“This was one of the hardest games we had this season. In the end we kept on pushing and got the ball in and somehow ended up winning,” said senior forward Nichole Boehnke.
The game was the first in a string of three that will definitely test the Bulldogs.
The next two games will be later this week against Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech at home with a day between.
Last year, Ferris State fell to the Northern Michigan Wildcats 1-0. The Bulldogs had their shots on goal but had trouble converting, often hitting the posts.
Ferris State has seven shutouts and have yet to allow multiple goals in a game since their first two games.
Northern Michigan started off the season at 0-7 but have won four straight since.
The Wildcats looks to be back in form at the right time, but the Bulldogs are up for the challenge.
“We play them at home this year so it should change the dynamic from last year. We had an upsetting loss against Northern so we’re definitely looking to revenge that,” said Boehnke.
It will be a matchup of two four-game streaks. Northern Michigan’s win streak against Ferris State’s shutout streak.
A big part of Ferris State’s shutouts this year is senior goalie Maddie Haustein. Behind an experienced defensive line up with multiple seniors, Haustein has plenty of help. On the season, she has a .909 save percentage allowing only 10 goals in 14 games.
Haustein didn’t participate in most of last year’s season due to injury so her presence should be refreshing heading into these next two games.
Two days after Northern Michigan, Ferris State will play the Michigan Tech Huskies.
The Bulldogs had a more favorable outcome against the Huskies last year besting them 2-0.
“That was a good win for us last year. We weren’t expected to win but we pulled out the victory. It was exciting for us and we look to do the same these next two games,” said Boehnke.
This year’s matchup against Michigan Tech will be a defensive battle. Both teams have allowed less than a goal per game on defense. The Huskies have also matched the Bulldogs with seven shutouts of their own
The Bulldogs play Northern Michigan Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. and play Michigan Tech Sunday, Oct. 18 at 12 p.m. Both contests are at home in Big Rapids.
