for NMU while Vallone registered her fourth collegiate goal. She now has exactly one goal in each of her four seasons.

The Bulldogs had six shots on goal, 10 corner kicks, four fouls and received three yellow cards. The Wildcats had eight shots on goal, three corner kicks and eight fouls.

Individually, Baron led the way with three shots on goal and Vallone had two. Welch finished the contest with one shot on target while Vallone led the team with five total shot attempts. Vallone, Baron, Ella Wolf and Lauren McCaul each played all 90 minutes.

The Bulldogs will wrap up their weekend trip to the Upper Peninsula Sunday (Oct. 5) against Michigan Tech. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (ET) with live coverage provided on FloCollege.