CALEDONIA, Mich. – Davenport had their GLIAC home-opener and pulled through with a 1-0 win for the home crowd. The Panthers were dominant throughout the entire game and their offensive pressure resulted in a goal during the 67^th minute from sophomore Madeleine Zayan, assisted by Ashlyn Skidmore. Davenport only allowed two shots on goal by the Wildcats during the 90 minutes of play and matched the physicality of Northern Michigan. The win helps Davenport jump to 2-1 in conference play and 4-5 overall on the season.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-1 | Northern Michigan-0
Location: Caledonia, Mich.
Records: Davenport 4-5 (2-1) | Northern Michigan 4-5-2 (1-2)
 
SHOTS PER HALF (Shots on goal)
First Half: DU-8 | NMU-9
Second Half: DU-9 | NMU-7
Total: DU-17 (6) | NMU-16 (2)


 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening 30 minutes of play was a chess match between the Panthers and Wildcats, both teams were setting up their defense and preparing for their opponents next move. The first real offensive opportunity came in the 31^st minute for senior Alayna Hilgendorf. Hilgendorf received a pass and was one on one with the goalie, the goalie charged towards Hilgendorf and she hit a hard shot on the ground that hit the goalie's feet, the ball bounced towards the sideline. Davenport recorded three more shots on goal over the final seven minutes of play, one from Skidmore, Zayan, and Roheema Bennett.
 
Throughout the first and the second half, the Panthers controlled the ball and consistently beat the Wildcats to 50/50 balls. Davenport broke the scoring draught with a beautiful goal in the 67^th minute. Skidmore had the ball and placed a through ball on the ground between two defenders, Zayan timed the run perfectly and blasted past the defenders and just had to beat the keeper to the ball. Zayan got to the ball a tick before the keeper and tapped the ball towards the right side of the net from inside the box for the eventual game-winning goal. The Panthers continued the pressure with a couple more one on one chances against the Wildcats goalkeeper. Katherine Steiner had two opportunities down the stretch to extend the lead for DU, but her one shot went wide of the net. Northern Michigan got physical down the stretch as they tried to net the tying goal, but Davenport matched their intensity and successfully preserved their lead for the one-goal win.
 
Up Next
The Panthers will have another home GLIAC game on Sunday, October 7. Davenport will host Michigan Tech at 1:00 p.m. in the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Alexis Hoffman