Bulldogs on top

The Bulldogs beat Michigan Tech in home contest

Emily Mergener makes a play against Michigan Tech. Photo by Ben Amato and Joe Washington, Ferris Athletics.

After a rainy afternoon, the Ferris soccer team kicked-off a 5-game stretch at home against the Michigan Tech Huskies.

The team was able to brave the elements to remain unbeaten in GLIAC play. The Friday contest was an important win, especially coming off a 2-2 draw against the #1 ranked Grand Valley just 5 days before.

The Bulldogs wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. At 3:15, Senior forward Grace VerHage scored on a wide-open net after a cross the box pass from Junior Isabella Zamborini opened up an opportunity. Ferris flirted with more scoring opportunities, but ultimately, the scoring stayed stagnant throughout the rest of the first half.

Coach Greg Henson praised the Huskies on their defensive abilities.

“Other times we got a little disjointed. And that’s credit to Michigan Tech, there a good program,” Coach Henson said. “They made things hard on us on their defensive end.”

MTU matched the energy in the second half, tying the game with a top corner shot past the outstretched arms of Ferris Goalkeeper Darya Mosallaei. The goal was scored by Michigan Tech’s Senior midfielder Hannah Loughlin, assisted from a corner kick by midfielder Stephanie Yeager. This marks only the second goal allowed by the Ferris defense at home this season.

Coach Henson commented on the improvements that the team can make going forward.

“Staying focused on the little things, like winning the ball out of the air, clearings, services. Things of that nature on the defensive end, what we didn’t do that they were able to capitalize on.”

The game stayed locked at 1-1 until VerHage, who was able to split the defense and beat MTU’s keeper Gracie VanLangevelde, left a wide-open goal for senior Emily Mergener to secure the victory for the Bulldogs.

Ferris led in shots for the game, besting the Huskies 10-6. Ferris keeper Mosallaei had her work cut out for her, facing 5 Husky shots on goal compared to the Bulldogs’ 6.

Senior Midfielder Bri Rogers gave her thoughts on how the match went.

“It was a good team win, it wasn’t always pretty but we got the job done,” Rogers said. “We have a lot of younger girls that are stepping up. They see the opportunity in front of them to have an impact on a team that is really good.”

It’s been a mix of veterans and rookies on the team that have given the Bulldogs success so far this season. Giving the team high expectations as they face the second half of the season.

The Bulldogs closed out the weekend on Sunday with a 0-0 draw against the Saginaw Valley Cardinals. A match filled with defensive grit and aggressiveness by both teams. As time went on, the game got more and more chippy, especially in overtime. In total, both teams totaled 23 fouls.

Ferris keeper Mosallaei benefited from the deadlocked score, recording her sixth shutout so far this season. En route to breaking the school record of most shutouts in a single season, where the freshman is 3rd on the all-time list.

Ferris State takes the pitch again Friday, October 15 at 4 pm. This will be their third game of the homestand, as the Wildcats of Northern Michigan make the trip to Big Rapids.