GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - With two top-10 regional opponents on tap this weekend, Davenport University women's soccer hits the road for their first look at conference play this year.

Last week consisted of the Panthers' first loss of 2024 after drawing 1-1 with Northwood and dropping the home opener to first-time opponent, Cedarville University, 2-1. Ella Chatfield recorded her second goal this season to tie Haley Diekevers for the team's leading scorer, as Taylor Meadows logged her first score as a Panther in the loss to the Yellow Jackets.

The loss marked DU's non-conference record at 2-1-1 for 2024 as GLIAC action kicks off this weekend against regionally-ranked programs.

Michigan Tech Matchup
Projected to finish No. 6 in the GLIAC Preseason Poll, Tech opened the year with back-to-back wins before suffering a 4-1 loss to Northwood (Sept. 17) their last time out. The Huskies come into this week at No. 7 in the Midwest Region Poll after dropping two places.

Julia Pietila (Second Team All-GLIAC), Jordan Noble (Honorable Mention All-GLIAC), Emilie Clayton, and Brooke Green are at the top of the returns list for the Huskies this year, with Pietila recording her first goal of 2024 for the game-winning score against Minnesota Duluth (1-0) on Sept. 7.

Tech has already seen two goalkeepers take the starting role in a match. Bri Barrows maintains the most action so far with two starts and two victories backed by eight saves made and zero goals allowed. Ludesha Reynolds started and played all 90 minutes in the Northwood contest, making one save in the effort.

The all-time series sits at 3-5-2 overall against the Huskies as DU hasn't won a matchup since 2019 and scoring one goal in the last seven face-offs. Tech will host the 11th all-time meeting for their 2024 home opener Friday.

NMU Matchup
The Wildcats remain at No. 4 in the Midwest Region Poll as their two-match homestand this weekend consists of No. 1 GVSU on Friday and DU on Sunday.

Competing as the reigning GLIAC Regular Season and GLIAC Tournament Champions, a first-round exit in the 2023 NCAA Tournament capped the Wildcats' overall record at 16-2-4 with one loss during the regular season. The momentum of last season has carried into this year as Northern Michigan closed non-league play with a 2-1-1 record last week.

Justina L'Esperance and Madison Bilbia early on. The pair account for five of NMU's 11 total goals as Angelina Perritano has tabbed a team-leading two assists through four matches with six other Wildcats recording a goal this season. A similar goalkeeping strategy to Tech's has seen Sally Patton and Jillian Thompson start and play in two matches each for NMU, with both players making four saves each and allowing a combined four goals scored.

DU looks to snap a three-match losing streak against the Wildcats this weekend and improve its 2-5-2 all-time series record in what would be the second road win against Northern Michigan.

Live Coverage
Friday, Sept. 20 at Michigan Tech (6 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Sunday, Sept. 22 at Northern Michigan (1 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats