Wildcats dominate possession, but unable to score
MARQUETTE, Mich. – In what could have been the windiest match the NMU soccer field has seen, the ‘Cats were kept off the scoresheet despite controlling play, and conceded a 2-0 loss to St. Cloud.
After winning the coin toss, the Wildcats elected to start with the wind and get momentum right out of the gate. That strategy seemed to be the right choice, as the ‘Cats dominated possession and offensive chances in the first half, outshooting the Huskies 9-1 with eight corners to two. The Huskies’ only shot on goal came from a questionable penalty kick decision, and Philip Caputo found the back of the net.
The ‘Cats then fought into the wind for the second half, and once again dominated chances, outshooting the Huskies 11-3 with four corner kicks to one. Tommaso Lami was awarded a penalty of his own for the Wildcats but was unable to capitalize on his opportunity, and the game remained at 0-1. With just minutes left, the Huskies doubled its lead off a counterattack, and the game would end 2-0.
“Full credit to my lads,” said head coach Alex Fatovic. “You’d have to see the game to know the true story. 20 shots to four, 12 corners to three, 70% possession, just everything but the finish. I’m not sure how we found a way to lose this one, but sometimes, it’s just not your day. But I have one of the most close, tough, and resilient groups of guys I’ve ever seen. We know we can play, we just need to find a way to get back on track in front of goal, and we will!”
The ‘Cats now fall to 4-3-1 overall and 1-3-0 in conference play, while the GLIAC-leading Huskies move to 5-2-0 overall and 4-0-0 in conference play, extending its six-game win streak
Cat Nips
- The Wildcats outperformed the Huskies in the stat column, outshooting the opposition 20-4 with three on target to two
- The ‘Cats held a 12-3 advantage in corner kicks
- The Huskies were whistled for 10 fouls to NMUs six, and were booked on three occasions to NMUs one booking
- Tommaso Lami and Alessandro Scialanga led NMU with four shot attempts
- Along with Cedergren, Alessandro Scialanga, Finn van den Berg, Quint Van Roij, and Xhoel Lutaj all played the full 90
- This marks the first home loss in program history to the Huskies, moving NMU to 2-1-1 all-time at home against St. Cloud
How It Happened
Within the first five minutes, Tommaso Lami took it in himself, as he dribbled into the 18-yard box and took the first shot of the game. Deflected by a St. Cloud defender, Lami was able to win a corner, but unfortunately, the ‘Cats weren’t able to get a foot on it.
The Wildcats won three corners before the 6th minute mark, yet Northern was unable to find the back of the net of its set pieces.
In the 28th minute, the official ruled that Philip Caputo was fouled inside the box by Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin. Caputo was rewarded with a penalty kick, and the Huskies scored, putting St. Cloud on the scoreboard.
Ramy Atia was given a yellow card after fouling an oncoming Davian Gumbs right outside of the 18-yard box. Xhoel Lutaj took the free kick, but the hit went just over the top post.
2nd Half
Lami drove into the box and was brought down, earning his team a penalty kick of their own. The number 10 stepped into his shot and fired toward the bottom right corner, but the outstretched hand of Atia found the ball before it crossed the line, keeping the Wildcats at bay.
The Wildcats continued to dominate possession and chances, but it was Caputo in the 82nd minute who scored from the halfway mark of the field, using the wind to his advantage and catching Cedergren off his line.
Up Next
The Wildcats round out its four-game home stand when they host Roosevelt University on Sunday, October 6th, at 3 p.m.