Niko Scheibal

MARQUETTE — Men’s soccer player Niko Scheibal of Northern Michigan University has been named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.

The freshman from Minnetonka, Minnesota, collected his first collegiate goal Sunday in the Wildcats’ 1-0 victory at previously undefeated Purdue Northwest in Hammond, Indiana.

Battling 30 mph winds, Scheibal scored in the 55th minute with a header in the box that got past GLIAC leading goalkeeper Raul Garrido.

He took a pass from his right that was initiated by teammate Emanuele Ancione before going to Kaffie Kurz and then to Scheibal.

“In a match with limited chances and it all riding on the first goal, Niko delivered in a way he does consistently as a defender,” NMU head coach David Poggi said. “With all he does, you can count on him to deliver. I feel confident every time he is in an opposing team’s box. He works hard in practice and it shows with how he is performing in big matches.”

This is the Wildcats’ first GLIAC Player of the Week award earned this season in men’s soccer.

NMU returns to the road for a GLIAC game at noon EST Saturday at Upper Iowa.

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