MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University men's soccer team dropped its home contest, against the defending GLIAC champions the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals, by a 1-0 decision.

The Cardinals scored late in the first half, and the Wildcats were unable to find the answer despite last-ditch efforts in the final five minutes. The 'Cats came close to tying the game in the dying minutes, as Cian Tunney had a solid strike from just outside the goal area that he flicked into the keeper, who was in the right place at the right time.

The Wildcats fall to 2-3-1 overall and 1-1 in GLIAC play, and the Cardinals improve to 3-2-1 overall with a 1-0-1 GLIAC record.

Head coach Alex Fatovi had this to say about his teams performance:

"Obviously disappointed in the end result today. We let a massive opportunity slip through our hands, however I'm not disappointed in our performance at all. Our boys came to play, stuck to the game plan and possessed very well against the defending champs. The difference was they finished their 1 clear moment, and we didn't. Now we must focus on recovery and get ready for an absolutely critical road trip at PNW and Parkside. Up the cats!"

Cat Nips

• Cian Tunney recorded two shots on goal, and Jan Hoffmann recorded one
• Goalkeeper Florian Palmowski made four saves on five shots faced
• All but four of the starters for the Wildcats played the full 90 minutes
• As a team, the Wildcats were outshot 10-7, with SVSU recording five shots on target to NMU's three
• Both teams were awarded two corner kicks
• The Cardinals were whistled for 17 fouls to the Wildcats 13, including four yellow cards for the Cardinals and one for the Wildcats

How It Happened
1st Half
The best chance from either team came from Saginaw, who made no mistake to finish its chance and give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead in the dying minutes of the first half. 

The half wound up being largely even, with Saginaw holding the shots advantage 5-3, and both teams commiting eight fouls. The Wildcats held the corner advantage with two to the Cardinals zero, and the Cardinals committed two yellow card infractions to the Wildcats none.

2nd Half
The second half was largely controlled by the Cardinals, as they controlled shots 7-2 and shots on goal 3-2. The Cardinals were awarded two corner kicks, the Wildcats were whistled for offside once, and the Cardinals committed one yellow card infraction to the Wildcats one.

The 'Cats were surging in the final two minutes, eagerly attacking to attempt to tie the match. A ball into the box landed on the foot of Cian Tunney, who was able to get a clean strike on the ball, but the goalkeeper was in the right place at the right time to make the save to steal the win.

Up Next
The 'Cats are on the road, traveling to Hammond, Indiana, where they face off against the Purdue Northwest Pride on Friday, September 22, at 4 p.m.