Northern Michigan Men's Soccer Gets Tie On Road
This story was written by NMU Sports Information
QUINCY, Ill. - With second-half goals from Baruc Delgado and Keegan Schmidt for Northern Michigan and a pair of second-half goals from Quincy, the Wildcats and Hawks played to a 2-2 tie on Sunday, August 28.
After a scoreless first half, each team found their offensive rhythm in the second. After Quincy got on the board at 50', NMU responded with goals ten minutes apart from Baruc Delgado and Keegan Schmidt to take a 2-1 lead.
The Hawks would fight back, as they scored off a corner kick with four minutes to go. That 2-2 score would hold as the match ended in a tie.
"Very pleased with our effort today on short rest against a strong direct Quincy team, but it's one of those draws that feels more like a loss after conceding so late on," Coach Fatovic commented after the match. "We have to do a better job of putting teams away with our finishing, but for us to fall down a goal early in the second half and respond with two goals says a lot about this team and the positive direction we are heading. Now it's time to rest, recover and get ready for another tough week ahead."
After even play to start the game, the Wildcats found themselves with the first good scoring opportunity 13 minutes in, as Triston Nelson received a crosser in the box, but the shot attempt bounced left of the net.
Nearing the halfway point of the first half, the Hawks found an opportunity shortly after a corner kick, but goalkeeper Alex Weaver came up with a big diving stop to keep QU off the board. The 'Cats fended off another corner kick following Weaver's save.
In the 39th minute, Baruc Delgado sent a crosser and Noah Johnson attempted to find the net with a header, but the attempt sailed just high.
The game remained scoreless as the buzzer sounded for the halftime break. It was a defensive-minded first half, with the Wildcats recording four shots and the Hawks managing one.
Quinn Putt had NMU's first shot on goal at 48', but the Quincy netminder stopped the header attempt.
The Hawks would break the scoreless tie shortly after on a goal from Kamou Harris.
Northern would get it back at 60', as Tomasso Lami placed a perfect corner kick to teammate Baruc Delgado who headed it home to even up the score. It was the second goal of the weekend for the freshman.
The 'Cats would continue to apply pressure and take the lead, as Keegan Schmidt weaved through multiple defenders to find some daylight. He fired a laser top left for the score at 71' to give NMU a 2-1 edge.
Ben Whitmore would capitalize on a corner kick for the Hawks in the winding minutes to tie it up at two apiece.
The 2-2 score would hold and the teams would finish the contest with a tie.
A Look at the Stats
Freshman Baruc Delgado scored his second goal in as many games to start his collegiate career.
Keegan Schmidt added a goal, the second of his career.
Tomasso Lami assisted on Delgado's header to pick up his first collegiate point.
NMU outshot QU 12-8, but the Hawks held a 5-3 edge in shots on goal.
The Wildcats will now prepare for their home opener, as the Lewis Flyers visit Marquette for a Thursday, September 1 matchup at 3 p.m. from the NMU Soccer Field.
