NMU Soccer Shuts Out New GLIAC Opponent, 2-0
Northern Michigan University Men's Soccer scored two goals in the second half to defeat Upper Iowa University 2-0 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action Sunday.
The teams were scoreless through the first half, but the Wildcats took a lead early in the second half.
Four minutes into the second half, senior Luca Lippert (Langen, Germany) crossed the ball from the right side of the field into the middle to junior Vegard Ervall (Trondheim, Norway). Ervall was able to then head the ball past the UIU goalkeeper to score his second goal this season.
The teams were scoreless through the first half, but the Wildcats took a lead early in the second half.
It was Lippert's first assist of the season.Freshman Francisco Espinoza (Buenos Aires, Argentina) extended the NMU lead in the 65th minute.
After a Peacock foul, NMU was given a free kick along the sideline about 50 yards away from the goal.
Espinoza booted the free kick to the goal which Upper Iowa's goalkeeper misplayed, allowing the ball to sail into the net for his first career goal and gave the Wildcats a 2-0 lead, and the eventual 2-0 victory.
As a team, NMU outshot the Peacocks 19-12, including an 11-4 advantage in the second half. The Wildcats also prevented any corner kick opportunities for Upper Iowa in the second half while taking four.
Freshman Keegan Schmidt (Bettendorf, Iowa) ended the match with four shots. Espinoza and sophomore Kaffie Kurz (Paynesville, Liberia) both added three shots. Ervall and seniors Lewis Murray (Edinburgh, Scotland) and Callum Olpin (Norwich, England) had two shots each.
In goal, Patrick Restum (Okemos, Mich.) tallied six saves and picked up his first victory this season.
The Wildcats improve to 3-3 on the season and are now 2-0 in the league.
NMU will now hit the road and look to make it three straight GLIAC victories by visiting Ashland University Friday. On Sunday, the team visits Davenport University.
