A balanced first half saw nearly identical numbers for both teams in many categories. The Wildcats took six shots in the opening half to NU's five, but both squads put four on target. Each team recorded a single corner kick, while there were four saves defensively for both teams.

Dominating the offense most of the second half, NMU outshot the Timberwolves 11-4 in the second period. Despite the number of opportunities, the Wildcats were not able to find the back of the net until the 86th minute of play.

In the 83rd minute, a handball in the box resulted in a penalty kick for junior forward Aimee Colla (Muskegon, Wisconsin), but the kick sailed high over the goal.

In the 86th, Colla received another chance on a cross from freshman forward Jenna Halonen (Howell, Michigan). Colla was able to get a head on the ball putting it into the goal, giving NMU the late, 1-0, advantage.

It was Halonen's turn for a penalty kick in the 89th minute after a penalty was called in the box. The freshman recorded her team-leading third goal of the season with a shot over the keeper's hands into the next. The 2-0 lead with under a minute to play would be too much for the Timberwolves to overcome, giving the Wildcats their first victory of the season.

NMU held their opponent under 10 shots for the first time in 2017, allowing freshman goalkeeper Brianna Frontuto (Luxemburg, Wisconsin) to record her first career shutout. Frontuto's six saves in the contests brings her season total to 32, fifth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

The Wildcats head back onto the road with a pair of conference matchups with Purdue Northwest University and Davenport University. Friday, NMU takes on PNW Friday at 2 p.m. before heading to Davenport Sunday at noon.


MARQUETTE---Northern Michigan University Men's Soccer (2-3-1, 0-2 GLIAC) dropped their second match up the weekend, 2-0, to Northwood University (3-2-1, 0-1 GLIAC) Sunday afternoon to end a four-match home stand.
 

The Timberwolves controlled much of the opening half offensively, outshooting the Wildcats 10-5. A free kick 10 feet beyond the top of the box by NU's Bryan Lawson put NMU behind in the 26th minute after it hit the crossbar and bounced into the goal. 

Less than a minute later in the 27th minute, the Timberwolves went up a pair of goals and would take that lead into the half. 

In a more aggressive second half, the teams combined for 17 fouls in the second half compared to 10 in the opening half. Both teams recorded five shots in the second half, but neither was able to find the back of the next giving NU the 2-0 victory over the Wildcats. 

Offensively, three shots came from junior forward Sam Popp (Northville, Michigan) who leads the squad with 13 shots in 2017. Freshman forward Birkir Baldursson (Kopavogur, Iceland) and sophomore forward David Feldmann (Hamilton, Montana) each recorded a pair of shots in the loss. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Filippo Torelli (Parma, Italy) faced eight shots on goal making six saves. His season total moved to 13. 

The Wildcats hit the road next for conference matchups against Purdue Northwest University and Davenport University. NMU takes on PNW Friday at 4:30 p.m. before a matchup with Davenport Sunday at 3 p.m.