DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's soccer program clinched the GLIAC Regular-Season Championship on Saturday afternoon as they tied 2-2 with Ferris State. At 12-1-5 overall and 8-1-5 in GLIAC play, the Warriors will enter the GLIAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed following their inaugural regular season.
After defeating Michigan Tech 4-1 on Thursday, the Green and Gold needed a win, tie or Grand Valley State loss in order to claim the outright GLIAC Regular-Season Title.
QUOTING HEAD COACH DOUG STEINARD
"I am super proud of how our team came together as a group and always battled and found a way. The group said the expectation was to compete for a league title regardless of if it was our first year or not. We appreciate the support we have had all year from our fans, families and administration at Wayne State, but the job is not done. We look forward to heading into the GLIAC Tournament."
QUOTING REDSHIRT-SENIOR CAPTAIN REAGAN BRENGMAN
"What a special inaugural season with such an incredible group of girls. All of the hard work, sacrifices and belief brought us to this moment. I could not be more proud of this group and everything we have accomplished together. This is a season to be so proud of, but the job is not finished yet."
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
WSU was the first to strike in the opening half as
Mairin Wessner (Northville, Mich. [Dayton]) fired a ball into
Jess Clyde (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Huron [Schoolcraft C.C.]), who passed it off to
Sabrina Gaul (Troy, Mich.) before Gaul scored the opening goal at 10:35. That marked Gaul's fourth score of the season and third this week alone.
At 40:47, Ferris State responded with a free kick from just in front of midfield. Anna Thelen took the kick and found the back of the net, going over her own teammates and past the WSU defenders.
Second Half
Ferris State carried their momentum into the second half as the ball was crossed into the box by the Bulldogs and picked up by Natalia Leavens, who netted a goal off of a deflection by the Warrior defense.
Maya Bjedov (Brighton, Mich.) responded for WSU and tied the game at 2-2 with a header into the net off of a corner-kick assist from
Sienna Mroue (Dearborn, Mich.).
Wayne State outshot Ferris State 14-10 with 10 shots on goal compared to the Bulldogs four and held the advantage in corner kicks, 8-4. The contest was a physical affair as the teams combined for 19 fouls. Seven of the Warriors' sixteen field players recorded at least one shot on goal.
Emily Mendrick (Troy, Mich. [Ashland]) was unable to find the back of the net, but not for a lack of accuracy. Mendrick crushed a pair of shots into the top left corner of the net that were both stopped by the Bulldogs' diving goalkeeper, Korinne Ihrke.
GOALKEEPER INFORMATION
While both goalkeepers allowed two goals,
Kate Helfen (Troy, Mich. [Cincinnati]) recorded two saves compared to Ihrke's seven.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will host Ferris State in the GLIAC Tournament quarterfinals at the WSU Soccer Complex at 3 p.m on Nov. 3. The Warriors faced the Bulldogs twice during the regular season, once to open the league slate in Big Rapids where WSU won 2-1, before a 2-2 deadlock on Halloween.
