Northern Michigan University’s Kaffie Kurz, right, kicks the ball during a game against Wisconsin-Parkside on Oct. 5, 2018, at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — Returning home could spell a welcome respite for the Northern Michigan University men’s soccer team, which is winless in five games this season but has only played one game at home.

The Wildcats host Purdue Northwest at 1 p.m. Friday and Davenport at 2 p.m. Sunday, both to be played at the NMU Soccer Field, locating on the Lake Superior side of the Superior Dome in Marquette.

NMU is 0-3-2 overall and 0-1-1 in the GLIAC after dropping a 3-0 decision at Saginaw Valley State on Friday and tying at Northwood 1-1 in double overtime on Sunday.

The Wildcats were selected fifth in the conference coaches preseason poll after reaching the quarterfinals in the GLIAC tournament last spring.

Most of that team has returned this fall, including four All-GLIAC players — senior midfielder Kaffie Kurz, a First Team selection; junior midfielder Ryan Palmbaum and sophomore defender Niko Scheibal, Second Team picks; and junior goalkeeper Alex Weaver, an Honorable Mention choice.

Palmbaum was the Wildcats’ best offensive threat last weekend, taking four shots against SVSU and nine vs. Northwood. He is tied for the most shots in the conference with 24, including eight on goal, and has one assist.

“I thought it was a great weekend for us last week,” NMU head coach David Poggi said in a university sports news release. “It gave a lot of our student-athletes the opportunity to play one of the best teams in the conference, in a conference where almost everyone is pretty good.

“We also had an overtime match where we came out pretty well. We limited scoring chances as we have been in earlier matches.”

Unfortunately, while the Wildcats have given up just eight goals in five matches, they have only scored two, by Cian Tunney and Keegan Schmidt.

“Purdue Northwest went through a lot of adversity last season and found themselves at the top of the GLIAC late in the season and Davenport was the team that knocked us out of the playoffs last year,” Poggi said. “Both matches will be a real challenge for us and we will try to manage the game and engage them how we want to play.”

NMU is 5-2 all-time against Purdue NW, with their most recent game a Northern win to start last spring’s season. It’s also the eighth meeting vs. Davenport, with the Panthers prevailing in NMU’s tournament quarterfinal game last spring on penalty kicks after they tied 1-1.

Fans can follow Wildcat teams on Twitter any time at @NMU_Wildcats.

For video and live statistics for each match, go to the NMU sports website at www.nmuwildcats.com and follow links to men’s soccer, the team schedule and icons at the right of each match.

Information prepared by NMU Athletics Communications intern Christopher Jehle and compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.