he SVSU women’s soccer team split their northern road trip with Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech. The team’s record stands at 4-2 on the season.
On Friday, Sept. 15, the team won in thrilling fashion against Northern Michigan. Sophomore midfielder Valentina Giambanco scored in double overtime (107th minute) to put the Cardinals on top 3-2.
The goal was Giambanco’s second of the day on six shots, four on goal. Giambanco’s goal came after she outran the defender and curled the shot into the far post.
Head coach Michael O’Neill praised the team’s determination in the long run.
“We showed great fight and determination in overtime,” O’Neill said. “Physically, we were extremely fatigued, so it was togetherness that got us through.”
After the game, senior defender Ingrid Hannevig remarked that the defense, though thin, should improve in the coming weeks.
“Defensively, we’ve conceived more goals than I think we should so far,” Hannevig said. “We faced some adversity with both Jennifer [Muana] and Briana [Bishop] being injured. Alexis [Hilliard] and Lindsay [Stroebel] did a good job adjusting to different positions. If there is one thing that is a key for our defensive success, it is communication and having a good connection in the back. Having all three starting center backs being returners really helped us with that aspect of the game.”
Junior defender Amanda Minissale scored her first collegiate goal in the 27th minute of play. The goal was assisted by Giambanco.
Sophomore forward Whitney Fleming had four shots, one on goal, as the Lady Cardinals outshot Northern Michigan 22-7.
Hannevig felt that the team had more opportunities and performed better than the scoreboard reflected.
“We were able to dominate the game from the beginning,” Hannevig said. “[We] had a lot of possession, and girls were working hard off the ball to create combinations and opportunities in the final third. I definitely think we should’ve been able to settle the game earlier and not make it such a close game, but we were able to pull through and get the win.”
The team traveled to Michigan Tech for Sunday’s bout, which resulted in a 2-1 loss in double overtime.
Giambanco scored in the 20th minute of the game, topping off a three-goal weekend. The goal was assisted by sophomore defender Molly Vanderhoff, her second of the season. Giambanco has four goals on the year.
The Huskies answered with a goal in the 75th minute after a cross deflected off a SVSU defender, setting up an easy shot for Tech.
The Cardinals outshot Tech 14-9 during regulation but failed to record a shot in the second overtime. Michigan Tech started off overtime on the offensive, outshooting SVSU 3-1 in the first period and only needing one shot in the second overtime.
Tech scored 47 seconds into the second overtime period with a far shot that went over Bauer’s head.
Bauer’s goalkeeper record dropped to 4-2 on the season as she recorded three saves and two goals allowed.
The team heads on the road for the second weekend in a row as they travel to Grand Valley State, an opponent they have not beaten in over a decade, on Friday, Sept. 22, for a 7 p.m. start time. The team will continue GLIAC play at Ferris State on Sunday, Sept. 24, at noon.
