NMU Men's Soccer Upsets Tiffin In GLIAC Quarters
This story was written by NMU Sports Information The Wildcat offense took nearly 25 minutes to find a rhythm taking just two shots during the span, while the Dragons recorded five. Despite trailing 8-4 in shots at the half, NMU gained the lead in the 34th-minute courtesy of a goal from junior forward Sam Popp (Northville, Michigan). Freshman defender Isaac Wigermo (Gothenburg, Sweden) received the pass from the corner, tapping it back to Popp. The junior brought the ball back to his right and bent the ball into the upper left corner, just beyond the reach of the TU keeper. Early in the second half, Tiffin threatened with three corner kicks and a pair of shots in the opening seven-minutes of the half. The second shot in the half for the Dragons went on the scoreboard after hitting post and bouncing into the goal. With just one combined shot over the next 20 minutes of action, both squads were looking to gain the advantage late. In the 72nd-minute, freshman forward Birkir Baldursson (Kopavogur, Iceland)made a sliding kick from outside the top of the box that slid into the left corner for his fourth goal of the season. Three shots in the final 10 minutes were not enough for the Dragons as the Wildcats secured the upset in their first postseason match in the program's two-year history. Sophomore goalkeeper Filippo Torelli (Parma, Italy) made a pair of saves in the final three minutes, including one that he deflected over the goal as time expire. NMU now travels to Midland, Michigan, for their semifinal matchup with two-seed Saginaw Valley State University (12-3-1, 9-2-1 GLIAC). |