Eight saves in two Wildcat victories
MARQUETTE, Mich. — Senior captain goalkeeper Asaf Kristal has been selected as the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week, announced by the conference today.
Kristal (Tel Aviv, Israel) had an excellent weekend in goal for the ‘Cats, posting back-to-back shutouts in a 2-0 win over Purdue Northwest and a 1-0 win over Parkside.
Kristal made three saves in the effort on Friday, and followed that up with five saves on Sunday, turning aside chance after chance. On the weekend, Kristal had 31 shot attempts fired his way, none of which got past him.
“Well-deserved award for our other captain,” added head coach Alex Fatovic, who saw fellow captain Luca Rosen earn GLIAC Forward of the Week honors after his performance last week. “Just when we needed it, we’ve gotten three huge shutouts in a row, due in massive part to the steady play of Asaf. Great job, Asaf!”
With the clean sheet on Friday, Kristal broke the NMU career shutouts record, and adding another to the tally continues to solidify his place at the top of the record book. Kristal and the Wildcats have not allowed a goal against in three consecutive games and over 290 minutes of active playing time.
After the weekend, the ‘Cats sit alone atop the GLIAC conference standings, three points clear of Roosevelt and Saginaw. NMU now gears up for its final regular-season road trip for 2026, heading to Parkside and Purdue Northwest on Friday, October 9, and Sunday, October 11.
