Jon Sandoval Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
Jon Sandoval Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team concluded their season with a 2-1 loss to the Maryville Saints in the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship. The match, held on Friday, saw all three goals scored in the final four minutes.
The game remained scoreless until the 86th minute when Maryville broke through with a goal following a scramble in the box. A minute later, they doubled their lead with a counter-attack. Gwen Kiilunen scored for NMU off a Stephanie Trujillo corner kick with just 30 seconds remaining, but it was not enough to change the outcome.
NMU finished their season with a record of 16-2-4, tying for the most wins in program history. They also secured both the GLIAC Regular Season and Post Season Championships for the first time. The Wildcats ended their regular season ranked eighth nationally, marking their highest-ever ranking.
Senior defender Gwen Kiilunen scored her first career goal as a Wildcat during this match. Stephanie Trujillo provided her sixth assist of the season. The Wildcats outshot Maryville 14-8 and had more shots on target and corner kicks than their opponents.
In an intense first half, both teams created opportunities but went into halftime without scoring. NMU had more possession and shots on target during this period. In the second half, Maryville hit the crossbar before eventually breaking through late in the game.
Maryville's Ashlyne Hunt scored from a corner kick to take a 1-0 lead before another quick goal put them ahead by two. Despite Kiilunen's late goal for NMU, Maryville secured victory.
This match marked NMU's first home loss since September 17, 2021.
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