NMU defends home turf again this weekend, looking to take a win back from Ashland University and Ohio Dominican University.
The ’Cats fell to Saginaw Valley University men’s soccer 1-0 Friday, Sept. 30 at NMU soccer field. Freshman goalie Filippo Torelli for the ’Cats obtained a season-high of nine saves.
The Wildcats fell to the Northwood Timberwolves 2-1 Sunday, Oct. 2 at NMU soccer field.
Head coach David Poggi said if the team learns from the losses, then they have a chance to have a different outcome.
“Every time we train, every time we play, we have time to get more experienced and learn from what we just did,” Poggi said. “It’s a good thing to have games that are difficult results, difficult opponents and other difficult variables that affect the contest.”
The Timberwolves held the lead throughout the game, which remained 2-0 until there were five minutes left of play. Freshman defensive midfielder Eric Suess scored his first goal of the season, putting one on the board for the ’Cats. Timberwolves freshman goalie Brendan Brown has recorded 33 saves so far this season, with a 0.85 save percentage, ranking him second in
the GLIAC. The win bumped Northwood up to second place in the GLIAC standings.
Poggi said it’s rewarding even though results were disappointing. He praised the team on always having a positive attitude.
“They’re both very good teams, well coached, and it’s a good measuring stick for us to see what we’re doing,” Poggi said. “I think we should get some confidence from that.”
Northern Michigan University looks to face the Ashland University Eagles, 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at the NMU Soccer Field.
The Eagles have a 2-6 GLIAC record. Earlier this season the teams faced off for NMU’s first conference matchup. Ashland University won 2-0 Friday, Sept. 9 at the NMU Soccer Field.
Eagles freshman forward Clemente Gomez-Morey scored in the 14th minute, and teammate freshman forward Andrew Pearson followed up with another goal for Ashland University eight minutes later. NMU outshot the Eagles 10-6 on goal. The ’Cats’ Torelli recorded three saves for his first game.
The Eagles are on a 4-game losing streak and are currently ranked No. 9 in the GLIAC with a 2-6 conference record. On the road Ashland University lost to Findlay and Tiffin this past weekend.
Freshman center back Ívar Árnason said the Wildcats have been exceeding expectations and are seeking redemption for recent losses.
“We have a lot of chemistry for a first year team,” Árnason said. “A lot of the coaches come to us after the games and say we surprise them because we’re such a new program.”
Northern Michigan University hits the field to play Ohio Dominican University at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 at the NMU Soccer Field.
The ’Cats are currently tied at No. 7 in the conference with Ohio Dominican University, with a 3-5 GLIAC record.
Earlier this season the Wildcats lost the second conference game to Ohio Dominican Panthers 1-0 Sunday, Sept. 11 at NMU soccer field.
Senior forward Brent Wahle for the Panthers scored the only goal of the game 25 minutes into play. It remained a scoreless second half. The ’Cats recorded 15 shots, three on goal.
Panthers sophomore forward Ryan Kasprzak is currently ranked No. 4 in goals in the GLIAC, with six so far this season. Kasprzak has 31 shots so far this season, placing him first in the conference division. Freshman right midfielder Sveinn Karlsson, a native of Iceland, said although it’s easy to communicate on the field, off the field is a little more challenging.
“It takes time for us to learn to say soccer for everything and not football, because in Europe this is just football to us,” Karlsson said. “We need fans to make some chants. In Iceland and everywhere else in Europe, every single player has their own chant. It’s fun.”
