It was a full afternoon of college soccer on Sunday in Marquette, as the Northern Michigan University men's and women's teams both played at the NMU Soccer Field. The NMU men's team settled for a 1-1 tie with the Davenport Panthers, and the NMU women's team lost to Michigan Tech, 1-0.
The below stories and photos are courtesy of NMU Sports Information.
WOMEN'S GAME RECAP
MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University Women's soccer team faced off against its Copper Country rival, the Michigan Tech Huskies, playing to a 1-0 defeat Sunday afternoon in Marquette.
The Wildcats (3-4-4, 3-3-1 GLIAC) dominated the Huskies, outshooting them 23-7, amassing 10 corner kicks to the Huskies' none, and possessing the ball in the MTU end 70% of the time when NMU had the ball.
"I thought we created enough [chances], but we weren't good enough in front of goal," added head coach Erin Egolf in a post-game interview. "We didn't have anyone take responsibility today for putting the ball in the back of the net… We were in their half for most of the game, and we didn't get it done."
With seven games remaining in the regular season, and only two of those at home, coach Egolf says it's going to come down to "individual responsibility" for the Wildcats to score more goals and garner crucial league points before the start of the GLIAC tournament.
"We're not talking about freshmen, we're talking about juniors and seniors who we know can produce, and we are putting them in situations to produce, [but] it's not happening. They have to find a way."
The Huskies (2-8-2, 2-4-1 GLIAC) got a wonder goal from Olivia Gette, who scored a wind-aided worldie off a free kick from just 10 yards inside the Wildcat half. Husky goalkeeper Bri Barrows made five saves to pick up the shutout, the first of the season.
Today's result snaps an eight-game unbeaten streak for the Wildcats over the Huskies, and the first time the team has lost to Michigan Tech in Marquette since August 30, 2018, another 1-0 decision.
MEN'S GAME RECAP
MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU men's soccer team settled for a 1-1 draw against the Davenport Panthers.
The Wildcats (4-2-4, 3-2-1 GLIAC) got a goal from Luca Rosen in the 68th minute after he drew a red card from just outside the box and converted on his free kick. The 'Cats only held the lead for two minutes, as goalkeeper Beau Hudd sent a free kick into the box that bounced around before finding the head of Ryan Sheffer.
NMU had 20 minutes to find the back of the net with a man up, firing 10 shots in the final 15 minutes and generating a handful of quality chances, but the Panthers were able to escape unscathed. Despite being up a man, the 'Cats also had to deal with 30 MPH wind gusts into their face for the entire second half.
"We got the goal, we were up a man, and at that point I thought 'let's see this out'. [Their goal] came off a silly foul, and we knew all game that the wind was blowing in our face to end the game, and we wanted to limit free kicks. When you give a team service after service after service, things are bound to happen."
Rosen potted another goal today, extending his goal streak to three games with five in his past six. Rosen also added ten shots today, breaking his previous season high of nine.
"He's finding his groove [at the right time] and finishing on his chances, we just have to keep him going."
Goalkeeper Asaf Kristal had another outstanding day, making ten saves, and posting back-to-back outings with double-digit saves.
The Panthers (1-5-4, 0-3-3 GLIAC) extend its unbeaten streak to three games, with these two teams meeting each other on Friday next weekend to start a string of three road games for the 'Cats.
"We got into a typical tough, physical GLIAC game. That team hasn't lost in three games; they may be at the bottom of the table, but they're in it and fighting. Now we have to turn around and play them on the road on Friday. It'll be a tough challenge for us, but our guys will be up for it."
