The Ashland University men's soccer team had chances to score, but was not able to equalize against a quality Northern Michigan side as the Wildcats took a 1-0 decision on Friday (Sept. 28) night at Ferguson Field.
Northern Michigan (6-1-1, 3-0-1 GLIAC), which came into the game ranked No. 21 in the country, scored the lone goal of the game in the 28th minute. Luca Lippert played a long ball into the box that Callum Olpin chipped across the area and Ben Hoffman headed into the net.
Both teams finished with five shots in each half as the Eagles (1-6-1, 0-4 GLIAC) were able to establish good spells of possession.
Early in the game, sophomore Justin Libertowski nearly opened the scoring as he took a clever touch to settle a ball at his feet, but his powerful shot sailed just over the bar.
In the second half, the Eagles got behind the NMU defense a couple times, putting one shot in the back of the net before having waved off for offside. Junior Alex Majors had a chance with under 10 minutes to play, but his shot just missed.
Sophomore keeper Dimitrius Karousos made three saves in the game while NMU's Valentin Kliebe stopped four shots to keep the clean sheet – the Wildcats' fifth of the season.
The Eagles will look to get in the win column on Sunday (Sept. 30) when they play host to Northwood at Ferguson Field. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
AU
MSOC/BB