The SVSU women’s soccer team dropped a pair of games this weekend to Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan.
On Sunday, the Cardinals lost 2-1 to Michigan Tech. SVSU was behind early on, as Tech got on the board in the seventh minute of the game.
Trailing 2-0 in the second half, junior Ashley Henderson got the Cards on the board in the 71st minute. That would be all the offense would muster, as Tech would hold on for the win.
The Lady Cardinals suffered a 2-0 loss on Friday to No. 5 Northern Michigan University.
Both teams battled in a tough environment against strong wind and rain.
“It was also a very physical and scrappy game,” Henderson said. “Games in the GLIAC are scrappy. It comes down to who wants it more, toughness and character.”
On Friday afternoon, Northern Michigan proved to be the tougher team.
The game got off on the wrong foot when NMU junior Paula Hafner connected with the back of the net on a corner kick in the sixth minute.
The Cardinals would give up three more corner kicks and one more goal, also by Hafner, in the 71st minute to seal the shutout.
Despite the outcome of the game, it was an even matchup. Both teams shared possession of the ball, with NMU outnumbering SVSU’s shots only by two (10-8, respectively) and both teams with four shots on goal.
The battle between the Wildcats and the Cardinals was also a scrappy one, with 11 fouls being called throughout the game.
Neither team was going to give up the game easily.
The defining difference between the teams, however, was Northern Michigan’s ability to capitalize and score when they needed to.
“We made minor mistakes, and they capitalized and scored on their chances and we did not,” Henderson said. “We had opportunities and chances in front of the net.”
Next weekend marks the last of conference play for the Cardinals.
The team is looking forward to a run at the GLIAC tournament, but it is going to be a close decision.
The losses dropped SVSU to ninth in the GLIAC with a 3-8 record and a 5-10 record overall.
The GLIAC takes eight teams into postseason play, and SVSU’s current place ranking has them teetering on the edge.
In order to secure a spot, they will have to win out and also rely on the results of other GLIAC contests.
“We just have to take care of our business to give ourselves a chance,” said head coach Michael O’Neill.
The Cardinals will take the field again at Northwood at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30th, for their final game in regular season conference play.
