MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University men's soccer team defeated the Quincy University Hawks by a decision of 1-0. Tommaso Lami scored a penalty kick in the 70th minute to secure the Wildcats its first win of the season.

The Wildcats improve to 1-1 overall on the 2023 campaign, and the Hawks fall to 0-2 to start its season.

Head Coach Alex Fatovic had this to say after today's match:

"Fantastic team effort for our first win of the season. It's never easy on a Sunday, but our boys responded to Thursday's disappointing performance like true professionals. Improvement in every area of the game combined with an all-out defensive masterclass was the key to the result. Now time to rest, recover, and get ready for a difficult away match at Lewis on Thursday."

Cat Nips

• Reigning GLIAC Freshman of the Year Tommaso Lami was the lone goal scorer in today's match. Tommy played 83 minutes and recorded four shots, three of which were on target.
• Goalkeeper Florian Palmowski recorded his first clean sheet in a Wildcat uniform, stopping all four shots on target he faced.
• Lami recorded three shots on target, and Isaac Ward registered one shot on target. Cian Tunney, Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin, and Noah Johnson each recorded a shot attempt.
• Beyond the keeper, captain Kalvin Glodz played all ninety minutes for the 'Cats. The next leaders in playtime were Jan Hoffmann (86), Alessandro Scialanga, Tommaso Lami (83), and Keegan Schmidt. 
• Both the Wildcats and the Hawks recorded eight shots and four shots on target. 
• The Wildcats received five yellow cards to the Hawks one, but the Hawks committed 13 fouls to the Wildcats nine.
• The Wildcats were whistled for offside twice, the Hawks once.

How It Happened
1st Half
Fernando Abascal thought he found goal after Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin sent a through ball to Fernando to find himself all alone with the keeper. Fernando hit his mark, but the lines judge ruled offside on the run.

2nd Half
After a booming goal kick from keeper Florian Palmowski, Fernando Abascal flicked a ball through to Tommaso Lami who beat his defender into the box, forcing the defender to foul and draw a penalty. Tommaso stepped up and made no mistake with the right foot, depositing the ball into the left corner for a goal, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

The Wildcats would hold onto the lead with stout defensive play, finishing the game with a 1-0 victory.

Up Next
The Wildcats will travel to Romeoville, Illinois, to face Lewis University on Thursday, September 7, before traveling to Crestview Hills, Kentucky, to square off against Thomas More university on Saturday, September 9.