RALLY FALLS SHORT: 'Cats Drop Home Opener

This story was written by NMU Sports Information

MARQUETTE---Northern Michigan University Women's Soccer scored two goals in the game's final 15 minutes but their comeback efforts fell shot as the Wildcats fell 3-2 to Winona State University.

WSU scored the game's first three goals. With 15 minutes left in the game, the Wildcats inched closer. After a shot by freshman Brenna Musser (Grand Rapids, Mich.),

The Warriors played their goal kick out and across the field, eventually giving NMU a throw-in deep inside WSU territory.

After the throw-in, the ball was sent to the middle of the field where junior Andrea Sekloch (Casco, Mich.) headed the ball to the right of the goal.

Freshman Evelyn Flor (Hugo, Minn.) then beat the Winona State goalkeeper to the ball and put it into the net to give the Wildcats a goal and reduce the deficit to 3-1.

The goal is Flor's first for NMU with Sekloch recording her first assist of the year.

In the 81st minute, sophomore Caroline Halonen (Hartland, Mich.) was fouled to set up an NMU free kick. Halonen then took the kick and sent it into the WSU box, finding junior Isabela Cardosa (Hialeah, Fla.) in the middle of the box.

Cardosa took the pass and headed the ball over the Warrior goalkeeper for the second Wildcat goal of the game and her first goal as a Wildcat. Halonen picked up her first assist this year as well.

However, NMU was unable to capitalize on a shot by sophomore Rachael Erste (Rockford, Mich.), giving Winona State a 3-2 victory.

Halonen finished with eight shots to lead the Wildcats with senior Jamie Montgomery (Gaithersburg, Md.) adding four. Erste and Cardoso both had two while Musser, Flor, and freshman Isabelle Brusilow (Grosse Point, Mich.) all had one each.

In goal, sophomore goalkeeper Brianna Frontuto (Luxemburg, Wis.) finished with five saves.

The Wildcats are now 1-2 on the season while Winona State moves to 1-1. NMU will return to action Sunday afternoon to take on Northwood University in a nonconference matchup on the NMU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.