Ferris State Soccer Ties Cedarville in Regular Season Opener

Postgame Interview & Highlights 

Big Rapids, Mich. – The Ferris State University women's soccer team opened its season with a 2-2 tie against the Cedarville Yellowjackets on Thursday (Sept. 5) at the Bulldog Soccer Field.

It marked the first meeting between the Bulldogs (0-0-1) and Yellowjackets (0-0-1) since the 2022 season when FSU topped Cedarville 3-1 in the NCAA Midwest Region Second Round. In Thursday's contest, the Bulldogs opened their season in front of a large crowd, including students from Riverview Elementary.

Senior goalkeeper Lauren Kubacki played all 90 minutes for Ferris State, recording six saves while facing eight shot attempts. Brooke Ackley started in goal for Cedarville, allowing two goals and registering one save.

FSU got on the board first with Reese Carmody scoring her first collegiate goal at 41:29 late in the opening half. Brinley Bell worked the ball into the box and crossed a pass to Carmody, who buried the first goal of the season for Ferris State. The Bulldogs held their 1-0 advantage into the second half.

Kubacki faced only one shot on goal in the first half and made the save. Both teams attempted two corner kicks through the first 45 minutes of play.

Cedarville tied the game at 71:01 with a goal from Evania McCandless. Emily Walton assisted on the game-tying goal.

Later, at 86:49, the Bulldogs claimed a late lead courtesy of a goal from Haley Buckman. Bell recorded another assist, sending a pass through the box that Buckman headed past Ackley for the go-ahead goal. 

Cedarville once again tied the game with a late set piece goal at 89:12 of the final half. Audrey Nelson sent a corner kick to Payton Fraley, who crashed into the box and beat Kubacki for the Yellowjackets' second goal of the afternoon. With just 48 seconds left on the clock, neither team could break the tie.

Kubacki made five saves in the second half while facing seven shots on goal. Ackley recorded her lone save in the second half.

Bell recorded two assists in the season opener, which already matches her career-high total for a single season (two in 2023). Buckman scored her second collegiate goal (one in 2023) while Carmody's strike was the first goal of her career. 

FSU attempted eight total shots, finding the frame three times. Cedarville had 20 shot attempts with seven on goal. The Yellowjackets had six corner kicks compared to two for Ferris State, and the Bulldogs committed 12 fouls while Cedarville had six. 

Ferris State will play its first road game of the season on Sunday (Sept. 8) at Indianapolis beginning at 1 p.m. (ET).