Northern Michigan University Wildcats men’s soccer team plays first home game Sunday
Northern Michigan University's Ryan Palmbaum, top center, tries to head the ball over Northwood's Chase Clark during the first half of their men's soccer game played April 11 at the Superior Dome in Marquette. (Journal file photo)
MARQUETTE — The men’s soccer team at Northern Michigan University opened its season on the road Thursday, but is coming home for its first match at the NMU Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Wildcats were scheduled to play a first-time opponent, Judson University, in the western Chicago suburb of Elgin before returning north to host Quincy, another Illinois school, at 2 p.m. Sunday. Fans can come to the game to watch for free.
Fans can also follow Sunday’s action on the internet, at @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter, at https://nmuwildcats.com/links/0j1o2m for video and at https://nmuwildcats.com/sports/msoc/2021-22/boxscores/20210905_nbc4.xml for live statistics.
In past years, Northern has split a pair of games aga
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- Northern Michigan University’s Ryan Palmbaum, top center, tries to head the ball over Northwood’s Chase Clark during the first half of their men’s soccer game played April 11 at the Superior Dome in Marquette. (Journal file photo)
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- Northern Michigan University goalkeeper Alex Weaver runs up to boot the ball downfield during the second half of a men’s soccer game played against Northwood on April 11 at the Superior Dome in Marquette. (Journal file photo)
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- Kaffie Kurz
The Wildcats were picked fifth in the GLIAC preseason coaches poll after they reached the league playoffs for the fourth consecutive year and got to host a playoff game for the first time.
Northern Michigan University goalkeeper Alex Weaver runs up to boot the ball downfield during the second half of a men's soccer game played against Northwood on April 11 at the Superior Dome in Marquette. (Journal file photo)
That home playoff game ended in a 1-1 draw vs. Davenport, which won the game on penalty kicks and advanced in the playoffs. During regulation, Northern sophomore Shawn Clarke scored his first collegiate goal that evened the score in the 42nd minute.
NMU returns the majority of its squad from this past season’s late winter-spring campaign, which was delayed from its usual autumn season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All four Wildcats who earned All-GLIAC honors are back, including senior Kaffie Kurz, who was a First Team honoree along with recently being named 2021 Humanitarian of the Year as part of the Wildcat Awards as chosen by NMU Athletics.
Second Team honorees Ryan Palmbaum and Niko Scheibal also return. Palmbaum led the team in assists with four and shots on goal with 15 while tying for the team lead with three goals. Scheibal returns after leading a strong defensive corps.
In goal, Alex Weaver will appear again this season after being named GLIAC honorable mention. The junior played every minute in net for the Wildcats last season, boasting a 75.5 saves percentage.
Kaffie Kurz
Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.
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