The first half went back and forth with both teams failing to convert scoring chances, thus keeping the game scoreless.

In the 26th minute, the Wildcats suffered a massive blow as Jaziel Sainz de Vilmorin sustained an apparent lower-body injury that would force him to exit the game. He was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year last fall after starting 11 of Northern’s final 12 games and logging more than 1,000 minutes on the pitch. He finished fourth among Wildcats in scoring with a goal and an assist.

“We’re going to have to check on that, obviously Jaziel is a freshman of the year and he’s a big-time player for us,” NMU head coach Alex Fatovic said, “so I think that the concern is, let’s see what Jaziel’s MRI looks like. Hopefully, it’s not a tear or a sprain of some sort.”

Sunday’s second half saw much of the same back-and-forth action until the 73rd minute, when the Hornets would break the scoreless tie. The intensity of the game would dial up as the Wildcats pushed hard getting great opportunities in front of the net, but continued to come up just short.

Northern Michigan University’s Fernando Abascal walks the sideline after the Wildcats were awarded a throw-in during a college men’s soccer exhibition match played against Wisconsin-Superior and held at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Sunday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

As tension between the teams grew, the Hornets capitalized again to take a 2-0 lead in the 79th minute.

“We just have to do a better job of managing individual moments, and not letting it get too big, then obviously you’ve got to finish your chances,” Fatovic said. “We conceded one late against the run of play, but that’s college soccer.”

Even with a late penalty kick goal from Alessandro Scialanga that pulled the Wildcats within 2-1, NMU couldn’t get the equalizer before the final buzzer.

Though the Northern didn’t get the result it was looking for, Fatovic was pleased with the Wildcats’ performance.

“They dealt with a lot of pressure early on, really settled into the game,” the NMU coach said. “We had the better chances. And it just took like a really … individually poor moment to give away that first goal.

Northern Michigan University’s Alessandro Scialanga, right, looks for a place to move the ball out of the Wildcats defensive zone during a college men’s soccer exhibition match played against Wisconsin-Superior and held at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Sunday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

“But I was actually really pleased with (our) performance.”

With two weeks left in this current exhibition season, the Wildcats are looking ahead to another game at Wisconsin-Green Bay at 2 p.m. EDT Saturday. They also have their final spring game at St. Norbert in suburban Green Bay the following Saturday.

“Next week will be (NCAA Division I) play, it’ll be another really tough challenge for these guys,” Fatovic said. “But again, we’ve got a lot of young freshmen and sophomore guys out there that are getting real good experience in the spring.

“I think that’s what the spring season is all about.”

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.