MIDLAND, Mich. - The Malone University women's soccer team traveled to Northwood University on Thursday afternoon but fell 1-0 in a key Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) match. A late goal from the Timberwolves in the 83rd minute lifted the home squad to a win and helped them to clinch a spot in the G-MAC Tournament.
 
The loss does not completely eliminate the Pioneers from postseason contention, but the team needs several losses from Thomas More University in order to extend their season as well as an outright win against Walsh University in the regular season finale.
 
Malone is now 5-8-3 overall with a 4-7-2 mark in conference play. Northwood moves their record to 9-1-5 and 6-1-5 in league action.
 
Each goalkeeper was forced to make saves early in the first half. Junior Amelia Henderhan (5-8-3) made two of her three first half saves in the first 21 minutes of the match. Seniors Hannah Hubbard (17th minute) and Brynn Mowrer (35th minute) put shots on target for the Pioneers, but both were turned away.
 
A scoreless first period saw the Timberwolves take slightly more shots at 5-3, but was charged with eight more fouls than Malone (9-1).
 
Junior Gracie Ashton just missed the mark in the opening minutes of the second half in an attempt to get the Pioneers on the board. Mowrer and sophomore Raegan Radel had opportunities as well, but could not come through for the go-ahead goal.
 
The Malone defense stepped up in the 64th minute when Northwood rattled off three shot attempts. Hubbard, freshman Aubree Mellana and sophomore Maya Najjar anchored the back row and had a pair of blocked shots in that scramble in front of the net.  
 
Freshman Mya Foukas recorded a shot on goal in the 78th minute, but a diving stop by the Northwood goalkeeper preserved the shutout. Ashton had another solid look in the 81st minute, but was collected as well. A free kick around midfield resulted in a goal going the other way in the 83rd minute to sink the Pioneers.
 
Henderhan made five saves in total and played all 90 minutes. Hubbard, senior Camryn Emerling, junior Abby Blaz and junior Alyssa Schofield joined Henderhan in playing the full duration.
 
The final regular season match of the year takes place on Tuesday, November 4 at Walsh University beginning at 5:00 P.M.