North Michigan News

Northern Michigan University (NMU) athletics had a successful weekend from November 12 to November 17, marked by notable performances and achievements across various sports.

On Tuesday, the women's soccer team secured a decisive 5-0 victory over Michigan Tech University in the GLIAC Quarterfinals. Justina L'Esperance scored two goals, while Madison Bilbia contributed with one goal and one assist. Brooke Pietila added two assists and played her record-setting 94th match as a Wildcat.

The women's soccer team also received several postseason awards on Thursday. Brooke Pietila was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year and made the All-GLIAC First Team. Hannah Kastamo earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year honors and joined Pietila on the First Team. Sally Patton was recognized as GLIAC Freshman of the Year and placed on the All-GLIAC Second Team. Jon Sandoval was named GLIAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. Other first-team honorees included Justina L'Esperance, Molly Pistorius, and Maria Storm, while Angelina Perritano received an honorable mention.

In men's soccer, Alessandro Scialanga and Tommaso Lami were named to the All-GLIAC First Team, with Quint Van Roij receiving an honorable mention.

Friday saw another win for women's soccer as they defeated Davenport 4-1 in the GLIAC Semifinals. Key players included Brooke Pietila and Madison Bilbia with one goal each, along with Molly Pistorius who provided two assists.

The women's basketball team triumphed over Minnesota Crookston with an 85-69 victory in their home opener at Vandament Arena. Jacy Weisbrod led with 26 points, hitting six out of nine three-pointers. Sarah Newcomer added 17 points, while CJ Romero dished out seven assists.

NMU's volleyball team won against Lake Superior State University (LSSU) in straight sets: 25-14, 25-20, and 25-9. Jacqueline Smith delivered a standout performance with 13 kills and ten aces.

However, NMU's hockey team faced a setback with a 3-0 loss to No.16 Minnesota State despite holding them to just 23 shots—their second-fewest single-game total all season. Grayden Slipec and Jakub Altrichter led NMU in shots.

Saturday's events included a football loss to Wayne State University (WSU), ending their season with a score of 14-30 despite outgaining WSU on the ground. Mitch Larkin scored his first career touchdown during this game.

Women's basketball continued their success by defeating Bemidji State 80-51, highlighted by Jacy Weisbrod scoring 27 points.

Volleyball concluded their regular season with another straight-set win over Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), finishing third seed for postseason play.

Men's basketball edged Illinois Springfield in an intense game that ended with Julien Smith's three-point buzzer-beater securing an 85-83 win.

Wrestling suffered a heavy defeat against Grand Valley State University (GVSU), but Ozioma Ogu achieved victory by fall in his class.

In hockey action against Minnesota State again on Saturday night resulted in a tie followed by winning via shootout thanks to Jakub Altrichter’s decisive shot; Ryan Ouellette made crucial saves throughout both regulation time & shootouts earning him recognition alongside Will Diamond scoring his first collegiate goal plus Brendan Poshak marking his initial point contribution too!

Sunday concluded successfully when women’s soccer clinched back-to-back GLIAC championships beating SVSU convincingly at three-nil ensuring dominance throughout entire tournament scoring twelve goals altogether awaiting NCAA selection show broadcasted freely online determining next opponent within national competition soon thereafter anticipated eagerly henceforth undoubtedly deservedly so indeed!