By Journal Sports Staff
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — The offense came up dry for the fifth straight game as the Northern Michigan University men’s soccer team lost 2-0 at St. Cloud State on Sunday afternoon.
The Wildcats fell to 2-7-1 overall and 1-4 in the GLIAC as this was a conference match.
NMU actually outshot the Huskies 20-13, including 8-6 in shots on goal, but St. Cloud netminder Dylan De Baldo was up to the task, stopping all eight shots he saw. Northern’s Florian Palmowski made four saves. Northern also held a decisive 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The Wildcats’ Fernando Abascal led all players with five shots and four on goal, though teammate Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin also had five shots without any on goal.
Substitute midfielder Noah Johnson of NMU also was able to roll up three shots with one on goal as Cian Tunney, Finn van den Berg and Isaac Ward each had two shots.
St. Cloud established a 1-0 lead relatively early in the 17th minute, but didn’t score insurance until the final 30 seconds.
“Obviously very disappointed in the result, but again our boys are playing well and putting in massive efforts,” Northern head coach Alex Fatovic said in an NMU Sports Information release detailing the result. “We had great minutes off the bench and I’m proud of the way we continue to fight through all the adversity.
“We again were undone by one poor defending moment and had 20 attempts, eight on target, to get back in it. It doesn’t get any easier as we have the league leaders coming to town next week. Time to rest, recover and get back to winning ways.”
Actually, the GLIAC’s top two teams are coming to town this weekend as the Wildcats host first-place Wisconsin-Parkside at 3 p.m. Friday and second-place Purdue Northwest at 1 p.m. Sunday at the NMU Soccer Field.
On Sunday, Northern had the first scoring opportunity as Isaac Ward curled a ball into the box that de Vilmorin climbed the ladder up for a header, sending it inches by the left post, according to NMU SI.
The Huskies struck first as Owen Worsdell made a run down the left side before entering the box and using his left foot to strike the ball into the far corner.
At the half, the Wildcats outshot the Huskies 6-4, with three on target to the Huskies’ one. The Wildcats were awarded two corner kicks to the Huskies’ one, with the ‘Cats whistled for two fouls to the Huskies three.
The Wildcats came out of halftime on a good foot, generating a couple of great chances. Abascal first made a good run down the right side and got a quality shot on target, followed by a dangerous ball into the St. Cloud box that the defender had to smartly clear away.
The ‘Cats were awarded a goal kick, and the ball landed on Noah Johnson’s foot from just inside the box with plenty of time to strike. He got a solid connection but sent it high. Minutes later, de Vilmorin made a great run and struck the ball from outside the box, but sent another ball just over the bar.
The Wildcats kept pressing, as Tunney sent a scorcher that just missed the left post, then Abascal received a ball just outside of the goal area and pushed a header over the bar.
The Huskies would score with 20 seconds left to seal the deal.
Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is [email protected].
