UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. -- Saginaw Valley State's Jennifer Muana scored the go-ahead goal with five seconds remaining in regulations to lift the Cardinals to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fairmont State on Saturday afternoon at Braddock Field.
 
Muana's game-winning goal was assisted by Madie Saleh and Zo Schultz as the goal went in from eight yards away after a pass to set up the opportunity.
 
Saginaw Valley, who went 12-4-4 and earned the No. 5 seed in last season's NCAA Midwest Regional, improved to 2-2 on the year with today's victory. Fairmont State falls to 1-2 on the year.
 
Fairmont State's Ari Christiansen helped give the Falcons a 1-0 lead in the 13^th minute after taking control of a loose ball in the Saginaw Valley box and netting an unassisted goal. Fairmont State would maintain their lead for the next 58 minutes of action before Muana scored her first goal of the day for the Cardinals in the 72^nd minute. The goal was set up by an assist from Allison Sims on a corner kick that Muana netted with a header.
 
After Saginaw Valley tied the game in the 72^nd minute, Christiansen came up with another excellent scoring opportunity for the Falcons at the 76:26 mark, but the shot was saved by Cardinal goalkeeper Ally Gaunt.
 
Statistically, Saginaw Valley held a 25-4 advantage in total shots, but just eight of the Cardinal attempts were on the mark as the Falcon defense turned in a great performance. SVSU spent a large part of the afternoon in its offensive end.
 
Saginaw Valley also held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks – all of which came in the second half.
 
In addition to both of Christiansen's shots being on goal, the Falcons also got shot attempts from Mackenzie Gillispie and Louise Welch on the offensive end.
 
In the Fairmont State goal, Taylor Kennedy put together another strong performance with a season-high six saves.
 
Fairmont State will now enter conference play on Wednesday evening at Wheeling University. Opening kick is set for 5 p.m.