North Michigan News

The Northern Michigan University Wildcats women's soccer team opened their 2025 season with a 1-1 draw against the St. Cloud State Huskies in Marquette, Michigan. The match, played under challenging weather conditions near Lake Superior, saw both teams score late in the second half.

The game remained scoreless through the first half, despite several opportunities from both sides. Wildcats goalkeeper Jillian Thompson made five saves during the opening 45 minutes, including a notable diving stop to her left just before halftime.

St. Cloud State took the lead about 20 minutes into the second half when defender Grace Olson scored from a free kick. The shot deflected off Thompson's fingertips and into the net. Less than ten minutes later, Isabella Lorens of Marquette equalized for NMU after being set up by Lily Senese, who was making her first appearance for the Wildcats.

Senese was one of five newcomers who debuted for Northern Michigan in this match. Freshmen Gretchen Ellis and Addison Frantti started, while Christina Roberts and Madi Bonsall came off the bench. Four players—Hannah Kastamo, Irene Kiilunen, Addison Wargo, and Alyse Daavettila—played all 90 minutes alongside Thompson in goal.

Statistically, both teams were closely matched with ten shots each; St. Cloud recorded six on target to NMU’s five. The Wildcats held an advantage in corner kicks at 6-4.

"Immediately following a Wildcat yellow card, Olson stepped over a free-kick that was halfway between the Wildcat touch line and the halfway line. With wind at her back, Olson took a chance at goal, and the strike took a deflection off Thompson's fingertips and into the upper region of the goal, giving the Huskies the lead with 23 minutes to play."

"Less than 10 minutes later, Ellis forced a turnover, and Madison Bilbia sprang Senese on the counterattack down the left-hand side. A left-footed cross into the box proved tricky for the goalkeeper to corral, and Lorens was there to find the loose ball and tap into the back of the net, tying the game at one apiece with 14 minutes to play."

The Wildcats will continue their opening weekend at home against Minnesota Duluth on Sunday.