UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University women's soccer team opened the 2025 season Friday afternoon at Robert C. Braddock Field, dropping a tight 1-0 decision to Northwood University.
The Cardinals (0-1-0) created plenty of opportunities, outshooting the Timberwolves (1-0-0) by a 12-8 margin, but could not find the back of the net. Northwood broke the scoreless deadlock in the 60th minute when Ava Kettler struck from outside the box, curling a left-footed shot into the top right corner of the goal.
SVSU pressured heavily after the goal, especially following a Northwood red card in the 78th minute that left the visitors down a player for the final stretch. Senior goalkeeper Lainey Garbarz (Pinckney, Mich. / Father Gabriel Richard HS) kept the Cardinals within reach with four saves, including two in each half.
On the attacking end, Madi Bajis (Macomb, Mich. / Utica HS) led SVSU with four shots, while Lauryn Fracassi (Grandville, Mich. / Grandville HS), Rileigh Garbarz (Pinckney, Mich. / Father Gabriel Richard HS), and Kylie Cesarek (Macomb, Mich. / Dakota HS) each generated strong looks on frame. Freshman Abby Ellis (Waterford, Mich. / Waterford Mott HS) and sophomore Emma Bradley (Clarkston, Mich. / Clarkston HS) also added quality chances as the Cardinals pushed for the equalizer.
The rivalry clash was physical throughout, featuring 23 combined fouls and three cards issued, including the late ejection to Northwood.
Saginaw Valley heads on the road this weekend to continue the 2025 campaign. SVSU heads to McKendree on Sunday, September 11 for an 11:00 AM kickoff from Leemon Field in Lebanon, Illinois.
