MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer team completed a perfect trip through the Upper Peninsula with a 2-0 victory over No. 22 Northern Michigan on Sunday afternoon at the NMU Soccer Field.
The Cardinals (4-2-0, 2-0-0 GLIAC) scored twice in the second half while Ava Wilberding (Grand Rapids, Mich., Forest Hills Central HS) made four saves to record her second consecutive shutout. The victory marked SVSU's first road win over Northern Michigan and its first sweep of the Upper Peninsula road trip since 2019.
Saginaw Valley leaves the U.P. with six points in the GLIAC standings after two top-tier defensive efforts to earn two clean sheets.
The two sides played an even opening 45 minutes, with SVSU holding a 10-8 advantage in shots. Northern Michigan put two attempts on goal, but Wilberding stopped both to send the match into halftime scoreless.
The Cardinals broke through in the 60th minute. Jaidyn Veldhouse (Grandville, Mich., Calvin Christian HS) found the back of the net off assists from Kylie Cesarek (Macomb, Mich., Dakota HS) and Emily Kolodin (Grand Blanc, Mich., Grand Blanc HS), giving SVSU a 1-0 lead.
SVSU needed just over six minutes to double its advantage.
Emma Bradley (Clarkston, Mich., Clarkston HS) in the 66th minute after entering the match as a substitute six minutes earlier. Cali Schwartzenberger (Canton, Mich., Salem HS) and Veldhouse picked up the assists as Bradley netted her first goal of the season to make it 2-0.
Northern Michigan continued to push for a response, but Wilberding stopped shots in the 76th minute and helped the Cardinal defense keep the Wildcats off the board the rest of the way.
Saginaw Valley finished with a 16-15 edge in shots and put six attempts on goal compared to four for Northern Michigan. The Cardinals also held a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Wilberding played all 90 minutes and made four saves for her second straight individual clean sheet. After shutting out Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan on the road, SVSU has not allowed a goal over its last 180 minutes.
Head coach Tyler Channell had this to say after the ranked victory,
"Very please to be heading home from our UP trip 2-0. It's a very difficult place to travel to and play, so to come home with two wins along with two clean sheets is a big boost for us. Northern was a quality side who made it difficult throughout the entire game. We were able to score two fantastic goals and defend everything they threw at us. Great weekend for the program and we look forward to a great test again next weekend against Davenport and Grand Valley."
Up Next: Cardinal women's soccer heads to Davenport on Friday, September 18 for a 12 PM kickoff at Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex. Afterwards, they take on No. 5 Grand Valley State at home on Sunday, September 20 at 1 PM.
