Over the weekend, the Wildcat men’s soccer team traveled to St. Cloud, Minn. to take on St. Cloud. The team was able to find a win, shutting out St. Cloud 2-0. 

This was the first time this season the Cats faced this GLIAC team, setting the tone early for the next match-up in a couple of weeks when St. Cloud comes to Marquette. 

Junior goalie, Asaf Kristal, had four saves in the game, and was key in keeping the ball out of the net the entire game. 

Junior forward Luca Rosen came away with one goal during the game, as well as three shots attempted. 

“Luca is a fantastic player. He’s cold as ice when it comes to finishing, but I think Luca will say that we’ve only probably got 50-60% of his ability. So he’s still got some levels to go, and if he levels up the way he potentially has then we’re going to be in good shape,” Head Coach Alex Fatovic said.

The other goal for the Wildcats was scored by sophomore and fellow forward Ian Weimer. Weimer and Rosen were assisted by sophomore midfielder Tyler Kowalczyk and sophomore forward Teun Van Gansewinkel. 

With the win over St. Cloud, the team now sits at 2-2 in the GLIAC and 3-2-3 overall on the season. With the standing, the team heads into a big weekend, both on and off the field. On Friday, the Wildcats will be playing for mental health as well as for Youth Sports Day as they take on No. 17 Saginaw Valley State.

“We’re focused on ourselves. We’re not focused on Saginaw. It’s just another game for us. They’re a good team. They’re perennial. We know that the guys know that’s not about them. It’s about us and what we do,” Fatovic said.

On Sunday, the team will celebrate Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day. The game will also be for Family Weekend, with concessions running deals. The team will follow the celebrations of staff and family by taking on Davenport at noon. 

“If the guys prepare the way they prepared for St. Cloud and do an even better job of their preparation, the recovery, and the things we put into that game. If they do the same thing this week, then they should have a shot, so it’s up to them,” Fatovic said.

Next week the team is back out on the road heading down to play at Saginaw Valley and Davenport, making it even more important for the Wildcats to set the tone this weekend. First the team will go to Davenport and then Saginaw Valley.

“It’ll be a really good test for our guys and hopefully we can get the community out and and pack the field and get some fans there to to help us cheer us along because it’s it’s going to be a tough game,” Fatovic said.