GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University men's soccer team embarked on a weekend trip to Grand Rapids to square off against the Davenport Panthers for a GLIAC playoff quarter-finals match. The Wildcats season came to an end, suffering a 3-0 loss.

The Wildcats got off to a great start in the opening half, as Cian Tunney thought he scored the opening goal of the match, but the officials came together and determined that the ball had not crossed the line before a DU defender could clear. The 'Cats suffered one goal in the first half, and we're right in the match heading into the half.

The Panthers scored two goals in succession in under 10 minutes to take a 3-0 lead, and the match was then out of reach for the 'Cats. Despite pushing for goals heading late into the match, the 'Cats couldn't solve the keeper, and the match would go down as a 3-0 loss.

Alex Fatovic had this to say after the defeat:

"Disappointing end to a disappointing season. We had a great game plan and started very well, had a goal cleared off the line, and were in control of the match, but much like the rest of the season, an untimely individual error forced us to chase the game. I give our guys a ton of credit for how they never gave up in this game or all season, but we must learn from this year to get better and have a more killer instinct. Best of luck to our wonderful senior class and onward and upward for our young program. Up the cats!"

Cat Nips

• Jan Hoffmann led the team in shots with three, and three separate 'Cats recorded shots on target.
• Goalkeeper Bryce Beckley made four saves
• Aside from the keeper, five separate 'Cats played the full ninety; Scheibal, Glodz, Hoffmann, van den Berg, and Schmidt
• The 'Cats were outshot 15-13, with three on target to DU's nine
• Davenport recorded seven corner kicks to the Wildcats' four
• Davenport received four yellow cards to NMU's one, a the Panthers recorded 12 fouls to NMU's 11

How It Happened
1st Half 
The Wildcats thought they struck first in the opening minutes, as Cian Tunney beat the keeper and the ball was rolling towards the goal line. The 'Cats celebrated immediately as if a goal had just been scored, but the official ruled otherwise.

The Panthers struck first at the 15:30 mark, as Andrew Dykstra received a pass from Vitalis Takawira Jr all alone in the box, and made his effort count.

The 'Cats had two more supreme opportunities to score, first with a free kick from just outside the penalty box, then a corner kick curled into the box but was cleared away from danger.

In the dying minutes of the frame, Jan Hoffmann took a glorious strike that just sailed over the box, inches from tying the game.

The Wildcats went into half being outshot 9-7, with DU recording five on target to NMU two. Both teams received a yellow card, and the Wildcats had three corners to DU one.

2nd Half
The 'Cats quickly fell behind by a few, after quick strikes from Josh Cook and Andrew Dykstra six minutes apart extended the Panther lead to three with just over 20 minutes remaining,

Jan Hoffmann stepped up to take a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box, and registered a great strike to the back of the ball, but the keeper was in position and made the save. 

Hoffmann earned another great opportunity for a goal from a set piece. The 'Cats moved quickly and Hoffmann made a great run from left to right and fired a shot that deflected off a Panther defender and into the hands of the keeper. 

Noah Johnson had maybe the 'Cats best opportunity in the match with five minutes remaining, as the ball rolled through the box and onto the left foot of Johnson who made great contact, but the keeper made a great sprawling save.