One step forward, one step back
The Ferris Bulldogs positioned themselves one step closer to the playoffs with a crucial 1-0 win at Tiffin Oct. 12.
Ferris’ sophomore midfielder-defender Riley Wood displayed her versatility by putting the game away off a feed from sophomore midfielder Taylor DiCicco in the 82nd minute. The goal was Wood’s team-leading fifth of the season, while DiCicco notched her first point of the season with an assist.
The Bulldogs’ junior goalkeeper Rachel McCollum posted a two save shutout, which was good for her third of the season. McCollum has played every minute of every game to this point of the season.
The Bulldogs recorded nine shots on goal against Tiffin. Freshman defender/forward Hunter Dolan and freshman forward Casey Shauman led the way for Ferris with two apiece. Tiffin had only two shots on goal.
The Bulldogs’ step forward was abruptly halted in a 4-0 loss at Findlay, Ohio Oct. 14, dropping them to 5-5-3 overall with four games remaining in the season.
Ferris returns home to wrap up their home schedule with a match against Northern Michigan at 4 p.m. on Oct. 19, and Oct. 21 at 12 p.m. against conference leader Michigan Tech.
Crossed up
The nationally ranked No. 21 Bulldog volleyball team ran into a roadblock at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference –Great Lakes Valley Conference Crossover Tournament, as their eight-game win streak was snapped by Lewis, Ill. in a 3-2 loss.
Ferris was able to knot up the score at 2-2 after dropping the second and third frames, but was denied the victory in the fifth.
Later that night, Ferris wasn’t able to come back after its third set victory, and it was defeated by nationally 9th-ranked Indianapolis, 3-1.
The Bulldogs rebounded from back to back Friday night losses with a 3-1 victory over Southern Indiana.
Senior setter Samantha Fordyce posted a weekend team high 43 assists in their opening loss to Lewis, while senior middlehitter Anne Sutton had another weekend team best 16 kills in the same match.
The Bulldogs will prepare to resume conference play this week as they are scheduled to meet GLIAC foes Findlay, Ohio and Wayne State on the road Oct. 19 and 20, respectively.