BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer team fell 2-0 on the road against Ferris State in GLIAC action Thursday afternoon.
The Cardinals (8-6-1, 6-4-1 GLIAC) generated plenty of opportunities throughout the match, finishing with a 23-15 advantage in shots and putting 10 attempts on goal. SVSU also held a 10-7 edge in corner kicks.
Saginaw Valley controlled much of the early action. Emily Kolodin (Grand Blanc, Mich., Grand Blanc HS) headed an attempt wide in the ninth minute before Kylie Cesarek (Macomb, Mich., Dakota HS) forced a save at 12:40. The Cardinals continued to pressure the Bulldog defense and nearly opened the scoring in the 31st minute when Grace Battershell (Rochester Hills, Mich., Adams HS) struck the post. Cesarek followed 17 seconds later with another shot on goal before Battershell forced a save of her own.
Ferris State broke through against the run of play in the 39th minute to take a 1-0 lead. SVSU continued pushing before halftime, with Cali Schwartzenberger (Canton, Mich., Salem HS) and Lauryn Fracassi (Grandville, Mich., Grandville) each putting shots on target, but the Cardinals entered the break trailing by one despite holding a 10-5 advantage in shots.
The Cardinals again came out on the attack in the second half. Abby Ellis (Waterford, Mich., Waterford Mott HS) forced a save in the 54th minute before Ferris State doubled its advantage at 56:00 to make it 2-0.
SVSU continued creating chances while searching for a way back into the match. Battershell had an attempt saved in the 61st minute, followed by shots on goal from Jaidyn Veldhouse (Grandville, Mich., Calvin Christian HS), Romina McGuire (Rochester Hills, Mich., Rochester HS), and Schwartzenberger over a span of just over two minutes. The Cardinals later generated three consecutive attempts in the 79th and 80th minutes, but the Bulldog defense kept SVSU off the scoreboard.
Battershell led Saginaw Valley with five shots, including two on goal, while Melanie Kolnitys (Midland, Mich., H. H. Dow HS) finished with four attempts. Cesarek recorded three shots with two on target, and Schwartzenberger also put both of her attempts on goal.
Ava Wilberding (Grand Rapids, Mich., Forest Hills Central HS) made three saves in goal for the Cardinals. SVSU finished with 13 shots in the second half and 23 for the match, but Ferris State goalkeeper Korinne Ihrke stopped all 10 Cardinal attempts on goal.
Up Next: Cardinal women's soccer more than a week off before their next match. SVSU welcomes Wayne State to Robert C. Braddock for their first meeting in University Center on Sunday, October 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM.
