Huskies begin with win over Panthers 1-0

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Jesse Jacobusse scored in the 78^th minute and the Huskies held Davenport to two shots on goal for a 1-0 shutout in the opening game of the 2020-21 GLIAC soccer season at DU Turf Field on a breezy Friday afternoon. Erika Gabriel made two saves for a clean sheet in goal for the Huskies and Bulut Ozturk tallied his first career win as head coach of the program. Brooke Schauer was credited with an assist on Jacobusse's goal after she passed the ball into the box on a free kick. Jacobusse timed the first bounce and elevatored a shot over Davenport goalkeeper Samantha Beckles.

"All around it was a great effort and a collective win," Ozturk said. "It's was our first game in 16 months and so I think we were both excited and nervous going in. It was definitely a nail biter at times and we had multiple opportunities to score in the first half but we stayed patient. I am very happy for Erika for stepping up big to make two penalty kick saves for us. That doesn't happen very often. Then for Brooke and Jesse to connect like they did was really nice to see. To Davenport's credit, they came out and created chances in the second half so it was hard fought game by two teams that really wanted to win. I feel very fortunate to get a victory today."

The Huskies posted 16 shot attempts with nine on frame. Jacobusse, Grace Shaw, and Mackenzie Scholz each marked a pair of shots on goal. Michigan Tech (1-0) avenged a 3-0 loss to Davenport in their last meeting and will travel to Grand Valley State for a 12 p.m. game in Allendale, Michigan Sunday.

FIRST HALF BREAKDOWN: To start the game, Shaw received a pass up the middle to the top of the box for the Huskies first legitimate scoring chance of the season in the ninth minute. Beckles came out to challenge and steered it away. Ten minutes later, the Huskies controlled the ball through traffic in a dangerous position. Haley Ruiter tried a header from 10 feet but missed over the crossbar.

Emily Zeitunian attempted a shot on goal in the 30^th minute after receiving a crossing pass on the right side of the field. Beckles batted it away at the near post to force an MTU corner. Stephanie Yeager tried a short angle shot from the other post three minutes later and forced Beckles to make another high save.

In the 37^th minute, Ashlyn Skidmore was called for a foul to give the Huskies a free kick one foot shy of the top of the box but the Huskies failed to materialize a threat after the Panthers blocked an initial try.

Michigan Tech played nearly the entire first half in the Davenport end but the most significant opportunity to break the tie came from Davenport in the final minute (37 seconds remaining) on a penalty kick. Cassie Bonifas was called for a foul as she defended a run up the right side of the field. Madeleine Zayan took the shot but Erika Gabriel ranged to her left to make the save inside the left post at head height. It was the only shot attempt in the opening 45 minutes for the Panthers. Tech fired 11 shots with six landing on goal. Michigan Tech earned four corners.

SECOND HALF BREAKDOWN: Frequent fouls slowed the pace for both teams in the first five minutes of the second half. The Huskies maintained possession and pressure but failed to generate a shot on a looping cross by Shaw in the 54^th minute. Jesse Jacobusse nearly scored in the 60^th minute but her low attempt glanced off Beckles' out-stretched foot and careened out of bounds.

The Huskies were called for a hand ball after the Panthers first corner of the game but Gabriel made another save on the ensuing penalty kick and dove left against Skidmore's try in the 68^th minute. Gabriel punched out Skidmore's corner three minutes later as the Panthers sustained offense for the first time.

Jacobusse scored the first Husky goal of the season and 11^th of her career in the 78^th minute for a 1-0 advantage. The goal came after Brooke Schauer went straight ahead with a free kick from 30 yards on from the left side. Jacobusse timed the bounce perfectly and chipped it over Beckles' head into the lower left quadrant of the frame. The Huskies faced just one shot in the second half and two corners. Neither came in the final five minutes.

Michigan Tech finished with 16 shot attempts (eight on goal) and five corner kicks. Davenport earned two corners and attempted six shots (two on goal). It was the first time Michigan Soccer played a counting game in over 16 months.