Northern Michigan's unbeaten women's soccer team opens conference play this weekend against the top two teams in the GLIAC preseason poll, both at home in Marquette.
The No. 22 Wildcats (3-0-1) host No. 5 Grand Valley State at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, then face Saginaw Valley State at noon Sunday, Sept. 13. Both matches are at the NMU Soccer Field, which overlooks Lake Superior.
"We're about to face a powerhouse in Grand Valley on Friday, so that's our focus right now," head coach Erin Egolf said Wednesday, according to MyUPNow.
NMU enters GLIAC play ranked No. 3 in the Midwest region. The Wildcats sit second in the region in winning percentage (.875), tied for fifth in assists per game (2.00) and 10th in total points (23).
Senior forward Isabella Lorens has led the early surge. Lorens has two goals and three assists through four matches, ranking tied for second in the Midwest region in assists per game and tied for fifth in total points. The numbers back it up.
She scored twice in NMU's win over Northwood on Saturday, Sept. 5. Her first came just 57 seconds into the second half off a header set up by a free kick from defender Irene Kiilunen, according to The Mining Journal. Freshman Sole Corley also scored her first collegiate goal in that match, finishing a passing play from Alyse Daavettila and Lily Senese in the 12th minute.
Grand Valley State brings firepower
The Lakers (2-1-1) are the reigning GLIAC regular season and tournament champions. Grand Valley went 19-2-1 in 2025, including 13-1-0 in conference play, and was the No. 1 pick in the 2026 GLIAC preseason poll with nine first-place votes.
Grand Valley leads the Midwest region in shots per game (21.5), ranking seventh nationally. Midfielder Sonya Mehta and Kendall Aikens each average 4.25 shots per game. The Lakers also returned First Team All-GLIAC forward Sarah Fromm and defender Acadia Murphy.
Egolf said it will take a near-perfect game from her team to earn points against the Lakers. She told her players to give full focus to Friday's match before thinking about Sunday.
Saginaw Valley State's offense rolling
The Cardinals (2-2-0) were picked second in the GLIAC preseason poll with 71 points and one first-place vote. Saginaw Valley reached the GLIAC Tournament title game in each of the past two seasons and posted 15 wins in 2025, its highest total since 2021.
Through four games, SVSU has scored 10 goals and averages 19.75 shots per game, second only to Grand Valley in the region. Emily Kolodin leads the Midwest region in assists per game (1.00), while Melanie Kolnitys paces the Cardinals with three goals and seven total points.
Egolf said the quick turnaround between Friday and Sunday will test her squad but added she is confident the team will be ready. Both matches will stream on FloCollege, with live stats available at nmuwildcats.com.
