UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer team fell 4-1 to Northern Michigan on Senior Day Sunday afternoon at Robert C. Braddock Field.
The Cardinals (6-4-0, 4-2-0 GLIAC) conceded three times in the opening 26 minutes before Isla MacGregor (London, Ontario, Oakridge Secondary School) scored the first goal of her career to cut into the deficit. SVSU controlled much of the second half offensively but was unable to complete the comeback.
Northern Michigan opened the scoring in the 15th minute and doubled its advantage just over three minutes later. The Wildcats added another in the 26th minute to take a 3-0 lead.
Saginaw Valley responded in the 31st minute. Emily Kolodin (Grand Blanc, Mich., Grand Blanc HS) set up MacGregor, who found the back of the net to make it 3-1. Kolodin nearly added another moments later, putting a shot on goal that was saved.
The Cardinals came out aggressively after halftime and outshot Northern Michigan 12-2 over the final 45 minutes. SVSU generated five corner kicks in the second half and put seven shots on goal but could not cut further into the deficit. Saginaw Valley had two opportunities cleared off the line by defenders with Lauryn Fracassi (Grandville, Mich., Grandville) and Dezarae Mathis (Hastings, Mich., Hastings HS) both nearly finding the back of the net while down a pair.
Fracassi put two shots on target during the second-half push, while Melanie Kolnitys (Midland, Mich., H. H. Dow HS), AvaLee Pomper (Richmond, Mich., Memphis Junior/Senior HS), and Abby Ellis (Waterford, Mich., Waterford Mott HS) each generated chances on goal. MacGregor also forced a save in the 76th minute.
Northern Michigan added the final goal in the 89th minute as Addison Frantti completed the hat trick.
SVSU finished with a 16-11 advantage in shots, including a 9-5 edge in shots on goal, and held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks. MacGregor led the Cardinals with three shots and two on goal, while Fracassi also recorded three attempts with two on target.
Up Next: Cardinal women's soccer stays at home and welcomes Parkside on Friday, October 2 before heading to Purdue Northwest on Sunday, October 4. Kickoff on Friday is set for 12 PM at Robert C. Braddock Field with kickoff on Sunday scheduled for 1 PM at Dowling Park in Hammond, Indiana.
