Wildcat Men's, Women's Soccer Lose Heartbreakers
The Northern Michigan University soccer teams both lost tough matches to nationally-ranked opponents on Friday, with the men's team losing to No. 5 Saginaw Valley State, 1-0, and the women losing to No. 7 Grand Valley State, 2-1.
MEN'S GAME RECAP BY NMU SPORTS INFORMATION
MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Wildcats welcomed No. 5 Saginaw Valley State to town for a high-profile GLIAC matchup on Friday. In what was a competitive effort from the start, the Cardinals scored in the closing minute, making for a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat for NMU.
The Wildcats are now 3-4-2 and 2-2-1 in the conference.
A scoreless first half was reflected well into the second stanza, but the Cardinals captialized on an opportunity in front of the net at 89:22 for a 1-0 win over the Wildcats.
"Absolutely heartbroken for our boys today," Coach Fatovic said after the game. " They put in a top-level shift today against one of the best teams in the country and proved again we can play with the best. Saginaw State is very good and showed why they deserve their top-5 ranking. However, in a match where we pulled all the right levers today to make things difficult and to create enough chances to win, we again are on the wrong side of a very tough lesson. We know moving forward, nobody is going to want to play Northern Michigan, so now it's time to take advantage of 9 days between matches, get healthy, and get ready for another top 25 opponent in Parkside."
Throughout much of the start to the half, neither team could put together a productive opportunity.
Saginaw Valley started to find some chances, with a free kick near the box at the 37th minute. Alex Weaver made a highlight diving save right before the goalline to keep the Cardinals off the board.
The Wildcats' competitive and gritty play kept the game scoreless at the half against No. 5 SVSU. The Cardinals led in shots 5-2 and corner kicks 1-0. Alex Weaver stopped both shots sent in his direction.
Keegan Schmidt had a nice window in the 62nd minute from just outside the box, but his left-footed attempt sailed left of the goal. The game remained scoreless with less than 30 minutes of action left.
The 'Cats saw the best chance for either side just a few minutes later with a 3-on-1 opportunity, but they were unable to produce a shot as the ball, defenders, and goalkeeper collapsed in front of a congested net.
In what looked like it was headed for a scoreless draw, the game turned in the final minute as SVSU's Chidie Nnolim had daylight in front of the net and scored the game-winning score.
The final minute goal sunk NMU 1-0 in a heartbreaking defeat.
NMU was outshot 8-6 and 3-2 in shots on goal. Uriarte and Lami had the shots on goal for the Wildcats. Northern had just one corner kick on the day to Saginaw's four.
The Wildcats will host Parkside next Sunday, October 2nd in a home GLIAC matchup.
WOMEN'S GAME RECP BY NMU SPORTS INFORMATION
ALLENDALE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University women's soccer team played under the lights at Grand Valley State on Friday in a top-25 showdown and despite a valiant effort, came up short.
The Wildcats received a red-card halfway through the first half and had to finish the contest a player down. On the road against the No. 7 team in the country, the 'Cats held strong, but the Lakers were able to break through nearing a minute left in the game for a 2-1 win.
GVSU led 1-0 at the break, but Justina L'Esperance evened things up just two minutes into the second half. It was her 7th goal this season.
GVSU's late goal and victory pushes them to first in the GLIAC while the 'Cats now sit in second. The two teams will meet again in Marquette on October 9.
GVSU got on the board first in the 14th minute when Taylor Reid found a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper and was able to work her way into an opportunity and converted.
The Wildcats were on the short end of the stick after the 25th minute, as they were handed a red card leading NMU to be down a player for the remainder of the contest and having to fight an even steeper uphill battle.
GVSU led 1-0 as halftime arrived. Each team managed three shots, with the lone shot on goal find the net for the Lakers.
Just a couple minutes into action in the second half, Molly Pistorius found Justina L'Esperance who fired a left-footed laser past the diving goalkeeper to tie it up 1-1.
In the 65th minute, the Lakers crowded the net and were presented with a great opportunity, but Shenae Kreps came up with an incredible save in net to keep it knotted at one apiece.
As the clock rounded 80 minutes, GVSU continued to imply pressure, but Kreps came up with timely stop after timely stop.
Kennedy Bearden finally broke through for GVSU with less than two minutes to go and the Lakers would hold on for a 2-1 victory.
Justina L'Esperance scored her 7th goal of the season to lead the team and the GLIAC.
Shenae Kreps managed four big saves in net.
GVSU led in shots 18-6 and had 2 corners to NMU's zero.
The Wildcats will stay downstate to take on Davenport on Sunday, September 25. The opening kick is scheduled for noon.
