KENOSHA, Wis. — Off to its best GLIAC start since joining the league in 2018, Parkside women's soccer returns to Wood Road Field for two home matches this weekend, hosting No. 2 Grand Valley State on Friday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. CT and Ferris State on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 12 p.m. CT.
The Rangers are 5-1-1 in GLIAC play (16 points) and sit alone in second after a composed 2-0 win over Purdue Northwest on Sunday—Tristen Cross notched her first shutout as a Ranger, Steph Salmeron scored her first career goal, Emily Mikkelson added her third of the season, and Kate Brown tallied her third goal in the last two matches. Mikkelson continues to pace the attack and leads the GLIAC in assists (5) while ranking among the league's top five in points (15).
Friday, Oct. 17
No. 2 Grand Valley State at Parkside
1 p.m. CT | Wood Road Field | Kenosha, Wis.
Sunday, Oct. 19
Ferris State at Parkside
12 p.m. CT | Wood Road Field | Kenosha, Wis.
SCOUTING NO. 2 GRAND VALLEY STATE:
Grand Valley State is the GLIAC's only unbeaten team in conference action at 6-0 and has taken all 18 possible league points, riding a seven-match winning streak. When these sides met earlier this season in Allendale, Parkside pushed the nationally ranked Lakers for 70-plus minutes before falling 1-0 on a late finish—an exact, wire-to-wire type of contest that underscored the razor-thin margins between the programs. Expect GVSU to lean on a defense that has allowed just five goals all year and goalkeeper Macie Hunter, who leads the GLIAC with five shutouts. Up front, Sarah Fromm and Alli French headline an efficient attack; both rank among the league's top five in goals, with Fromm's 12 points sitting third in the GLIAC. GVSU is coming off a 2-1 win over Ferris State on Friday and kept the momentum rolling Sunday to extend its streak.
Parkside is 4-17-1 all time against Grand Valley State and 2-6 in Kenosha. The Rangers' most recent win in the series came in the 2023 GLIAC semifinal in Marquette; their last home win over the Lakers was in 2022.
SCOUTING FERRIS STATE:
Ferris State enters the week fourth in the GLIAC at 3-2-2 (11 points) after splitting results last weekend: a 2-1 loss to Grand Valley State on Friday followed by a 1-1 draw with Davenport on Sunday. The Bulldogs have been difficult to contain in the attacking third, generating consistent service and volume from wide areas and set pieces. Forward Katherine Welch leads the GLIAC in shots on goal (15), a sign of her direct threat in and around the box, while goalkeeper Korinne Ihrke sits among the conference leaders in shutouts. Look for a compact defensive shape from FSU, quick counters through Welch and the front line, and a willingness to turn restarts into chances.
Parkside is 4-9-1 all time against Ferris State and 3-5-2 at home. The Rangers won the most recent meeting 2-1 last season in Big Rapids, but are 1-8-1 over the last 10 in the series; their last home win over the Bulldogs came in 2013 (1-0 in overtime).
To keep up with Parkside women's soccer this week and beyond, visit parksiderangers.com/coverage.
