QUINCY, Ill. - The Northern Michigan men's soccer team recorded its second straight shutout to start the season, recording a 2-0 victory over the Quincy Hawks on Sunday afternoon.

Avenging a 1-0 defeat to Quincy last year in Marquette, the Wildcats look hungry and up to any challenge early on. It's the first time NMU has started 2-0 in the nine-year history of the program. 

NMU's first tally came from captain Tommaso Lami in the 23rd minute of action. Working with the ball in the corner, Lami worked his way around the defender and sent a strike to the far corner of the net. Freshman Teun Van Gansewinkel scored his first career goal in the 67th minute, a step back to create separation inside the 18-yard box that opened a window to the net in which he converted. 

"Very proud of the way we managed that 1-0 lead at halftime to close out the win," said coach Alex Fatovic after the win. "Huge congratulations to Tommaso Lami for scoring his first goal back from injury and Teun van Gansewinkel for hitting his first career goal."

Northern recorded 17 shots from eight different players on the afternoon to just six total shots from the Hawks. The Green and Gold sent eight shots on target to only a pair from the home team. The visitors also led in corners 6-1, another indicator of the commanding play from NMU throughout the match.

"It was an absolute master class performance from everyone," added Fatovic. " We started 8 freshmen and at times it looked like we had 8 seniors out there. The road doesn't get any easier with Lewis coming to town Thursday, but for now we enjoy this, recover and get ready for our home opener on Thursday afternoon! 

Freshman goalkeeper Nils Cedergren picked up his second shutout in as many attempts to open his career, becoming the first Wildcat in program history to record back-to-back shutouts to start a career. 


Up Next
The 2-0 Wildcats will host Lewis on Thursday, September 12 at 2 p.m. in the home opener, followed by a meeting with Thomas More on Saturday, September 14 at noon.