Score: Saginaw Valley 1, Northwood 0
Records: SVSU (7-5-1, 3-3-1 GLIAC) | NU (4-8-1, 2-4-1 GLIAC)
Location: Northwood University
Midland, Mich. — Sunday afternoon, the Saginaw Valley State Women's Soccer team took on city rivals Northwood University in what lead to be the fourth shutout of the season. The Cardinals defeated the Timberwolves 4-0 and held NU to no shots on goal for the entire 90 minutes of play.
Defender Molly Vanderhoff posted the first SVSU goal after darting down the field and notching one in on the left side of the net at the 15' mark of play. This was Vanderhoff's third goal of the season, giving Saginaw Valley a 1-0 lead.
The last goal of the first half came from Sakura Bals help from Zo Schultz at the 42' mark. The Cardinal duo headed down the field and with a cross to the right post from Schultz, Bals was able to sneak one in the back side of the net for her first goal of the season.
Saginaw Valley held the Northwood offense to no shots on goal the entire first half, with SVSU posting six. The Cardinals posted a total of 11 shots to the Timberwolves one.
The second half was no different, with the SVSU defense holding the NU offense to only one shot, while the Cardinals dropped in two more goals and six total shots.
Valentina Giambanco with the help of Vanderhoff, dropped in her sixth goal of the season at the 70' mark. Vanderhoff dribbled the ball down the field and shot a pass over to Giambanco who grab a clear shot 15 yards out and swished it in the back of the net for a 3-0 lead over the Timberwolves.
Bals followed Giambanco's goal by a breakway down the field and shot one in the right side on the net, earning her second goal of the season in the same game. With this final goal by the SVSU offense at the 86' mark, the Cardinals take the victory 4-0 against Northwood.
SVSU defense was nothing less than extraordinary, holding the NU offense to only 2 shots and none on goal. Saginaw Valley ended with 17 shots, five on goal.
This is the fourth shutout of the 2017 campaign.
Inside the Box Score
• Bals posted her first two goals of the season for the Cardinals, tying her career high.
• Giambanco dropped in her sixth goal of the season and now leads the team with 15 points.
• Vanderhoff posted her third goal and third assist of the 2017 campaign. Also, she earned the game-winning goal of today's contest.
• Defender Schultz added her first assist of the season.
• The team out shot the Timberwolves 17-2.
• Saginaw Valley led Northwood 7-4 in corner kicks.
From head coach Michael O'Neill
"We showed great energy right from start today. We knew it would be tough to break down an organized team like NU but when Molly's individual brilliance broke the deadlock, the game became far more open for us. It was also great to get Sakura and Valentina on the scoresheet as they've been working hard on finishing after practice. I also think as a team we defended well and Jennifer, Sam, and Lindsey, really stifled any attack's NU tried to create. To go ninety minutes in those conditions and not concede a shot on target is a testament to the teams focus and desire."
Up Next...
The Cardinals will continue on the road to play Ashland University on Friday (Oct. 20) at 7 p.m. The Eagles are on a hot streak, winning their last three GLIAC match ups.
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