MIDLAND, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer team earned its first victory of the 2026 season in convincing fashion Sunday afternoon, defeating rival Northwood 4-1 at Dean Soccer Field.
The Cardinals (1-1-0) controlled the match on both sides of the ball from start to finish, outshooting the Timberwolves 29-8 and putting 15 attempts on goal. Four different Cardinals found the back of the net in the victory.
Saginaw Valley opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Emily Kolodin (Grand Blanc, Mich., Grand Blanc HS) set up Alahna Beckett (Midland, Mich., Midland HS), who found the back of the net for her first goal as a Cardinal and a 1-0 advantage.
SVSU continued to apply pressure following the opening goal. Kylie Cesarek (Macomb, Mich., Dakota HS), Melanie Kolnitys (Midland, Mich., H. H. Dow HS), Abby Ellis (Waterford, Mich., Waterford Mott HS) and Beckett all put attempts on target over the next seven minutes, but Northwood goalkeeper Lindsay Jacob kept the deficit at one.
The Timberwolves (0-2-0) took advantage of one of their limited opportunities in the 23rd minute, tying the match at 1-1.
The Cardinals regained the lead less than 10 minutes later. Sophia Swope (Saginaw, Mich., Heritage HS) entered the match in the 21st minute and made an immediate impact, scoring her first career goal in the 33rd minute to give SVSU a 2-1 advantage heading into halftime.
Saginaw Valley held a commanding 16-4 advantage in shots during the opening 45 minutes, including seven attempts on goal.
The Cardinals continued to generate opportunities after the break. Grace Battershell (Rochester Hills, Mich., Adams HS) put an attempt on goal in the 54th minute before Ellis hit the right post less than a minute later.
SVSU's pressure eventually produced its third goal at 61:06. Kolodin picked up her second assist of the afternoon when she connected with Ellis, who scored her first goal of the season to extend the Cardinal lead to 3-1.
The Cardinals continued attacking despite the two-goal advantage, with Battershell and Dezarae Mathis (Hastings, Mich., Hastings HS) forcing three more saves over the next 10 minutes.
Kolnitys put the finishing touches on the victory in the 84th minute. Goalkeeper Ava Wilberding (Grand Rapids, Mich., Forest Hills Central HS) earned her first career assist as Kolnitys netted for her first collegiate goal, pushing the advantage to 4-1.
Saginaw Valley finished with a 29-8 advantage in shots and a 15-4 edge in shots on goal. The Cardinals produced 13 shots in the second half after recording 16 in the first.
Kolnitys led SVSU with six shots, including three on goal, while Beckett, Ellis and Cesarek each recorded three attempts. Battershell and Mathis each put both of their shots on target.
Kolodin finished with two assists to lead the Cardinals with her first two points of the season. Beckett, Swope, Ellis and Kolnitys each scored their first goals of the year.
Wilberding made three saves to earn her first victory as a Cardinal while also recording an assist on the final goal.
Head coach Tyler Channell said this after the match,
"Team was very good today in all facets of the game. That was a NCAA Tournament team last year who will do well again this year. I thought we controlled every area of the game from start to finish. We were able to get four goals from underclassmen today showing our youth and depth in the squad. Very pleased with our defensive unit in transition today to allow our attacking unit a lot of freedom to do what they do best. Great team performance and we look forward to two great GMAC opponents in Walsh and Findlay next weekend."
Up Next: Cardinal women's soccer returns home to finish their non-conference play with two matches next weekend. SVSU hosts Walsh on Friday, September 4 at 1 PM before welcoming Findlay on Sunday, September 6 at 11 AM.
