The Basics
Score: No. 22 Saginaw Valley 3, Northern Michigan 1
Records: SVSU (14-3-1, 12-3-1 GLIAC) | NMU (5-9-1, 5-8-2 GLIAC)
Location: Braddock Field - University Center, Mich.
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - The no. 22-ranked SVSU men's soccer team needed a victory in the regular season finale to clinch the outright GLIAC regular season championship on Friday (Oct. 28) against Northern Michigan. The Cardinals would come through with a solid performance once again, sealing the deal in front of their home crowd and winning the program's third league title with a 3-1 decision over the Wildcats.
Saginaw Valley would get the scoring rolling in the contest when Matt Wilson made good on a sliding shot in front of the goal off a nice pass from Andrew Dalou. Wilson's score made the count 1-0 at 25:35 into the match.
The Cardinals would tack-on another score inside of a minute left in the opening period, as Pablo Ortiz played a nice ball back to Troy Watson, who fired a long shot and tucked it in the top of the goal, pushing the home team's lead out to 2-0 heading into the halftime break.
Northern Michigan made good on a penalty kick after an SVSU player was called for a hand ball in the box, and that would cut the deficit to 2-1 at the 66:20 point.
The up-tempo match stayed there throughout but the Cardinals would notch another goal to make the count 3-1 at the 83:34 point when Azaad Liadi played a nice ball over the defender's head to find Dalou, who beat the Wildcat goalkeeper on the right side of the goal for the goal.
That insurance goal would seal the deal for the Cards, clinching them the 2016 GLIAC Regular Season Championship and the right to host the GLIAC Tournament.
Inside the Boxscore
- The regular season championship is the third in program history, as the Cardinals previously claimed back-to-back titles in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
- The victory gives the squad a perfect 10-0 mark at home on Braddock Field. It's the first time the men haven't lost on their home turf in regular season play.
- SVSU's 12 league wins match the program record set last year for GLIAC victories.
- Wilson's goal keeps him leading the league with 13. He still leads with 11 assists and 37 points as well.
- Dalou, who posted both a goal and assist in the contest, now has six scores and five helpers for the 2016 campaign. He is second on the squad with 17 points.
- Watson now has three goals on the season to go along with his three assists.
- Liadi's assist marks his first career point for the Cardinals.
- Connor Keane made three saves, only allowing the penalty kick score in his 90:00 in net. He is now 14-3-1 on the season.
From Head Coach Andy Wagstaff & Senior Midfielder Troy Watson
Up Next...
The Cardinals secured the no. 1 seed in the 2016 GLIAC Tournament, which they will host at Braddock Field. The tournament kicks-off Friday (Nov. 4) with game times at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Stay tuned to www.svsucardinals.com and @SVSUAthletics on twitter for all updates.
@SVSUsoccer | #svsumsoc
