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Northern Women's Soccer Team Smacks Duluth, 6-1
 Story, photo courtesy of NMU Sports Information DULUTH, Minn. - The Northern Michigan women's soccer team opened 2024 just like they did throughout much of 2023, scoring goals. The Wildcats netted five first half tallies, including four in the first 20 minutes, en route to a season-opening 6-1 trouncing of Minnesota Duluth. The Wildcats displayed the upper hand from the start, taking just over three minutes to open the scoring. Returning after being sidelined all of 2023, Justina L'Esperance sent a beautiful crosser where three Wildcats were closing in on the net. The ball reached the far side where it found the head of Madison Bilbia, who buried the first goal of the season. It didn't take L'Esperance to get one of her own, however. In the 12th minute, a great lead pass from reigning GLIAC Defender of the Year Maria Storm found L'Esperance behind the defense, where she capitalized into the top right corner for a 2-0 lead. Bilbia would add her second just minutes later for her first career multi-goal game, again cutting to the net and finding the ball, this time off the assist of Molly Pistorius. Speaking of Pistorius, she'd also get one of her own in the 21st minute, sending a laser off the post and in for a 4-0 lead. Hannah Kastamo would made it five shots, five goals in the 31st minute, finding a loose ball out front and whistling it into the net for a 5-0 lead. After some dust settled to close the first half and to open the second, Stephanie Trujillo joined the scoring barrage in the 57th minute, gathering an attempted UMD clear, one-touching it and proceeding to send a far corner strike past the goalkeeper for a 6-0 edge. The Bulldogs would avoid the shutout, getting a goal in the 80th minute from Maria Zanotti, leading to a 6-1 final. "We came in excited and the energy was extremely high," said Bilbia after the match. "We were ready to get a win under our belts." The offensive clinic was nothing new to this group of 'Cats, as it marked the 15th time the group has scored 3+ goals dating back to the start of the 2022 season. The Green and Gold fired a total of 17 shots to UMD's four, with a 14-4 edge in shots on goal. Bilbia, L'esperance, Pistorius, H. Kastamo, Trujillo, Maria Storm, and Angelina Perritano all penciled their names into the scoresheet via a goal or assist. A total of 23 'Cats saw action, with three freshmen taking the field for the first time in Green and Gold. It was a good start to our season," L'Esperance said following the game. "We still have a lot more to prove. I am proud of the way we played tonight." The Wildcats will look to make it a 2-0 weekend on Saturday, September 1 with a trip to St. Cloud State. Opening kick is set for 1 p.m. ET. |
