MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan produced four goals in the opening 14 minutes of the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinal to cruise to the semifinal, with a 5-0 victory over Michigan Tech at the NMU Soccer Field on Tuesday afternoon. 

"Today was a tough way for our season to end but I am proud of the fight of our team all the way until the end. Northern is a solid team and has a lethal attacking group that made us pay early in the game," said Michigan Tech soccer head coach Melissa Kuhar. "We tactically tried something different due to the injuries across our backline but Northern was able to expose us on the outside and finished their chances.

"Huge thank you to the seniors on this team for what they gave this program! I speak for the team and myself when I say we are glad we got to go on this journey alongside them. We take this season and learn from it and get better in the offseason. Tomorrow starts the process to get better!"

The No. 1 seed Northern Michigan (12-3-4, 9-2-3 GLIAC) needed six shots to score four goals in less than 14 minutes of action to put No. 8 seed Michigan Tech (6-11-1, 4-9-1 GLIAC) in a deep deficit early. 

The scoring barrage started 90 seconds into the game from the league's leading goal-scorer, Justina L'Esperance. Madison Bilbia and Calihan Bearden added scores minutes later before L'Esperance struck again in the 14th minute to give the Wildcats an early 4-0 start.

Following the offensive outburst, the two teams began to play more in the midfield, with the Huskies taking four shots in the final 15 minutes, forcing NMU's goalkeeper to make two saves before entering halftime. 

The Black & Gold gave up another goal three minutes into the second half, scored by Angelina Perritano on a shot that hit the crossbar and then bounced off the ground before being collected by the Huskies goalkeeper. However, a late whistle determined the ball had crossed the goal line for the Wildcats' fifth score of the day.

Michigan Tech created a scoring chance off a corner kick late in the second half. The ball made it deep into the box with a scrum ensuing, seeing Kiersen Korienek get her shot blocked before the Wildcats could clear it out of their end.

Veteran forwards Julia Pietila and Kiersen Korienek had chances at finding the back of the net, each recording a team-leading two shots on goal. Grace Hoeppner and Reilly Lovercheck also registered a shot on goal for the Huskies.

The match concludes the careers of Molly Bolang, Emilie Clayton, Jordan Noble, Taylor Noble, Julia Pietila and Ella Roach.