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KENOSHA, Wis. — Despite all its struggles early this season, the Northern Michigan University men’s soccer team achieved a program first on Sunday afternoon when it defeated Wisconsin-Parkside 2-1.

The Wildcats entered the game with just one victory this season, a decided underdog against the Rangers, who are 7-3-1 overall and 4-3 in the GLIAC.

NMU (2-6-2, 2-4-1) started fast, built a 2-0 lead and was able to protect it until the end.

Davenport's Mads Skaaning, below, pulls down Northern Michigan University's Brady Kronenburg as they battle for control of the ball late in the second half of their game played on Sept. 26 at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

“It was a great team win against a very good Wisconsin-Parkside program,” NMU head coach David Poggi said. “Brady Kronenburg’s brace gave us the confidence and willingness to do the extra little things today.

“Parkside came back strong after we got the second (goal), but we weathered the storm and got the three points.

“I’m happy for the guys. We are looking forward to coming back home and preparing for next weekend’s matches.”

Kronenburg, a senior forward, netted his first goal of the season and second of his collegiate career less than 3 1/2 minutes into the game off a pass from senior midfielder Kaffie Kurz.

Parkside took six shots in the first half, but the NMU defense didn’t allow any of them to be on target.

Northern continued to play the Rangers to a standstill until the 64th minute when Kronenburg struck again, and again off a pass from Kurz, to make it 2-0.

While Parkside pulled back within one less than five minutes later when Rade Novakovich scored his 12th goal this season, the NMU defense held strong when it mattered.

Wildcats goalkeeper Alex Weaver finished with one save, while Rangers counterpart Alexandre Durand made three stops.

Junior Ryan Palmbaum led Northern with four shots, three on target, while Kronenburg finished with three shots.

NMU returns home for a pair of matches in the next week. Northern hosts Northwood at 3 p.m. Friday and Saginaw Valley State at 2 p.m. Sunday as part of Wildcat Weekend.

Information prepared by NMU Athletics Communications intern Nicholas Rappuhn and edited by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.