MARQUETTE — The Northern Michigan University men’s soccer team returns home this weekend seeking to even its overall record and move above the .500 mark in the GLIAC with games against Northwood and Saginaw Valley State.

The Wildcats (3-5, 2-2 GLIAC) host the Timberwolves at the NMU Soccer Field at 4 p.m. Friday before taking on the Cardinals at noon Sunday.

NMU has never beaten either team in its fourth year of existence, though the ‘Cats tied SVSU twice last season. Northern also lost 1-0 at Northwood in the GLIAC Tournament quarterfinals a year ago. This season, Saginaw Valley is 5-2-1 overall and 3-1 in the GLIAC, while the T’wolves are 4-3-1 and 2-2.

Last weekend, the Wildcats lost their third and fourth road games in four tries this season, the past three results each being 1-0 setbacks. NMU fell at Ashland on Friday and Davenport on Sunday. However, Northern has won three of four home games.

Because of their team’s stingy defense, both NMU goalkeepers are among GLIAC leaders statistically. Sophomore Patrick Restum has 23 saves, third in the league, while freshman Jonas Vorbau has allowed five goals, also third in the GLIAC.

The Wildcats’ 11 yellow cards called by referees is second-lowest in the conference, and the only team with fewer is Davenport with nine, though the Panthers have played two fewer games. Comparatively, Ashland has played one less game than NMU and has already been called for 26 yellows.

Senior Luca Lippert leads the Wildcats and is in the top four in the GLIAC with three goals, seven points, 20 shots overall and 12 shots on goal. The shots on goal are tied for most in the league and goals tied for second.

Online video and live statistics will be available for both games, while updates on the team are always available on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NMU_Wildcats.

Video for each game is available at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/nmu/ while live stats for Friday’s game will be at http://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/msoc/2019-20/boxscores/20191004_a28p.xml and live stats for Sunday are at http://www.nmuwildcats.com/sports/msoc/2019-20/boxscores/20191006_u87r.xml.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.