Jon Sandoval Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
Jon Sandoval Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
The Northern Michigan Wildcats women's soccer team secured a 2-1 victory over Ferris State on Friday in Marquette, with two late goals from senior Hannah Kastamo turning the game around in the final ten minutes. The win brings the Wildcats to a 3-3-3 record overall and 3-2-0 in GLIAC play, while extending their unbeaten streak against Ferris State to eight matches.
Ferris State opened the scoring an hour into the contest when Bella Vallone headed in her first goal of the season off a set piece delivered by Grace Sampson. Despite falling behind, Northern Michigan continued pressing forward. With ten minutes remaining, Gretchen Ellis assisted Kastamo for the equalizer from a corner kick. Just four minutes later, Madison Bilbia found Kastamo again, who scored her second goal to secure three points for NMU.
Head coach Erin Egolf used five substitutions during the match, including significant time for Madi Bonsall off the bench. Goalkeeper Carly Sides made five saves for NMU, marking her second consecutive win. Defenders Addison Wargo and Irene Kiilunen played full matches alongside Ellis and Sides.
For Ferris State, goalkeeper Korinne Ihrke recorded six saves—the second-highest total for her this season—while Sampson’s assist added to her tally of five points in as many games played.
The game was closely contested statistically: Ferris State registered 13 shots (six on target) compared to NMU's 12 shots (eight on target). The Bulldogs held an advantage in corner kicks (10-3) and had slightly more possession at 51%. Three Bulldogs players—Annie Hartley, Maurine Schneider, and Haley Buckman—were booked with yellow cards. NMU committed eight fouls versus four by FSU.
This result snapped a six-game unbeaten streak for Ferris State and marked only their second game conceding two goals this season. It is also just the second time Northern Michigan has come from behind to defeat Ferris State; the previous instance occurred on October 1, 2005.
With this performance, Kastamo now has three goals and one assist over her last two matches. Her nine career game-winning goals tie Paula Hafner (2013-2016) for fourth-most in program history. Ellis leads NMU with three assists this season.
Northern Michigan will remain at home to face Saginaw Valley on Sunday at noon at NMU Soccer Field.
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