FRESHMEN RULE: Wildcats Rally Past Peacocks
This story waas writen by NMU Sports Information
MARQUETTE, Mich. - Four second-half goals from freshmen helped the Wildcats rally back from a 2-0 halftime deficit as they defeated Upper Iowa 4-2 to start GLIAC play. NMU is now 2-2-1 on the young season and 1-0 in the GLIAC.
The 'Cats found themselves down 2-0 at halftime despite creating many more first-half opportunities.
Northern took it up a notch in the second half, as Tomasso Lami scored twice including the game-winner for NMU and Jan Hoffmann and Baruc Delgado also scored.
"I'm very proud of the performance of the team because we showed that we'll never give up," Tomasso Lami commented after the contest. "Being down two goals, we worked together and with passion and organization, we turned the game around proving that we are a very tough team to beat. I'm very happy for my first brace and I hope that will be the first of many."
The Wildcats controlled play throughout, outshooting UIU 20-2 in the contest and managing 11 corners while holding the Peacocks without one.
"Finally the emphatic win we have been looking for after creating so many chances in our first five games," Coach Alex Fatovic said following the game. " Our scouting report was spot on, we knew they'd present some challenges in transition and counter us with their fast wingers, but for us to fall down 2-0 like that was unacceptable in how we play, especially when we prepared for it."
"However, with a few adjustments and our strong team culture, we knew it was a matter of time until we broke through. What a fantastic offensive four-goal effort to start 1-0 in the GLIAC. Now time to rest, recover, and start getting ready for a massive conference game on Sunday at home vs St Cloud."
The Peacocks scored on their first shot of the game in the 15th minute, as Frider Blunck gave UIU a 1-0 lead.
Upper Iowa stretched the lead to 2-0 with five minutes to go in the opening half. Frider Blunck worked his way around the defense for his second goal of the afternoon.
Despite the 2-0 deficit at the break, NMU saw moments of opportunity, leading in shots 9-2 and corner kicks 10-0.
Jan Hoffmann netted his first career goal in the 53rd minute on an NMU penalty kick. Less than a minute later, Isaac Ward had a chance to tie it up, but his shot hit the post.
As the energy continued to rise in the second half, Tomasso Lami capitalized on a penalty kick to tie it up 2-2.
Tomasso Lami led NMU all the way back to a 3-2 advantage in the 74th minute off a beautiful side-step goal. Cian Tunney added an assist on the play.
Baruc Delgado put the Peacocks away in the 87th minute, besting the goalkeeper to the far side to wrap up a four-goal second half for the 'Cats and a 4-2 GLIAC win.
The 'Cats got goals from four freshmen. Tomasso Lami scored his first two collegiate goals including the game-winner. Baruc Delgado buried his 3rd of the season to lead NMU and Jan Hoffmann added first goal of his career.
NMU outshot the Peacocks 20-2 including a 12-2 edge in shots on goal.
NMU led in corners 11-0.
The Green and Gold dominated play in the 2nd half, outshooting UIU 11-0.
Northern will host St. Cloud State on Sunday at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 11 at the NMU Soccer Field.
