General 9/15/2025 9:08:00 AM

Weekend Recap in NMU Athletics: 9/11 - 9/14

Football comes up just short against D1 St. Thomas, volleyball finish weekend in Minnesota, the soccer's battle against tough regional opponents, and more!

Football

7-20 loss vs. St. Thomas [Recap]

The team held a 7-6 lead halfway through the fourth quarter against Division I St. Thomas, but two late touchdowns from the Tommies proved enough to down the Wildcats, 20-7. The matchup also marked a historic moment, as it was the first-ever game against a Division I opponent inside the Superior Dome since its opening in 1991. The defense was stellar, limiting a high-octane offense to 12.5 points below its season average. The unit generated three sacks, two pass breakups, and seven tackles for loss. They also held St. Thomas to just 54 rushing yards on 29 attempts, an average of 1.9 yards per carry.

Jax Hertel recorded a game-high and career-best 14 tackles, with seven of those solo. He also added a pass breakup and was a part of three tackles behind the line. Offensively, Duke Shovald completed 11-of-19 passes for 133 yards. Sebastian Boyea (49), Trevor Theuerkauf (43), and Isaac Olson (41) all broke 40 yards receiving. On the ground, NMU racked up 129 yards, led by Jahi Wood's 49. Wood was also the lone Wildcat to find the end zone.

Steve Mariucci's NMU Football Jersey to be Retired [Release]

Northern Michigan University is proud to announce the retirement of Steve Mariucci's iconic No. 18 Wildcat football jersey. The news was first revealed in a surprise video message from Mariucci's lifelong friend, Hall of Fame basketball coach and fellow NMU alum Tom Izzo, which aired on NFL Network's GameDay Morning on Sunday, September 14.

Mariucci's jersey will be officially raised to the rafters of the Superior Dome on Saturday, October 11, as a highlight of NMU's 50th Anniversary Celebration honoring the Wildcats' historic 1975 National Championship team.

Further details regarding the celebration weekend (October 9-11) can be found here.

Volleyball - Huskies Volleyball Classic

9/11: 0-3 loss vs. Barry [Recap]
9/12: 0-3 loss vs. Adelphi [Recap]
9/12: 0-3 loss vs. St. Cloud [Recap]
9/13: 0-3 loss vs. Minnesota Duluth [Recap]

In its fifth straight match against a reigning NCAA Tournament team to begin the 2025 season, the Northern Michigan volleyball team fell in straight sets to No. 17 Barry University on Friday afternoon at the Husky Volleyball Invitational, 21-25, 15-25, 17-25. For the Wildcats, Madison York paced the offense with 11 kills on an efficient .304 hitting clip, followed closely by Kaysie Bakke with nine kills. Setter Allie Barlow notched a double-double with 23 assists and 10 digs, while libero Liesl Haugen added eight digs.

The Northern Michigan volleyball team faced a challenging day on Friday at the Husky Volleyball Invitational, falling in straight sets in both matches of a doubleheader against Adelphi University and No. 10 St. Cloud State. Despite the tough outcomes, the Wildcats showcased strong efforts. Lauren Cardwell totaled 29 digs on the day, including a career-best 15 in the opening match. McKenzie Gruner led the team with 15 kills and 7.5 blocks, while freshman Kaylie McIntosh added nine kills, including a season-high six in the morning match against Adelphi. Northern recorded 16 team blocks but gave up 22 aces and 11 blocks on the day.

Despite a tightly contested match throughout, the Northern Michigan volleyball team fell to the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in straight sets, 22-25, 22-25, and 23-25. It was a highlight match for freshman Kaylie McIntosh, as she recorded 15 kills to lead all players. Her seven kills in the opening set were the most for a Wildcat in a single set so far this season. On the service line, Taylor Smaka impressed with five aces, tied for the second-most by a Wildcat over the last two seasons.

Women's Soccer

0-1 loss vs. Northwood [Recap]
0-0 draw vs. Cedarville [Recap]

The final weekend of non-conference featured a pair of match ups against regionally-ranked opponents (Northwood - 5th in the Midwest, Cedarville - 6th in the Midwest).

It was a relatively balanced first half against Northwood, as both teams registered four shot attempts. After forcing a turnover in the Wildcat third, the Mari Jackson finished off a slick passing play for the Timberwolves, scoring what would be the game winning goal 12 minutes into the second half.

The Wildcats and goalkeeper Jillian Thompson earned their second clean sheet of the season against Cedarville, as Thompson matched her season-high saves with five. The 'Cats had their opportunities to score, including a pair of quality chances in a dominant first half; Madison Bilbia got unlucky and hit the post just four minutes in, and Yellow Jacket Anna Taylor made a brilliant save on a Hannah Kastamo screamer that was labeled for the upper ninety.

Men's Soccer

0-0 draw vs. Lewis [Recap]
1-1 draw vs. Lake Erie [Recap]

The longest road trip of the season featured a pair of hard-fought draws against regionally-ranked opponents (Lewis - 6th in the Midwest, Lake Erie - 8th in the Midwest).

Against Lewis, Wildcat netminder Asaf Kristal had an impressive outing, earning his second shutout in an NMU shirt and recording a season-high five saves. This marked the first time Lewis was held scoreless in nine games, dating back to a 1-0 loss against Maryville at home on October 27, 2024. The Flyers out-shot the Wildcats 12-7, including five on target to NMU's two, and held NMU without a shot attempt while recording four of its own in the final 24 minutes of play, but the NMU defense stepped up, blocking two of those and forcing the others off target.

Against Lake Erie, The Wildcats got a goal from Teun Van Gansewinkel a half an hour into the game after Davian Gumbs made a brilliant effort to win the ball on the far touch line, beat an oncoming defender, and slide a pass to the unmarked Dutchman, who had a yawning cage to score. The Wildcats outshot the Storm 7-4, including holding Lake Erie to one shot attempt in the opening half, while both teams scored on their only shot on target. The Wildcat defense played incredibly today, holding the Storm to just two attempts through 84 minutes before Lake Erie connected on a wonder goal to steal a tie at home.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Kaysie Bakke: OH; 6' 1"; Junior

#21 Allie Barlow: S; 5' 9"; Junior

#3 Lauren Cardwell: DS/L; 5' 6"; Junior

#5 McKenzie Gruner: MB; 6' 2"; Senior

#16 Liesl Haugen: L/DS; 5' 7"; Junior

#4 Taylor Smaka: DS/L; 5' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

#12 Madison York: OPP; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#14 Kaylie McIntosh: OH; 6' 1"; Freshman

#15 Davian Gumbs: D; 5' 9"; Junior

#7 Teun Van Gansewinkel: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#7 Kaysie Bakke
: 6' 1"; Junior
: OH

#21 Allie Barlow
: 5' 9"; Junior
: S

#3 Lauren Cardwell
: 5' 6"; Junior
: DS/L

#5 McKenzie Gruner
: 6' 2"; Senior
: MB

#16 Liesl Haugen
: 5' 7"; Junior
: L/DS

#4 Taylor Smaka
: 5' 4"; Redshirt Freshman
: DS/L

#12 Madison York
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: OPP

#14 Kaylie McIntosh
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: OH

#15 Davian Gumbs
: 5' 9"; Junior
: D

#7 Teun Van Gansewinkel
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F