MICHIGAN — Saginaw Valley extended its winning streak to six matches with a dominant 3-0 victory over visiting Purdue Northwest on Friday. The Cardinals controlled the contest from start to finish, with Abby Ellis scoring twice to lead the regional powerhouse past the struggling visitors.
Madi Bajis opened scoring in the 14th minute, assisted by Rileigh Garbarz and Lauryn Fracassi, giving Saginaw Valley an early advantage. Ellis doubled the lead in the 38th minute with help from Emily Kolodin before adding an insurance goal in the 79th minute to seal the shutout.
Saginaw Valley (10-3-2) dominated possession throughout, outshooting Purdue Northwest 15-8 overall and 9-4 on target. The Cardinals' defense suffocated the visitors' attack, forcing Purdue Northwest goalkeeper to record six saves. Corner kicks were evenly distributed at five apiece, but Saginaw Valley converted its opportunities more efficiently.
Ellis proved instrumental in the Cardinals' offensive execution, combining her two goals with consistent pressure on the Purdue Northwest backline. The midfielder's second-half strike essentially ended any comeback hopes for the visitors, who managed just four shots on goal throughout the 90 minutes.
Purdue Northwest (5-8-2) struggled to generate offensive rhythm, with Addison Thomas and Nayla Pena combining for limited scoring chances. Sofia Camarillo received a yellow card for unsporting conduct in the 62nd minute as frustration mounted for the away side. The visitors' defense was repeatedly