Baron, Welch Score as Fillion Shuts Out Michigan Tech in Bulldog Soccer Victory

Postgame Highlights & Interview - Coach Henson
Postgame Interview - Morgan Fillion 
Postgame Interview - Katherine Welch 

Big Rapids, Mich. – Goalkeeper Morgan Fillion led the Ferris State University women's soccer squad to a 2-0 shutout victory over Michigan Tech Sunday (Oct. 20) in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play.

The Bulldogs (6-3-3, 5-2-1 GLIAC) recorded their first home victory of the season in Fillion's third shutout. Sophomore forward Isabella Baron scored her first goal of the year, and Katherine Welch scored her team-leading fourth goal.

"I'm really pleased with and proud of the team's effort," said FSU Head Coach Greg Henson. "Players that played the full 90 [minutes], players that came off the bench in a reserve role and the players that were on the sideline cheering on their teammates, it was a complete team win today."

FSU is in third place in the GLIAC standings after Sunday's win. Grand Valley State is currently in second place, and the Lakers will visit Big Rapids for a pivotal conference game next weekend.

In Sunday's victory, FSU scored the first goal of the game at 23:24. Natalia Leavens sent a pass across the box that found Baron, who fired a shot into the top-right corner past MTU goalkeeper Bri Barrows. Baron's first score of the year gave FSU a 1-0 lead, and Leavens collected her first collegiate point with an assist.

Welch scored at 62:53 to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage. She sent a pass into the box for Elliot Ford, who tipped the ball forward at the goal line. Welch crashed in to finish the scoring chance, her fourth goal of the year. Ford registered her first collegiate point with the assist.

MTU was unable to mount a comeback late in the game, and Fillion preserved the shutout in her fifth victory this year. For the game, she made five saves in 90 minutes of action.

"I'm really proud of our defense," Fillion said. "We played all the way through for a whole 90 minutes. The shutout today doesn't happen without all of the effort from every single person on and off the field."

As a team, FSU had nine shots on goal with Barrows saving seven of them. Both teams committed 13 fouls, with yellow cards given to MTU's Reilly Lovercheck and head coach Melissa Kuhar. Ella Wolf and Anna Thelen received yellow cards for the Bulldogs. Michigan Tech attempted six corner kicks in the game and Ferris State had zero. 

FSU will be back in action next weekend for a road GLIAC game against Davenport Friday (Oct. 25) at 2 p.m. (ET). Grand Valley State will come to Big Rapids for a 1 p.m. (ET) kickoff on Sunday (Oct. 27) at the Bulldog Soccer Field.