Emanuele Ancione

MARQUETTE — Whether or not any players collide on the pitch, the men’s soccer teams from Northern Michigan University and Wisconsin-Parkside are on a collision course when they finish the regular season in the Superior Dome at 1 p.m. today.

Both teams are working on four-game winning streaks and are 4-2 and tied for second place in the GLIAC. This final game will determine the regular-season runner-up to 6-0 Saginaw Valley State, with the loser possibly falling as far down as fifth place if Davenport and Purdue Northwest both win and tiebreakers don’t go the team’s way.

With opening kick set for 1 p.m., fans can follow the team at @NMU_Wildcats on Twitter, find live statistics of the game at https://nmuwildcats.com/ sports/msoc/2020-21/ boxscores/20210417_ wr9d.xml and video at https://nmuwildcats.com/ links/0j1o2m.

The Wildcats kept their winning streak going at four games and shutout string at three contests with a 1-0 home victory over Northwood on Sunday. Emanuele Ancione scored the game’s lone goal, two games after he assisted on the only goal of a similar 1-0 win at Purdue Northwest.

Ancione was inside the box when he took a pass from Ryan Palmbaum and knocked the ball past the Timberwolves goalkeeper who was closing on him.

In addition, the NMU defense allowed just three total shots while netminder Alex Weaver notched his third straight shutout with two saves.

“Over our last three matches we have gained confidence,” Northern head coach David Poggi said in an NMU Sports Information news release. “I am pleased with the improvements I’ve seen this season. As we get closer to the end of the regular season we have to focus our attention on this important match in front of us.

“Parkside is last year’s GLIAC regular season and tournament champions. They went to the NCAA tournament last season and are a very good opponent. They are a talented team and well coached.

“Both teams will be cautious of each other at the beginning, but I think it will open up and be a good match to finish the regular season.

“I also want to recognize Kaffie Kurz. He has had a big role on this year’s team and been a big part of our progress. We were happy to see him recognized for his performance with a GLIAC Honorable Mention this week. As a midfielder, it’s not very often to get recognized, so it’s significant that he received that honor.”

Kurz joined Ancione in earning an assist on the goal scored by Niko Scheibal in the win at Purdue NW.

In the four-year history of the program, the Wildcats have never beaten Parkside with an 0-3-1 record. That includes 4-2 and 3-2 losses to the Rangers in their most recent season, the fall of 2019.

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