Great Lakes Wire

Northern Michigan University's women's soccer team is set to face Ferris State University in a crucial semifinal match on Friday. The Wildcats, ranked eighth nationally, have achieved their highest ranking in program history. They have maintained this position for nine consecutive weeks, according to United Soccer Coaches.

Several players from the Wildcats received GLIAC postseason awards. Molly Pistorius was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, Maria Storm earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year, and Jon Sandoval was recognized as GLIAC Coach of the Year. Pistorius and Storm also received All-GLIAC first-team honors alongside Brooke Pietila. Stephanie Trujillo, Isabelle Brusilow, and Jillian Thompson were awarded Second Team All-GLIAC honors, while Gwen Kiilunen received an at-large honor for the second team.

The Wildcats will host Ferris State at 2 p.m. on November 10th. The Wildcats hold a record of 14-1-4 overall and 9-1-4 in the GLIAC conference this season. They are undefeated at home with a record of 7-0-3.

Coach Jon Sandoval expressed enthusiasm about playing at home: "The best thing about [the upcoming match] is we get to be home again…we get to be in front of other NMU student-athletes, supporters, and the community."

Ferris State's recent performance includes outscoring Saginaw Valley Cardinals in quarter-final play. Katherine Welch leads their team with eight goals and shares top points with Payton Price. Goalkeeper Darya Mosallaei has recorded four shutouts and 58 saves.

The Wildcats have defeated Ferris State twice this season; they won 2-1 on September 22nd with goals from Trujillo and Storm and secured a shutout victory on October 29th with Kastamo's goal sealing a 1-0 win.

This marks their first postseason meeting since NMU's victory over Ferris State in Marquette during the 2010 season. Last year, Ferris State reached the NCAA Final Four but lost to West Chester.

Pistorius led all GLIAC athletes with ten goals and twenty-four points during regular season play. She started all nineteen matches for NMU this season, recording twelve goals and four assists over her time on the field.

Maria Storm played consistently throughout all nineteen matches as well, contributing significantly to NMU's defensive efforts by amassing over sixteen hundred minutes played.

Under Sandoval’s leadership since taking charge three years ago—the 'Cats boast an impressive combined record—and they’ve outscored opponents thirty-five-to-eight while leading key statistics within their conference such as total goals scored (35), shots (319), shutouts (13), among others.

In recent matches against Michigan Tech Huskies & Purdue Northwest Pride—the 'Cats emerged victorious each time—securing wins via scores like one-nil versus Huskies where Trujillo netted only goal; then three-zero triumph over Pride thanks largely due contributions from players including Perritano who scored once herself along w/ brace courtesy Pistorius—all supported defensively via thirteen shutouts achieved thus far through current campaign spearheaded by goalkeeper Thompson whose save tally stands near forty mark already now too!