Only one shot in the first half for Wildcats
TIFFIN, Ohio — The Northern Michigan University men’s soccer team closed out the opening weekend of regular season play with a 2-0 loss to nationally ranked Tiffin University.
The #25 Dragons took the lead on a decisive strike from Zach Garcia in the 27th minute and would hold that advantage into the halftime whistle. The ‘Cats were outshot 9-1 in the opening 45, including committing 11 fouls to five, and whistled for two yellow cards to one.
“I think the guys struggled in the first half to adapt to a really good team who were athletic and posed a lot of challenges, and we really didn’t play well as the half went on,” added head coach Alex Fatovic post-game. “We were outshot, didn’t have much possession of the ball, but we changed shape, and I thought the second half was fantastic. Obviously disappointed in the result, you never want to lose, but if we play the way we’re capable and the way we played in that second half, I’m not concerned. “
The ‘Cats scored late in the second half to tie the match from deep into the goalkeeper box, but it was whistled back and immediately disallowed due to an offside call. Along with the disallowed goal, the ‘Cats hit a post and missed an open net opportunity, generating plenty of good offensive chances to not only tie the match but pull ahead.
While the result on the scoresheet wasn’t there, head coach Fatovic was pleased with how his team responded in the second half and was proud of how his team played against one of the top teams in the region.
“In the first thirty minutes or so [of the second half] we had a ton of chances: hit the bar, missed an open net, and a goal called back. So we were in it, generating chances, and we felt very comfortable. The momentum was going our way, then they scored from the run of play on a breakout when we were pushing numbers.”
The Dragons doubled its advantage off a header from Noah Purtz after Callum Ellington picked up a rebound and played a pass into the box. The final whistle would sound, ending the game at 2-0 in favor of the Dragons.
Five ‘Cats played the full ninety-minute shift today: goalkeeper Asaf Kristal and the back line of Davian Gumbs, Marcos Gallardo Rozano, Noah Girard, and James Carr. Midfielder Julius Lemm and forward Luca Rosen were the only others to record 80+ minutes, both turning in 86 and 85, respectively. Goalkeeper Kristal made six saves from eight on target.
“I was really proud of the efforts today. Playing a top-25 team, a team who is always in the national tournament, and a team that is going to be very, very good. In the end, although disappointed with the result, really pleased with our progress, efforts, and camaraderie.”
The ‘Cats used three bench players, each of whom turned in solid shifts: Noah Preston-Watkins logged 63 minutes up front, Tyler Kowalczyk added just shy of 40 in the midfield, and Asa Dean logged half an hour while recording a shot on target.
“Going back to the second half, we were playing really well. I thought the back line was settled in, I thought the guys in the midfield were powering the engine, and I thought the guys up front were doing a good job, so I didn’t see a need to make major changes. There were some really good performances today: I thought Luca Rosen did well at times, I thought Sergio Cano Castro was fantastic, Noah Girard was very, very good, Julius Lemm in the midfield and Tyler Kowalczyk off the bench were good as well, and Davian Gumbs played fantastic.”
On the whole, the Wildcats were outshot 5-16, with one shot on target compared to eight, and both teams had five corner opportunities. Both sides were shown three yellow cards, with Gumbs, Girard, and Pilgrim receiving bookings. A lot of stoppages in today’s match, as the teams were whistled for a combined 10 offside calls, with seven of those going against the Wildcats, and a combined 30 fouls.
NMU now looks to the coming weekend, as the Wildcats are in Marquette for the 2026 home opener, squaring off against Lake Erie College on Thursday, September 3, at 3 p.m. from the NMU Soccer Field.
