MIDLAND, Mich. - The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer team defeated rival Northwood University 2-0 on Wednesday (Sept. 25) in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) matchup.
The first half proved to be a very even game between the two squads and neither team could produce a quality scoring opportunity. Saginaw Valley edged Northwood in the shots category by a tally of 3-2, but Northwood held the advantage in corner kicks by a mark of 1-0.
The teams would go in to halftime tied, 0-0.
The score stayed knotted until a Northwood foul deep in its own end would prove to be costly. Craig Neal (Bay City, Mich/Western HS) put the ball in the box off of the free kick and Tyler Channell (Troy, Mich. Troy Athens HS) got a head on it, but the NU keeper came up with a great save. Taylor Clarke (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove HS) would get a second chance to head the ball past the out streched goalkeeper and he did just that.
The Cardinals would take the lead by a score of 1-0 with 24 minutes left to play after the Clarke goal.
SVSU would strike again minutes later when a Timberwolf defender was called for a handball in the box. Lachlan Savage would calmly strike the penalty kick low and away past the goalkeeper, giving the Cardinals a game ending 2-0 win.
Saginaw Valley outshot Northwood 13-4 and held the advantage in corner kicks, 4-2.
The Cardinals improve to 5-1-1 overall and 4-0 in the GLIAC after the victory while Northwood falls to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in league play.
SVSU will be back in action Friday (Sept. 27) against the visiting Findlay Oilers. Kickoff is set for 4:30 pm at Braddock Field.
