Kowalczyk scores first career Wildcat goal
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Wildcats opened its weekend trip downstate with a 1-1 draw to Davenport, thanks to a timely response from Tyler Kowalczyk..
After a scoreless opening half, both goals came in the blink of an eye.
Easton Lopez opened the scoring in the 65th minute, and not a minute later, Kowalczyk tied it up. Kowalczyk, only minutes on from his substitution, collected a rebound in the box to score his first career collegiate goal.
The Wildcats snapped a three-game losing streak and moved to 4-4-2 overall and 1-4-1 in conference play.
Cat Nips
- Tyler Kowalczyk scored his first career collegiate goal, securing a point on the road for the Wildcats
- Nils Cedergren made two saves on the evening
- Along with Cedergren, James Carr, Alessandro Scialanga, Luca Rub, Quint Van Roij, and Jan Hoffmann all played the full 90. Isaac Cervantes played 89
- Both teams registered 10 shots, with the ‘Cats holding a 4-3 edge in shots on frame
- Both teams recorded six corners
- In these two teams last six meetings, four of them have ended in a draw, and both teams have a win
How It Happened
After a mundane first half from both teams, the Panthers opened the scoring in the 65th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
The ‘Cats instantly responded as only a minute of game time passed before Kowalczyk netted the equalizer. An initial shot was taken by van den Berg, the keeper was unable to control the rebound, and the ball landed right to the foot of Kowalczyk who made no mistake in finding the yawning cage.
The ‘Cats had an opportunity to take the lead with just over a minute remaining, as NMU was awarded a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box from the left side. The strike bent its way onto goal, the keeper made the save, and the rebound to Tomasso Lami. Left-footed from just outside the six-yard box, it sailed just over the crossbar.
The ‘Cats then had a free kick of its own to defend with just 30 seconds left. The service was into the box, but the ‘Cats did well to clear the ball and finish out the game, as this one finished in a 1-1 draw.
Up Next
The ‘Cats round out its road trip with Saginaw Valley on Sunday at 2 PM.
