Box Score MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Men's soccer team returned home this weekend to kick off against University of Wisconsin - Parkside. The Wildcats fought untill the very end, holding off the Rangers for the majority of the second half, but the Rangers would go on to win 2-1.
The Wildcats drop to 2-8-1 overall and 1-5 in the GLIAC, and the Rangers improve to 7-1-2 overall and 5-0-1 in the GLIAC.
The Rangers outshot the Wildcats 18-6, despite only beating the 'Cats by one goal.
Head coach
Alex Fatovic had this to say after the 1-2 decision in Marquette:
"Another tough day for the cats against a top team in Parkside. There is absolutely no drop in our effort, intensity and their fight for one another. However, the difference today is one team really displayed their quality in the final third and we didn't. Full credit to Parkside, they are very good and had two fantastic finishes, but also credit to the 'Cats for continuing to push on to the final whistle in search for the equalizer. I'm proud of the way we continue to approach this tough stretch and no doubt we'll be ready for Sunday."
Cat Nips
How It Happened
1st Half
Both teams started off the game with intense effort, but Parkside was able to get the first shot attempt. Goalkeeper
Bryce Beckley made a huge save to keep the score 0-0.
After seeking several shot opportunities by Parkside,
Cian Tunney made a solo dash down the side of the field, getting his team into the offensive zone, despite an unsuccessful attempt, Northern held off their opponents from rushing to the other end of the field.
As Parkside pressured the Wildcats in the defensive zone, freshman
Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin took matters into his own hands, showing off his best footwork as he ran end-to-end.
Northern produced a top tier shot attempt as
Jan Hoffmann redirected the ball with his head to
Logan Lazar, who passed it perfectly to
Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin, he was able to put it on net but was stopped by the Parkside goalkeeper.
At 35:12, Parkside sent a massive shot onto the Wildcat net, just grazing past Beckley's fingertips, the Rangers went up 1-0. The clock wound down and Parkside took the lead following the first half.
2nd Half
Parkside began the second half with full control over the ball and received a corner kick from the Northern zone, the Parkside player tried to curl the ball into the net in hopes a teammate could put in a header, but the ball was blocked by several NMU players, ending the Parkside chance to score.
The Rangers continued to capitalize on the Wildcat turnovers, leading them to another successful shot and goal at 55:16.
In the second portion of play, both teams remained dominant in the neutral zone, shutting down each other's chances to rush the ball.
As the ball went out of play in the Parkside zone,
Fernando Abascal took a corner kick, sending it right to
Keegan Schmidt, his shot was ultimately blocked by a Ranger player.
The clock ticked down but the Wildcat's were not ready to call it quits,
Cian Tunney sent a long pass to
Fernando Abascal who had endless space in the box. Abascal danced around the goalie for the first Wildcat goal at 85:21 (2-1).
Parkside ended the game with a win 2-1.
Up Next
The Wildcats return to the home field again on Sunday, October 8 at 1:00 p.m. against Purdue University Northwest.
