The game started with both teams battling for possession, trading control of the ball in a competitive back-and-forth. The Blue Devils struck first, as Isabelle McCord found the back of the net at the 29:41 mark, giving Sault Area an early 1-0 lead.

However, Alpena quickly responded. With 20:15 left in the first half, senior Faith Dragiewicz stepped up for a penalty kick and calmly buried it, evening the score at 1-1 heading into halftime.

Despite the even score, head coach Gregg Supiran felt the team needed to regroup.

“I thought the girls performed well for the first game,” Supiran said. “The first half was a little sluggish, but as the game progressed, we became more organized and settled into our roles. They played a great second half.”

News Photo by Leslianne Johns Alpena senior Faith Dragiewicz runs the ball up the field in an attempt to make a goal during Friday’s game in Alpena.

With 26:19 left in the second half, junior Ezra Peterson netted Alpena’s go-ahead goal, sending energy through the Wildcats’ lineup. Then, with 7:56 remaining, Peterson assisted sophomore Anna Skiba on a rebound shot, pushing Alpena’s lead to 3-1.

As the clock wound down, Dragiewicz struck again — this time off an assist from freshman Peyton Weir with just 3:08 to go — sealing the Wildcats’ 4-1 win.

Sault’s goalkeeper put on a strong display, holding off numerous shots, but the relentless pressure from Alpena proved too much in the end.

Supiran credited the second-half dominance to tactical adjustments.

“Some of the movements off the ball and the spacing — we went over that,” Supiran said. “Just being a little more aggressive to the ball helped a lot.”

News Photo by Leslianne Johns Peyton Weir kicks the ball to another teammate. Alpena plays Sault Area on Friday, winning 4-1.

The Wildcats won’t have much time to rest as they return to the field Saturday morning for another matchup against Fremont.

“Hopefully the girls go home, get a good night’s sleep, and prepare their bodies for another game,” Supiran said. “It’s always a psychological and mental thing too, getting up on a Saturday right after another game. Hopefully they respond in a positive way.”

With their first win under their belt, the Wildcats look to build momentum early in the season and face off against Fremont at 11 a.m.