CALEDONIA, Mich. – Davenport honored their six seniors prior to the start of the game, and then kicked off against the number 21 team in the country. The Panthers fought throughout the entire game, but the Cardinals were too much for Davenport to handle. The Cardinals scored two goals in the game and recorded 10 shots on goal, with an additional 10 shots not finding their mark. All six of the seniors got playing time in the game.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-0 | Saginaw Valley-2
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: Davenport 5-7 (3-3) | Saginaw Valley 10-2-2 (4-1-1)
 
SHOTS PER HALF (Shots on goal)
First Half: DU-8 | SVSU-10
Second Half: DU-5 | SVSU-10
Total: DU-13 (4) | SVSU-20 (10)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Davenport found themselves in a deficit early in the game when the Cardinals scored during the tenth minute of play. The Panthers have struggled this year when they are playing from behind. The opposing team has scored the initial goal in all seven of Davenport's loses this year. The Panthers got a golden opportunity in the 26^th minute of the half when senior Alayna Hilgendorf was taken down in the box by Samantha Dunn of the Cardinals. Davenport was awarded a penalty kick and Hilgendorf stepped up to take the shot. Her shot was low and to the left but a diving save from the Cardinals keeper stopped the Panthers from tying up the game.
 
In the second half the Cardinals got a quick goal to go up two scores. The goal was scored inside the box after a shot went off the cross bar and settled in front of the net where Molly Vanderhoff tapped in the easy goal. Davenport had a couple scoring opportunities later in the second half, but none of them produced a great shot on target. The Panthers were outshot 10-4 in shots on goal during the game.
 
Up Next
Davenport is on the road for their final three games of the regular season. The Panthers travel to play Northwood and Ferris State next weekend and the Grand Valley State the weekend after that.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra