Sophia Pietila, freshmen | Northern Michigan Wildcats Women's Soccer
Sophia Pietila, freshmen | Northern Michigan Wildcats Women's Soccer
The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team lost 4-0 to the No. 3 ranked Grand Valley State Lakers in their GLIAC home opener in Marquette, Michigan.
During the match, 24 Wildcats players took the field, including freshmen Sophia Pietila, Mia Jonas, Caroline Wellnitz, and Mia Clemence, who made their debuts. Goalkeeper Carly Sides started for the second consecutive game and recorded a career-high 11 saves. This was the most saves by a Wildcat goalkeeper since Brianna Frontuto also made 11 stops against Grand Valley on October 18, 2025.
Grand Valley State (5-1-0 overall, 2-0-0 GLIAC) had four different players score goals. Their goalkeeper Macie Hunter earned her second straight shutout by saving both shots on target from NMU.
The Lakers scored three goals within ten minutes during the first half. Mackenzie Ford opened scoring with a free kick that slipped past Sides. Ivy Wilhelm added another goal after connecting with a pass from Dennison following a corner kick. Kacy Lauer extended the lead to three before halftime after capitalizing on another set piece.
In the second half, Sarah Fromm converted a penalty kick after drawing a foul in the box to make it 4-0.
Grand Valley outshot NMU 27-6, with 15 shots on target compared to two for NMU. The Lakers also had 12 corner kicks while NMU had two.
NMU will finish its weekend homestand against Davenport Panthers on Sunday, September 28 at noon.
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