Northern Michigan University’s Teun van Gansewinkel, front right, jumps to make a kick before Lawrence Tech's Jon Goenaga, left, can get to the ball during their game played at the NMU Soccer Field in Marquette last Saturday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — The Northern Michigan University men’s soccer team preserved its tenuous winning record by pulling off a scoreless tie on the road Thursday at Lewis University.

“(I’m) extremely proud of the group,” Wildcats head coach Alex Fatovic said in an NMU Sports Information news release detailing the result. “They battled all game long for a deserved point on the road.

“We had our chances and need to produce more in the attack, but when you can defend and lock down teams of this caliber on the road, we know we’re in every game.

“Now on to leg two of the trip against Lake Erie on Sunday for a game that won’t be any easier, but I know our squad will be up for the challenge.”

This was Northern’s third straight draw against this powerhouse from the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which included another scoreless tie in Romeoville two years ago.

NMU is now 1-0-2, having also played Northwood to the same 0-0 tie on Sept. 4 and defeating Lawrence Tech 2-1 last Saturday.

Sunday’s game against Lake Erie, a former member of NMU’s Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, will be played in Painesville, Ohio, at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Storm are 0-0-3 but ranked eighth in the Midwest region for seeding purposes when the NCAA Division II tournament comes up at the end of the season.

After scoring a total of five goals in two games against GLIAC members Purdue Northwest and Wisconsin-Parkside, Midwest No. 6 Lewis couldn’t get anything by Wildcats goalkeeper Asaf Kristal.

This was his second shutout with a season-high five saves as Lewis had gone nine games straight scoring at least one goal.

For the Flyers, netminder Yoan Zagorov made two saves on NMU shots on goal.

Lewis held a 12-7 edge in overall shots, including 5-2 in shots on goal, keeping Northern without a shot attempt while taking four of its own in the final 24 minutes. Twice Wildcats defenders blocked shots in that span.

The home team also took five of the game’s six corner kicks as NMU was called for more fouls, 17-10, and had the only two yellow cards whistled, both in the final three minutes.

Forward Teun Van Gansewinkel led Northern’s offense, recording three shots, including one on target. Teammate Tyler Kowalczyk came off the bench and made an impact, recording two shots and one on target, while logging 54 minutes, the most of any substitute.

Story contents based on Northern Michigan University Sports Information press release reviewing the game. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.