ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The Northern Michigan University men's soccer team opened up its road trip in Romeoville, Illinois, to square off against the Lewis University Flyers, playing ninety minutes to a 0-0 draw.

The Wildcats record now turns to 1-1-1 after three contests, and the Flyers remain winless in its first three contests, holding a record of 0-1-2.

Head coach Alex Fatovic had this to say after the Wildcats performance: 

"Well earned result on the road against a tough, experienced Lewis squad. Florian is obviously man of the match with some massive saves including the penalty, but it's the effort, grit and fight that continues to impress me with this group. We certainly need to clean some things up as we head into the next game, but we'll take the point on the road and get ready for a tough Thomas More team on Saturday."

Cat Nips

• Goalkeeper Florian Palmowski was the difference maker in the match, stopping all five shots on goal, including one penalty kick late in the contest. Three of his five shots saved came from one-on-one situations from just outside the penalty box.
• Flo now has two clean sheets in his last two starts, making a combined nine saves over the last two matches. 
• Both Fernando Abascal and Jan Hoffmann recorded a shot on goal for the WIldcats.
• The starters were taxed with long minutes, as eight of the stariting 11 played 80+ minutes, with five playing the full 90 minutes.
• The Flyers outshot the Wildcats 12-9, and recorded five shots on target to NMU's two.
• The Wildcats committed 14 fouls to the Flyers 10, but the Flyers were charged with five yellow cards to the Wildcats three.
• The Wildcats had a wide edge in corner kick opportunities, with nine corners to the Flyers two.

How It Happened
1st Half
The Wildcats were tested early, as a Lewis forward completed a through ball to send a teammate one-on-one with the keeper, Florian Palmowski. Flo came out and made a great challenge, sprawling to the right to use his right hand to keep the game scoreless.

In the final handful of minutes, the Wildcats got its best chance of the evening. Cian Tunney broke through the defense just inside the box, used his left boot for the strike, but sent the chance wide by the right post.

2nd Half
At the 55th minute, goalkeeper Florian Palmowski was tasked with making another crucial save against an oncoming attacker, standing his ground once again to direct the reboundaway from danger and keep the game scoreless.

The Flyers were awarded a penalty kick in the 59th minute after an NMU hand ball was called. Justin Darlage stepped up to take the penalty, but Florian Palmowski anticipates the attempt correctly and makes the sprawling stop to keep the scoreless tie.

Another quality chance came late in the game for the Wildcats, as a streaking Fernando Abascal beat a defender to receive a pass up the line and get a good look at goal, but ultimately sent the chance wide.

A late Wildcat free-kick from outside the box, along with two corner kicks, inside the final three minutes would be the last chances the Wildcats would have at goal before the final whistle blew, finalizing the 0-0 draw. 

Up Next
The Wildcats continue the road trip on Saturday, when the green and gold travels to Crestview Hills, Kentucky, to square off against Thomas More University. Kick-off is set for 5 p.m. ET.