UP Gazette

The Northern Michigan University men's soccer team concluded its regular season with a 3-0 victory over Purdue Northwest, securing six points over senior weekend. The win brings the Wildcats' overall record to 7-4-5 and their conference record to 6-4-2, resulting in a third-place finish in the GLIAC conference. This marks both the most wins and best finish in program history.

Head coach Alex Fatovic commented on the significance of the achievement for his team. "This program means a lot to me and my family. To see the guys grow, not only in the last four years, but even just the last few weeks how we turned a really bad weekend into three straight wins… I'm just so proud of the guys… We're third in the conference, and we're proud of that, but every day is a climbing day for us, and they definitely had another climb today."

Luca Rosen scored two goals during the match, bringing his season total to nine. This moves him into second place for single-season goals in program history, surpassing Tommaso Lami's eight from 2022 and placing him one goal behind Sam Popp's record of ten set in 2018. Ian Weimer added a third goal for NMU—his third consecutive game scoring—while Fatovic praised his forwards' recent form: "When [Rosen] gets isolated, he's going to have a chance to score, and when the combination [of Weimer and Van Gansewinkel] is working on the far side of the field, [Rosen] is going to be wide open… And Ian Weimer getting on the scoresheet again, he's just getting better every game, and his great form has allowed someone like Luca to go and get his goals."

Senior players made notable contributions during their final home game. Jan Hoffmann started and played an hour; Alessandro Scialanga played 84 minutes while helping secure a clean sheet; Triston Nelson provided an assist off the bench; Max Rebori contributed as well; goalkeeper Harry Gray replaced Asaf Kristal late in the match; senior Mads Huegel supported from off-field. Fatovic said: "I'm really proud of the seniors, especially the big ones in Jan [Hoffmann] and Alessandro [Scialanga]. I got to spend the last ten seconds with Jan; we were trying to get him back in, and I'm glad he didn't [end up going back in], because I got to thank him for all the hard work he's put in… To see the seniors playing at this level at the end of their careers, it means a lot, because this whole group has put in time and energy, and I am really grateful of that."

With this result, NMU enters postseason play as GLIAC’s third seed and will host Purdue Northwest again next weekend. The match was physical with nine yellow cards issued along with a red card given to Demian Martinez from Purdue Northwest—making him unavailable for Sunday’s contest. Coach Fatovic noted: "We've been in [playoff-type atmospheres] for past couple weeks now so it's really no different for us. One game at a time one practice at a time it's fight every game in GLIAC."

During Sunday's match Rosen assisted Van Gansewinkel early before scoring himself after receiving passes from Kowalczyk (first half) then Rutledge (second half). The Wildcats extended their lead after Martinez’s red card reduced Purdue Northwest to ten men; Nelson assisted Weimer who sealed victory.

Northern Michigan will host its second-ever GLIAC postseason home match next Sunday at NMU Soccer Field.