Men's Soccer Advances to GLIAC Tournament Championship with 2-1 Win Over #11 Saginaw Valley

OVERVIEW – GLIAC Tournament Semi-Final // #11 Saginaw Valley State University 
 
SCORE: Northwood Timberwolves 2, #11 Saginaw Valley State Cardinals 1 
RECORDS:  Northwood (9-8-1), SVSU (9-2-6) 
LOCATION: Braddock Field – University Center, Mich. 
RECAP: Jack Doyle's second half goal proved to be the difference as the Timberwolves took down 11th ranked Saginaw Valley to advance to the GLIAC Men's Soccer Tournament Championship.  

GAME HIGHLIGHTS 

• The first 15 minutes of the game were played nearly exclusively in the midfield as both teams battled for chances early in the match. 

• Northwood struck first in the 20th minute as Luke Neves' free kick from 30 yards out found the head of Chase Clark, who hit the ball back across frame and into the right side-netting to make the score 1-0 in favor of the Timberwolves. 

• Neither team was able to create another dangerous chance in the ensuing 25 minutes, and the score held at 1-0 into the mid-way break. 

• Nine minutes into the second stanza the Timberwolves doubled their lead as Jack Doyle slotted a shot past the goalkeeper on a counter to make the score 2-0 in the 54th minute. 

• The Cardinals would not go out without a fight, however, tallying 11 second half shots.  Azaad Liadi was able to get one back for the hosts in the 73rd minute to cut the Timberwolves lead to 2-1. 

• Saginaw Valley's best chance at an equalizer came in the 86th minute when Michael Shaikly's curling effort missed wide right. 

• Northwood was able to see out the last four minutes and held on for the 2-1 victory. 

GAME STATS 

• SHOTS: SVSU 17, Northwood 6 

• SAVES: Northwood 4 (Cecchini), SVSU 1 (Betz) 

• CORNER KICKS: SVSU 10, Northwood 1 

• FOULS: Northwood 11, SVSU 7 

TOP NU PERFORMERS 

• Doyle:  One Shot, One Goal 

• Clark:  One Shot, One Goal 

• Neves: One Shot, One Assist 

• Hobbs:  Two Shots, Two on Goal 

NORTHWOOD NOTES 

• With today's win the Timberwolves advance to the GLIAC Tournament Championship. 

• The winner of the GLIAC Tournament receives an automatic birth to the NCAA Tournament. 

UP NEXT 

• Northwood will look to clinch an NCAA post-season birth on Sunday when they return to Saginaw Valley for the GLIAC Championship where they will take on either Wisconsin-Parkside or Ashland for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff.